Damroo in hand, 108 horses in procession: PM Modi takes part in ‘Shaurya Yatra’ at Somnath; offers puja | India News

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took part in a ‘Shaurya Yatra’ at Somnath, marking a four-day national commemoration observing 1,000 years of uninterrupted faith and resilience since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple in January 1026 by Mahmud of Ghazni.PM Modi also paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who made significant efforts in the restoration of the Somnath Temple following Independence.

He also paid floral tributes to the countless warriors who laid down their lives defending the temple.Visuals from the event showed the Prime Minister standing in an open, flower-adorned vehicle as the procession moved through the town. He was joined by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel and deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi.

During the yatra, the Prime Minister was seen blowing a conch shell and greeting crowds that had gathered along the route. The Shaurya Yatra forms part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, a symbolic observance highlighting courage, sacrifice and the enduring spirit that ensured Somnath’s survival through centuries of destruction and rebuilding.PM Modi also offered prayers at Somnath Temple before interacting with 'Rishikumar' and artists in attendance.

Ahead of the procession, 108 horses from the Gujarat Police Mounted Unit arrived to take part in the event. Officials said the mounted contingent played a central ceremonial role in the yatra.DIG Rajendrasinh Chudasama said the procession included horses from the police mounted unit, featuring locally bred Kathiawadi and Marwadi breeds. He noted that the animals had undergone months of specialised preparation for the event."Shaurya Yatra is being organised in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and 108 horses of the Gujarat Mounted Unit will be participating in it. The unit consists of Kathiawadi and Marwadi horses and are locally bred... The horses have been trained for the Shaurya Yatra for eight months," he told ANI.Several saints, seers and groups of children were present to welcome the Prime Minister. Students from Brahmarshi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in Gujarat’s Kheda district also participated in large numbers.Sanjay Brahmbhatt of the institution said around 350 students had travelled to Somnath to take part in the procession."We have come from Nadiad in Kheda district. We are from Brahmarshi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, and Dahyabhai Shastri is with us, along with all his students. Around 350 students have come here, and all of us will take part in the Shaurya Yatra. Our children will play the conch (shankh) and damru, and we will lead the procession ahead of the horses," he told ANI.