Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening arrived at the Somnath temple and took part in the prayers and the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations.
Somnath Swabhiman Parv marks 1,000 years since the invasion of the historic temple by Mahmud Ghazni in 1026.
"Feeling blessed to be in Somnath, a proud symbol of our civilisational courage. This visit comes during Somnath Swabhiman Parv, when the entire nation has come together to mark a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026. Grateful to the people for the warm welcome," Modi wrote on X.
As part of the commemoration, the PM also witnessed a 15-minute drone show which lit up the night sky near the Somnath temple. The thematic formations of 3,000 drones portrayed Lord Shiva, a shivling, and the Somnath temple.
"On the occasion of Somnath Swabhiman Parv, I had the privilege of seeing a drone show filled with grandeur and divinity in the Somnath temple premises. The synergy of modern technology with our ancient faith in this amazing show enthralled everyone. This beacon of light from the holy land of Somnath is giving the message of India's cultural power to the whole world," he wrote in another X post in Hindi.
On Sunday, PM Modi will lead the Shaurya Yatra, a procession organised to honour those who laid down their lives to protect the Somnath Temple from invaders. Following this, the prime minister will perform darshan at the temple and address a public function.
On Monday, the PM will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad and visit Sabarmati Ashram. They will also take part in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront.