Bihar Pilgrims Leave for Somnath on Special Train; Leaders Call It a Symbol of Faith and Cultural Prid

Chlo Somnath chle : A special train carrying 1,150 devotees from Bihar was flagged off from Patliputra Junction, Patna, marking the beginning of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv – "Atoot Aastha Ki Gaurav Gatha." The event celebrated Bihar's spiritual heritage and cultural pride, with devotees embarking on a pilgrimage to the historic Somnath Temple in Gujarat.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, accompanied by several ministers and public representatives, flagged off the train and handed over ceremonial kalash and dhwaj to the pilgrims. Addressing the gathering, he said the pilgrimage represents Bihar's faith, self-respect and rich cultural traditions.

He said the sacred flags and kalash carried by the devotees would take Bihar's spiritual message to Somnath Dham while strengthening the state's cultural connection with one of India's most revered Jyotirlingas. He also interacted with the pilgrims, reviewed the travel arrangements and wished them a safe and successful journey.

The Somnath Temple, located in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, is the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Revered for centuries, the temple has been rebuilt several times after repeated invasions and remains a powerful symbol of India's spiritual resilience. Its reconstruction after Independence fulfilled the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, while recent development initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have further enhanced the pilgrimage experience.

Many pilgrims expressed happiness before departing for the sacred journey.

> "We are feeling very happy. Visiting Somnath is a dream for many of us, and this journey will be a memorable spiritual experience," several devotees said.

BJP MLA Nisha Singh from Pranpur in Katihar said the initiative would help people understand the historical and spiritual significance of Somnath.

> "We are delighted to see devotees from Bihar travelling to Somnath. It is a historic temple that has withstood repeated attacks but continues to stand as a symbol of India's faith and resilience. Our government is working to connect people with their cultural heritage, and this pilgrimage will help many understand the importance of Somnath while seeking Lord Shiva's blessings."

JDU leader Khushboo Rani described the pilgrimage as a unique opportunity for devotees.

> "We are very happy. For many people, this is their first visit to Somnath. They will experience the temple's rich history, culture and spirituality, making this journey truly memorable."

The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is being seen as an initiative to strengthen cultural awareness while giving devotees from Bihar an opportunity to visit one of the country's most significant religious sites. The event concluded with chants of "Har Har Mahadev" as the special train departed from Patna carrying hundreds of pilgrims toward Somnath Dham.