PM Modi on Somnath Temple: A Thousand Years of Faith, Resilience, and Revival

1,000 Years Later: PM Modi Reflects on Somnath Temple’s Endurance, Faith, and India’s Unbroken Civilisational Spirit

Marking a millennium since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 AD, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reflected on the shrine’s enduring legacy, calling it a powerful symbol of India’s civilisational and spiritual resilience. In a deeply reflective blog, PM Modi described Somnath not as a story of destruction, but as a testament to faith that refused to fade despite repeated attempts to erase it.

Standing today in renewed splendour on the western coast of Gujarat at Prabhas Patan, the Somnath Temple continues to inspire millions. According to the Prime Minister, its survival over the last 1,000 years represents the unbreakable spirit of India — a civilisation that has faced adversity yet consistently rebuilt itself with conviction and hope.

A Millennium Since the First Attack

PM Modi noted that the first destruction of the Somnath Temple took place exactly 1,000 years ago, in 1026 AD. Since then, the shrine has witnessed repeated attacks by foreign invaders, many of whom sought demolition rather than devotion. Yet, despite these attempts, Somnath endured — rebuilt time and again by generations who refused to let faith be extinguished.

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The Prime Minister emphasized that history should not define Somnath by the acts of those who tried to destroy it, but by the resilience of those who rebuilt it. In his words, the temple’s story is defined by “the unbreakable courage of crores of children of Bharat Mata.”

An Eternal Proclamation of India’s Soul

Describing the Somnath Temple as an “eternal proclamation of India’s soul,” PM Modi highlighted its unique spiritual significance. The shrine holds a revered place as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas mentioned in the Dwadasha Jyotirling Stotram, drawing devotion from millions across centuries.

Beyond its religious importance, Somnath also played a vital role in India’s cultural and economic history. Located on the coast, it symbolized a society with maritime strength, where traders and seafarers carried stories of its grandeur far beyond India’s shores.

Faith Beyond Boundaries

One of the most striking reflections in PM Modi’s writing is Somnath’s ability to unite people across faiths and traditions. He recalled that since ancient times, the temple has drawn seekers from diverse backgrounds, bound together by shared reverence rather than division.

Citing a Jain monk from centuries ago, Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya, the Prime Minister noted how Somnath inspired spiritual reflection beyond religious boundaries. The monk’s verse, recited after praying at the shrine, spoke of liberation from worldly afflictions — a message that transcends time and belief.

According to PM Modi, even today, Somnath holds the same power to awaken something profound in the human mind and soul.

The Sea as a Witness to History

In a powerful metaphor, the Prime Minister described the sea at Somnath as a silent witness to history. A thousand years after the first attack, the waves continue to crash against the shore with the same intensity, symbolizing endurance and renewal.

Just like the waves that rise again and again, Somnath has repeatedly risen from the ruins. PM Modi wrote that while aggressors of the past have faded into obscurity — remembered only as footnotes of destruction — the temple stands radiant, reminding the world of an eternal spirit that could not be diminished.

From Destruction to Hope

PM Modi stressed that the legacy of the Somnath Temple is ultimately one of hope. While hatred and fanaticism may destroy momentarily, he wrote, faith and conviction possess the power to create for eternity.

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The Prime Minister’s reflections position Somnath not merely as a historical monument, but as a living symbol of India’s civilisational continuity. Its survival is proof that ideas rooted in faith, unity, and resilience can outlast violence and time itself.

A Living Symbol for Future Generations

As 2026 marks a millennium since the first attack, PM Modi’s message serves as a reminder that Somnath’s relevance lies not only in its past, but in what it represents for the future. The temple continues to inspire strength, unity, and spiritual reflection in a rapidly changing world.

Somnath stands today not as a scar of history, but as a song of hope — echoing across centuries, seas, and souls — affirming that India’s spirit, like the temple itself, endures.

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