PM Modi inaugrates & lays foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath, Gujarat

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath, Gujarat on August 20, 2021, via video conferencing.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani, and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel were also present on the occasion.

PM Narendra Modi emphasized the need to strengthen religious tourism in the country. "We need to strengthen religious tourism. This also provide employment to youth. They will also get to know about our past," PM said while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of multiple projects in Gujarat.

PM Modi said destructive and terror forces can become dominant for some time, but their existence is not permanent. "Forces that strive for destruction and those who follow the ideology of creating empires out of terror can dominate for some time, but their existence is never permanent as they cannot suppress humanity forever," he added.

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While stressing that the Somnath Temple represents the identity of new India, PM Modi said that the Somnath Temple was broken several times in the history of hundreds of years, the idols here were desecrated, every effort was made to erase its existence. But every time it was made to fall, it rose again.

"I express my sincere gratitude to all members of Somnath trust and Somanth devotees across the world who made this possible," the Prime Minister said.

The Somnath Promenade has been developed under PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme at a total cost of over Rs 47 crore.

The Somnath Exhibition Centre, developed in the premises of Tourist Facilitation Centre, displays the exhibits from dismantled parts of old Somnath temple and its sculptures having Nagar style temple architecture of old Somnath.

The reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath has been completed by Shree Somnath Trust with a total outlay of Rs 3.5 crore. This temple is also referred to as Ahilyabai Temple since it was built by Queen Ahilyabai of Indore, when she found that the old temple was in ruins. The entire old temple complex has been holistically redeveloped for the safety of pilgrims and with augmented capacity.

The temple is proposed to be constructed with a total outlay of Rs 30 crore. This will include temple construction in Sompura Salats Style, development of Garbha Griha and Nritya Mandap.

Speaking at the event, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupstated, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a new vision to the development of Somnath in last ten years."

"The developments at the Somnath will attract tourists at the temple," Amit Shah said.

(With inputs from agencies)