Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 'Shaurya Yatra' in Somnath, Gujarat, on Sunday, honoring those who defended the Somnath Temple. The Yatra, a ceremonial procession featuring 108 horses, was organized as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. The event commemorates 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni's invasion of the Somnath Temple in 1026.

The 'Shaurya Yatra' is a symbolic procession that represents the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that preserved Somnath Temple through centuries of adversity. The procession of 108 horses reflected valour and sacrifice. Thousands of devotees from across the country participated in the procession.

During the Yatra, PM Modi, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, waved to the crowds gathered along the route. The one-kilometer-long procession stretched from Shankh Circle to Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle. People welcomed PM Modi with flowers and chants of "Har Har Mahadev" and "Jai Somnath". Young priests, or 'rushi kumars', walked alongside Modi's vehicle playing 'damru', an instrument of Lord Shiva. At one point, Modi borrowed two damrus from a priest and played them. Artists from across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, performed traditional dances on stages erected along the route.

PM Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose statue is installed near the temple. He also paid tributes to Veer Hamirji Gohil, who sacrificed his life defending the Somnath Temple against the Delhi Sultanate's army in 1299 AD. Modi offered prayers at the Somnath Temple, participating in a puja amid Vedic chants by the chief priest.

The Somnath Swabhiman Parv remembers the countless citizens of India who made sacrifices to defend the Somnath Temple. Despite multiple attempts at destruction, the Somnath Temple stands as a symbol of resilience, faith, and national pride. The event highlights the temple's history of repeated destruction and restoration, underscoring its spiritual significance.