- ‘Chief Minister participated in the Somnath Swabhiman festival organized in the capital Raipur’
- ‘On this day 75 years ago, the reconstruction of Somnath Temple was completed.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today participated in the “Somnath Swabhiman Parv” organized at Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple premises located at Mahadev Ghat in the capital Raipur. On this occasion, along with public representatives and devotees, he observed the puja-archana performed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who was virtually connected from Somnath Temple in Gujarat, and listened to his address. During this, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared his views with the countrymen on various topics including the golden history of Somnath Temple, attacks by foreign invaders, the temple’s reconstruction journey, the resolution of the present government to preserve and promote the centers of faith.
Addressing the program, Chief Minister Shri Sai extended his best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of “Somnath Swabhiman Parv”. He said that on this day 75 years ago, the reconstruction work of Somnath Temple was completed and this historic occasion is being celebrated as Swabhiman Parv across the country.
He said that Somnath Temple was attacked many times by external invaders, but the faith and tradition of the temple could not be destroyed. Shri Sai said that during the first attack, the priests and devotees of the temple did not leave the temple and sacrificed their lives. The Chief Minister said that their sacrifice is still inscribed in golden letters in history.
Mr. Sai said that after India’s independence, the then Home Minister, Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, pledged to rebuild the Somnath Temple. He added that despite widespread opposition, the country’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, visited the Somnath Temple and participated in the inauguration ceremony of the renovated temple. Praising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Mr. Sai said that under his leadership, the country’s eternal culture and spiritual traditions have gained new glory. He said that today, major pilgrimage sites, temples, and religious sites across the country are rapidly developing. The Chief Minister said that extensive development work is underway at Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, Mahakal in Ujjain, and the Somnath Temple.
The Chief Minister said that the Chhattisgarh government is also continuously working to develop the state’s religious and cultural sites. He informed that temples dedicated to Goddess Mother Goddesses in the state are being developed through the Shaktipeeth Scheme. Similarly, the Bhoramdev Mahadev Temple in Kabirdham district has received an approval of ₹148 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, and work is underway to expand and beautify tourism facilities there. He said that Chhattisgarh is the birthplace of Mother Kaushalya and the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram. After a long struggle by Sanatanis, the idol of Lord Shri Ram Lalla was consecrated in the Ayodhya temple. The Chief Minister said that through the state government’s Shri Ram Lalla Darshan Yojana, more than 40,000 devotees have visited Ayodhya to have darshan of Lord Shri Ram, and this scheme is continuing
At the end of his address, the Chief Minister called on everyone to pledge to strengthen brotherhood, social harmony, and national unity.
Addressing the program, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, work is continuously underway to preserve and promote Sanatan culture and places of faith across the country. He said that our leaders are also working to protect religious sites in the state and connect people with faith through various schemes. Revenue Minister Tankaram Verma said that the Somnath Temple is a symbol of the country’s culture, glory, and self-respect. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India is restoring its cultural heritage. He said that after the Naxal eradication in the state, tourism and the development of religious sites have gained new momentum. Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam said that the Somnath Temple is a major center of faith for Sanatanis. He said that despite numerous attacks over a thousand years of history, no one has been able to shake the faith of Sanatan culture, and that it never will.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai reached Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple located at Mahadev Ghat in the capital Raipur. He prayed to Lord Shiva and wished for the happiness and prosperity of the people of the state. Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, Revenue Minister Shri Tankaram Verma, MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Disabled Finance and Development Corporation Shri Lokesh Kavadia, Mayor Mrs. Meenal Choubey, District Panchayat President Shri Naveen Agarwal and public representatives were present on this occasion.