NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the revered Somnath Jyotirlinga temple on Sunday in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district, where he offered prayers and performed a special ‘puja’.
This visit marks the second day of his three-day trip to Gujarat. Earlier, PM Modi had mentioned in his blog that after the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, he would visit Somnath, the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas, to seek blessings for the well-being of all Indians.
He also paid respects to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s idol within the temple premises.
Following his temple visit, the Prime Minister proceeded to Sasan Gir, the only habitat of the Asiatic lion, in Junagadh district. According to officials, he will go on a lion safari and chair a meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) on Monday to mark World Wildlife Day.
A government statement highlighted that Asiatic lions now inhabit around 30,000 square kilometres across 53 talukas in nine districts of Gujarat. To further conservation efforts, a high-tech wildlife monitoring centre and a state-of-the-art hospital have been set up in Sasan.
Additionally, a National Referral Centre for Wildlife is being developed on over 20 hectares of land at New Pipalya in Junagadh.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi extended his wishes on the start of Ramzan, posting on X, “As the blessed month of Ramzan begins, may it bring peace and harmony in our society… Ramzan Mubarak!”
