Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared his views with the countrymen regarding 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' during the 138th episode of his popular radio program 'Mann Ki Baat'. PM Modi said in his address that we have started this year with 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv'. Exactly one thousand years ago, i.e. in 1026, the invader Mohammad Ghaznavi had destroyed the historical Somnath temple for the first time.
But those who had come at that time with the intention of destroying the Somnath temple and erasing the great cultural identity of India forever, today they do not even remotely exist in the pages of history. On the contrary, today the same Somnath temple in all its grandeur is standing on the banks of the vast sea and blessing the whole of India with immortality. This is the reason why 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' was celebrated with great pomp in the country this year.
King Bhimdev I had fought bravely against Ghaznavi.
The Prime Minister further said that in the same year when the Somnath Temple was destroyed by the Ghaznavids in 1026, the historic Sun Temple located at the famous Modhera in Gujarat was also severely attacked. In this way, 1 thousand years have passed since the destruction of Modhera temple. When this attack took place on Modhera temple, only a year had passed since its construction.
Let us tell you that this grand Sun Temple was built by King Bhimdev I in the year 1025. When there is such a huge attack on any country or society, when the biggest center of faith of the country like Somnath Temple is destroyed and there are massive attacks on many other places too, then generally the morale of any society or government is completely broken. However, instead of accepting defeat, King Bhimdev I not only fought the Ghaznavis bravely but also got the Modhera Sun Temple rebuilt within a very short time.
Somnath remained standing even after breaking repeatedly, Modhera became the country's first 'solar village'
PM Modi said that it is because of this amazing vitality and stamina of the people of India that the Somnath temple was always constructed despite repeated threats of destruction. However, the series of attacks on Modhera temple did not stop even after this and in the later period, Alauddin Khilji also destroyed this unique and grand temple of architecture.
The people of India do not limit their worship of Sun to any temple or architecture, rather our Sun worship means inspiration of light, energy, science and continuity. This is the reason that today Modhera is not only known all over the world for its ancient Sun Temple, but it has also become the country's first 'Surya Gram' i.e. Solar Village.
Presented a unique example to the country and appealed for a dance festival.
While telling the countrymen, the Prime Minister said that today Modhera village is running completely on the basis of solar energy and this small village has presented an excellent example of development and self-reliance in front of the entire country. Apart from this, many modern facilities have also been started in Modhera for tourists to visit and stay.
Every year in the month of January, just after Makar Sankranti, the famous 'Modhera Dance Festival' is organized here, in which wonderful presentations of cultural and classical dances from across the country are seen. At the end of his address, PM Modi appealed to all the citizens of the country to visit Modhera once in their life.