Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating four projects worth Rs 83 crore of the first Jyotirlinga Somnath temple today. Along with this, he will also lay the foundation stone of the Parvatiji temple to be built near the main temple. The inauguration and foundation stone laying program has started with the Shlokachar by the scholars of Sanskrit University. PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and LK Advani virtually joined the program.
PM Modi started the program with Jai Somnath Chanting and said that even though I am connected by video conference, I am feeling myself at the feet of Lord Somnath. It is my good fortune that I have got an opportunity to serve this holy place. I bow at the feet of Iron Man Sardar Patel because he was the one who associated the Somnath temple with the independent spirit of independent India.
Somnath is such a place, which thousands of years ago our sages had described as Prabhat Kshetra i.e. the field of light and knowledge. It is calling to the world even today that truth cannot be defeated by Lies. Faith cannot be crushed by terror. How many times this temple was broken in the history of hundreds of years. The idols were dismantled, attempts were made to erase their existence. But, the number of times it was dropped, it rose the same number of times.
Lord Somnath temple today is not only India but the world is a trust and assurance. Those who are destroying forces, thinking of building an empire on the basis of terror, may dominate for some time in some period, but their existence is never permanent. They cannot suppress humanity for long. As true as this was when some terrorists were demolishing Somnath, it is equally true even today, when the world is apprehensive of such ideologies.
We all know that the journey from the reconstruction of the Somnath temple to the grand development is not just a result of a few years or decades. It is the result of centuries of strong will and ideological continuity. People like Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel made difficulties for this campaign even after independence. Today, in the form of Ram Mandir, a lit pillar of pride of new India is standing. Our thinking should be that by learning from history, to improve the present and to create a new future.
When I talk about India Jodo Movement, its meaning is not limited to just geographical and ideological connectivity, it is also an opportunity to connect us with our past. Rajendra Prasad had said that centuries ago India used to be a storehouse of gold and silver. A large part of the world's gold was then in the temples of India. The construction of Somnath will be completed when the grand building of prosperous India will have been ready on its foundation. Its symbol will be the Somnath temple. This dream of our first President is a great inspiration for all of us. Friends, the essence of history and faith for us is everyone's cooperation – development of all – the faith of all and efforts of all.
Now it is the responsibility of all of us to strengthen it continuously. Today the world is getting attracted to India's yoga, philosophy, spirituality and culture. There has also been an awareness of connecting with our roots in the new generation. There is potential in our tourism and spiritual tourism. The country today is building modern infrastructure, reviving ancient glory. The example of the Ramayana circuit is before us. Many Ram devotees of the country and the world are getting information about new places related to the life of Lord Rama through this circuit. We are getting a chance to experience this by visiting these places, how Ram is the Ram of the whole of India. Buddha Circuit is facilitating visiting and tourism to Buddhist followers from all over the world in India.
Our Ministry of Tourism is developing tourist circuits on 15 different themes under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. These are also creating opportunities for tourism and development in many neglected areas of the country. The vision of our ancestors was so much that they worked to connect the far-flung areas with our faith gave a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, when we were able, modern technology and resources came, we left these areas as inaccessible. Our mountainous regions are a great example of this. Today the country is reducing the distances of these holy pilgrimages.
In 2014, the country had similarly announced the PRASAD scheme for the development of pilgrimage places. Under this scheme, about 40 pilgrimage places are being developed in the country. Out of which 15 projects have been completed. In Gujarat also, work is going on under this scheme on 3 projects worth more than 100 crores. Attention is also being given to connect Somnath and other tourist spots and cities in Gujarat.
Efforts are made that tourists come to visit one place and then visit other places as well. 19 iconic tourist destinations across the country are being identified and developed. These will give energy to the tourism industry. Today, through tourism, the country is not only connecting the common man but is also progressing itself. In 2013, the country moved from 65th place in tourism to 34th place in 2019.
A one-and-a-half km long walkway has been built on the Arabian Sea on the banks of the Somnath temple at a cost of Rs 45 crore. It has been designed on the lines of Marine Drive in Mumbai. With this, the devotees visiting the temple will also be able to see the beautiful view of the sea. The walkway is also curved along the ocean like Marine Drive in Mumbai.
New temples have been built around the Somnath temple over the years. In this, a grand Shri Ram temple has been constructed, preparations are underway to build Golokdham and now it has been decided to build a grand Shakti Peeth Parvatiji temple in the Somnath temple complex at a cost of Rs 30 crore. It is believed that the temple of Goddess Parvati was situated near the Yagya Mandap. Due to this, the temple is being constructed in the same place.
This exhibition centre has been set up in the Somnath complex. The ancient fragmentary remains of the Somnath temple are kept here. Apart from this, literature depicting the historical events of the Somnath temple has also been kept for exhibition here. This museum will acquaint the devotees with the glorious past of Adi Jyotirlinga Somnath Temple.
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