New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- For the first time, the BJP-led West Bengal government has facilitated a free pilgrimage to Gujarat for around 1,100 devotees as part of the nationwide 'Swabhiman Parv', marking 1,000 years of the Somnath temple's heritage.
Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh flagged off a special train from Kolkata station on Saturday, with most of the pilgrims being senior citizens. The state Information & Cultural Affairs Department is bearing the full cost of the train journey and arranging food, medical facilities and other logistics.
The Gujarat government will cover accommodation, boarding and local transportation during the pilgrims' stay in Somnath. Devotees were selected from different districts, with district administrations arranging transport to Kolkata station. Pilgrims from Purulia, Bankura, East Burdwan and West Burdwan will board the train at Asansol.
Officials will accompany the district-wise groups, while medical facilities will be available throughout the journey. The train is scheduled to reach Somnath on September 14, with the return journey beginning on September 17. It is expected to reach Kolkata on September 20.
Ghosh said the initiative marked the reconstruction of the Somnath temple by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1951, after its destruction in 1026. He described the 'Swabhiman Parv-Somnath Yatra-2026' as a journey combining faith, heritage, culture and national integrity.
The minister also stressed the need to make people aware of the temple's history and described the initiative as part of a broader cultural resurgence. He said the pilgrimage would strengthen cultural ties between West Bengal and Gujarat and promote the idea of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
Somnath is one of India's 12 Jyotirlingas. The state government said the initiative aims to promote cultural exchange, national integration and greater awareness of India's diverse heritage.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.