NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Somnath on Saturday to begin a three-day visit to Gujarat during which he will attend Somnath Swabhiman Parv events, attend the Vibrant Gujarat regional conference and hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and other senior leaders received the Prime Minister at the helipad near Somnath Temple in Gir Somnath district.In a post on I am grateful to the people for the warm welcome.”Later in the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome when he arrived at the Somnath Temple to attend the Parv. PM will also participate in Omkar mantra chanting at the temple and witness a drone show depicting important historical events related to Somnath.According to a government statement, almost 3,000 drones are being used. Prime Minister Modi will also chair a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust in his capacity as Chairman.On Sunday he will take part in the Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession honoring those who died defending the Somnath temple, with a symbolic march of 108 horses.He will pray at the temple and address a public function on the occasion of Swabhiman Parv, which marks the 1,000th anniversary. Anniversary of the invasion of the temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. The celebrations also mark the 75th anniversary of the temple’s restoration, which was completed in 1951 after efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Rajkot to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for Kutch and Saurashtra region, where he will inaugurate a trade fair and exhibition. He will also announce 14 greenfield smart GIDC estates and launch a GIDC medical equipment park. In the evening, he will inaugurate the remaining section of Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 between Sector 10A and Mahatma Mandir.On Monday the Prime Minister will receive the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The two leaders will visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in the international kite festival before holding bilateral talks at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Center in Gandhinagar. They will discuss progress in the 25-year strategic partnership between India and Germany, followed by delegation-level discussions and a joint press statement. The Foreign Ministry said the leaders would also interact with business representatives and discuss regional and global issues.
