Somnath (Gujarat), Jan 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led ‘Shaurya Yatra’, a ceremonial procession organised to honour those who laid down their lives defending the Somnath temple in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district.
The yatra, being organised as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, featured a procession of 108 horses, reflecting valour and sacrifice.
A large number of people and devotees gathered on both sides of the yatra route to greet the prime minister.
Standing on a specially designed vehicle, Mr. Modi, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, waved at the crowd during the one-km-long yatra.
Thousands of devotees thronged the Somnath temple complex on Saturday (January 10, 2026), staying out well past midnight, braving winter chills, as dazzling fireworks, decorations and a drone show combined with religious fervour drew an unprecedented crowd to the ancient shrine.
The crowd, which peaked late in the evening shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the temple as part of Somnath Swabhiman Parv, included people of all ages, local residents as well as long-distance travellers.
Mr. Modi on Saturday (January 10, 2026) evening participated in ‘Omkar Mantra’ chanting at the Somnath temple, had ‘darshan’, and also witnessed a grand drone show featuring an assemblage of 3,000 drones, matching the scale of the gathering on ground.
Preeti Karelia, along with 24 other women, travelled from Mumbai in neighbouring Maharashtra just to witness the celebrations. (Agencies)
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