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PM Modi to Attend First-Ever Kumbhabhishekam on Somnath Temple Spire

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the first-ever 'Kumbhabhishekam' ceremony on the Somnath Temple's 90-metre spire, part of the Somnath Amrut Parv-2026 celebrations marking 75 years since the shrine's re-consecration. The ceremony involves sacred water from 11 pilgrimage sites in a specially designed 1.86-tonne kalash, lifted by a 350-tonne crane under a zero load principle to protect the heritage structure. The abhishek will be completed within three minutes amid Vedic chanting, with 51 Brahmins conducting recitations and a Maharudra Yagna of 1.25 lakh offerings. The event also includes an aerial display by the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran team.

Key Points: PM Modi at Somnath Temple's First Kumbhabhishekam Ceremony

  • PM Modi to attend first-ever Kumbhabhishekam on Somnath Temple spire
  • Ceremony marks 75 years of temple's re-consecration
  • Sacred water from 11 pilgrimage sites offered on 90-metre shikhar
  • Special kalash weighing 1.86 tonnes lifted by 350-tonne crane
2 min read

PM Modi to attend first-ever 'Kumbhabhishekam' on Somnath Temple spire

PM Narendra Modi will attend the first-ever Kumbhabhishekam on Somnath Temple's 90-metre spire, marking 75 years of its re-consecration with sacred water from 11 sites.

"The temple, regarded as a symbol of the revival of Sanatan heritage, was reconstructed following a resolution taken by India's first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. - Organisers"

Gir Somnath, May 11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to preside over a first-of-its-kind 'Kumbhabhishekam' ceremony at the reconstructed Somnath Temple on Monday, with sacred water from 11 pilgrimage sites to be offered on the temple's 90-metre-high shikhar as part of the 'Somnath Amrut Parv-2026' celebrations marking 75 years of the shrine's re-consecration.

The four-day celebrations, being held from May 8 to 11, commemorate 75 years since the re-establishment of the first Jyotirlinga temple after Independence.

The temple, regarded as a symbol of the revival of Sanatan heritage, was reconstructed following a resolution taken by India's first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

According to organisers, the ceremony will mark the first time that Kumbhabhishekam is performed on the shikhar of the reconstructed Somnath temple.

The ritual, more commonly associated with temples in southern India, is traditionally conducted once every 10 to 12 years as part of a purification ceremony.

A specially designed kalash with a capacity of 1,100 litres has been prepared for the ritual. Officials said the vessel weighs 760 kg and, when filled with water, will weigh around 1.86 metric tonnes.

The kalash stands eight feet high and will carry sacred water collected from 11 pilgrimage sites.

The kalash will be lifted to the temple shikhara using a 350-tonne all-terrain crane positioned outside the temple premises.

Authorities said the crane boom has been specially extended to reach the 90-metre height of the shikhara.

Officials involved in the preparations said the arrangement has been designed under a "zero load principle", ensuring that no structural load is placed on the temple itself and that the heritage structure remains fully protected during the ceremony.

The Roads and Buildings Department supervised the preparation and installation work for the ritual infrastructure.

The water contained in the kalash will be released over the temple through a remote-operated sensor mechanism, with the abhishek expected to be completed within three minutes amid Vedic chanting.

As part of the wider religious programme, 51 Brahmins are conducting Atirudra recitations and Vedic chanting, while a three-day Maharudra Yagna involving 1.25 lakh offerings has also been organised.

The celebrations also include a special aerial display by the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran aerobatic team using six Hawk Mk-132 aircraft.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great to see the government honouring our heritage without damaging the structure—the 'zero load principle' shows careful planning. But I hope equal attention is given to education and healthcare in Gujarat's rural areas. Progress must be holistic.
K
Kavya N
As a Tamilian, it's heartwarming to see Kumbhabhishekam—a tradition from our South—being performed at Somnath in the North. This is the true spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'! 🪔✨ The IAF flypast is a bonus!
V
Vikram M
The engineering behind lifting a 1.86-tonne kalash 90 metres high using a 350-tonne crane—that's impressive! But I'm more curious about the 51 Brahmins doing Atirudra recitations and the Maharudra Yagna with 1.25 lakh offerings. Such events highlight India's deep-rooted spiritual traditions.
R
Ramesh W
🚩 Jai Somnath! This is a historic moment for Sanatan Dharma. From Mahmud of Ghazni's invasion in 1025 to today's grand ceremony—our faith has endured. Proud to see the PM personally attend and the IAF participating. India is reclaiming its glory!
A
Aditi M
While the ceremony is beautiful, I question the need for a PM to preside over a temple ritual in a secular democracy. Shouldn't this be left to religious authorities? The Surya Kiran flypast also seems like an expensive spectacle. Hope the funds come from donations, not taxpayers.

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