Gujarat, May 11: The Somnath Temple in Gujarat is set to witness a historic spiritual event on May 11, marking the “Somnath Amrit Parv 2026” with a ritual never before performed on the temple’s reconstructed spire.
For the first time in its modern history, a sacred Kumbhabhishek will be conducted atop the temple’s 90-metre-high Shikhar, using holy water collected from 11 prominent pilgrimage sites across India. The ceremony will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the temple’s restoration.
A central highlight of the event involves a massive vessel (Kumbh) filled with sacred water being hoisted to the summit via a specialised crane. Priests will perform the ritual bathing of the spire, accompanied by the chanting of Vedic mantras, in a purification ceremony that is a hallmark of grand South Indian temples but is unprecedented for Somnath since its reconstruction.
Shri Hemalbhai Bhatt, President of the Teerth Purohit Sompura Brahmin Samaj, noted the rarity of the occasion, expressing immense enthusiasm among the community for this historic tradition.
The ceremony will follow a grand Mahapuja of Somnath Mahadev performed by the Prime Minister. This milestone not only honors centuries-old Vedic traditions but also celebrates the temple’s civilisational resilience, blending ancient rituals with modern engineering to mark 75 years of the shrine’s modern legacy.
The Somnath Amrit Parv 2026 is expected to draw devotees from across the country, reflecting both the spiritual significance and cultural heritage of one of India’s most revered temples.
