Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday flagged off the historic Somnath Swabhiman Yatra 2026, marking Odisha’s participation in a nationwide pilgrimage initiative commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of the first attack on the Somnath Temple and the 75th year of its post-Independence reconstruction. More than 1,100 devotees boarded a special train from Bhubaneswar to the revered Somnath shrine in Gujarat.
Flagging off the train, Majhi described the pilgrimage as a journey of faith, devotion, and cultural pride rather than merely a rail trip. He said the yatra symbolises the spiritual connection between Lord Jagannath in the East and Lord Somnath in the West, reflecting India’s enduring traditions of unity and religious consciousness.
The pilgrimage is part of the year-long Somnath Swabhiman Parv being organised across the country by the Union Ministry of Culture. The programme commemorates two significant milestones in the history of the famed temple—the 1,000th anniversary of the first invasion of Somnath by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 and the 75th platinum jubilee of the temple’s reconstruction after Independence under the inspiration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Large-scale pilgrimages are being organised from different states as part of the national campaign. Similar yatras have already seen more than 1,000 devotees depart from Lucknow and around 1,300 pilgrims from Delhi for Prabhas Patan, where the Somnath Temple is located.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” has found expression at Somnath through the development of modern tourism and pilgrimage infrastructure. He highlighted the creation of museums, exhibition halls, sea-facing pathways, and other facilities under the PRASHAD scheme, which have transformed the temple complex into a major spiritual and tourist destination.
In a symbolic gesture aimed at strengthening cultural ties between Odisha and Somnath, holy water from Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar’s Ekamra Kshetra and sacred soil from the historic Kedaragauri Temple were sent with the pilgrims as offerings to Lord Somnath.
Every devotee participating in the yatra has been provided with a booklet carrying the sacred chant “Om Namah Shivaya”. During their stay at Somnath, pilgrims will take part in rituals such as Rudrabhishek, Akhand Omkara Japa, and evening aarti. They will also witness a light-and-sound show showcasing the temple’s rich history and legacy.
Speaking on the occasion, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the yatra carries not only pilgrims but also the spiritual heritage of Odisha. “The sacred water of Bindusagar is reaching Somnath Dham, carrying the devotion and blessings of the people of Odisha,” he said.
Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh attended the flag-off ceremony, while Director of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Dr Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya delivered the welcome address.
The initiative is expected to further strengthen cultural and spiritual ties between Odisha and Gujarat while reinforcing the message of national unity through a shared civilisational heritage.
