Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday authored an opinion piece reflecting on the long history of destruction and revival of the Somnath Temple. He wrote that merely hearing the name “Somnath” fills people with pride and reverence. The Prime Minister noted that the first attack on the sacred shrine occurred exactly one thousand years ago in 1026 AD. Yet, despite repeated assaults across centuries, the temple today stands in unmatched splendour.

PM Modi highlighted the enduring strength of India’s civilisation, stating that the story of Somnath is not one of devastation, but of extraordinary courage. He described it as a powerful symbol of the unbreakable spirit of crores of the children of Bharat Mata. Emphasising this resilience, he added that no example better represents the indomitable nature of Indian civilisation than Somnath, which has continually overcome immense challenges to stand tall.

Citing the book Somanatha: The Shrine Eternal by K. M. Munshi, the Prime Minister recalled that Mahmud of Ghazni began his march towards Somnath on October 18, 1025, and after nearly eighty days, attacked the fortified temple city on January 6, 1026. He also acknowledged the decisive role played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the temple’s reconstruction on November 13, 1947, with strong support from Munshi.

PM Modi further recounted that although the temple was ready for inauguration in 1951, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was opposed to President Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s participation in the ceremony. Despite this, the temple was formally opened on May 11, 1951, with Dr. Rajendra Prasad present. Though Sardar Patel did not live to witness this moment, his vision was realised. The Prime Minister remarked that Dr. Rajendra Prasad remained firm in his decision despite reservations from the political leadership of the time.

Highlighting India’s present growth and global standing, PM Modi said the same resilient spirit is visible in today’s India, which has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing nations after enduring centuries of invasions and colonial exploitation. He stressed that India’s values and the determination of its people have made the country a global centre of opportunity and optimism, attracting investment and admiration from across the world.

According to historical accounts cited by Munshi, nearly 50,000 defenders sacrificed their lives while protecting the shrine during Mahmud’s attack. The temple was plundered, and the sanctum was desecrated. Over the centuries, Somnath was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt — attacked in 1299, 1394, and 1459 — before being finally demolished and converted into a mosque under Aurangzeb in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1783, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar constructed a new temple nearby, preserving the spiritual continuity of the site.

PM Modi also referred to Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Somnath in the 1890s, noting his view that such temples serve as living sources of wisdom, revealing India’s history more profoundly than written records. He stressed that Somnath embodies renewal and resilience, rising stronger each time it was struck down. The Prime Minister wrote that the invaders of the past are now forgotten remnants of history, while Somnath continues to shine as a symbol of hope. He observed that hatred may destroy briefly, but faith and conviction possess the power to create forever.

Concluding his reflection, PM Modi stated that if Somnath could rise repeatedly after a thousand years of adversity, then India too can reclaim the glory it once possessed before the invasions. With the blessings of Lord Somnath, he said, the nation moves forward with renewed determination to build a developed India, guided by civilisational wisdom and committed to the welfare of the entire world.