Religious Tourism: PM Modi inaugurates multiple projects in Somnath

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath on August 20.

About:

• Inaugurated projects include the Somnath Promenade, reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath and Somnath Exhibition Centre.
• While inaugurating the projects, PM highlighted that, India needs to strengthen religious tourism. It will provide employment to youth and enable them to get knowledge about our past.

Shiv Parvati Temple

• Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Shree Parvati Temple on the occasion.
• This temple is proposed to be constructed with a total outlay of Rupees 30 crore.
• It comprises of construction of temple in Sompura Salats Style, development of Garbha Griha and a Nritya Mandap.

About Somnath temple

Somnath temple is situated in Veraval (Somnath City), Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat. This temple is believed to be the first of twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. It has been reconstructed multiple times in the past following repeated destruction by Muslim invaders and rulers. Temple in its present form was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture. Its construction was completed in May 1951. Its construction was started on the orders of Home Minister of India Vallabhbhai Patel. Current chairman of Somnath Mandir trust is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

About Veraval

Name of the Veraval city was changed to Somnath city on March 30, 2021. It is a municipality and headquarters of Gir Somnath district in Gujarat. This city is the hub of fishing industries in India.