Chandigarh, June 8:- Haryana Chief Minister Shri Naib Singh Saini said that pilgrimages are a great medium to connect the society. These journeys connect our new generation with their roots, culture and traditions. When a pilgrim goes to pilgrimage sites, he returns with new energy, inspiration and new consciousness.
Chief Minister Shri Naib Singh Saini was flagging off a special train from Kurukshetra to Somnath today. More than 1100 pilgrims are going in the train. The Chief Minister honored all the saints present by presenting Angavastra.
The Chief Minister said that on May 10, Shri Narendra Modi will become the first Prime Minister to serve the country for the longest time. The Prime Minister took over the leadership of the country in 2014, since then he has worked to give a new direction to India. A pleasant visit to Somnath for the elderly is the blessing of the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister said that considering the importance of pilgrimage places, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, unprecedented work is being done for the preservation and promotion of religious and cultural heritage. The Prime Minister has renovated many of our pilgrimage places. We have all witnessed the inauguration of Shri Ram Temple. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the divine and magnificent form of Kashi Vishwanath Dham has also come to light, due to which the glory of ancient Kashi has been revived. He said that today, through the development of pilgrimage places across the country, Char Dham project, Prasad Yojana and preservation of cultural heritage, India is connecting with its roots and this is the time of New India, where development and heritage are going hand in hand.
Lord Shiva is the source of inspiration not only for India but also for the entire humanity
Shri Naib Singh Saini said that today the world is facing many crises. But India's Sanatan culture shows us the path of balance, compassion and humanity. Lord Shiva is not the god of destruction, but the god of new creation. He teaches us that even poison can be taken and given to the society as nectar. Lord Mahadev teaches us that power should be used for protection, not for destruction. Renunciation, penance and service are the real path of life. That is why Lord Shiva is the source of inspiration not only for India but for the entire humanity. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had said that Somnath is the song of faith which teaches us that the power of creation is much stronger than destruction. This statement is the essence of India's thousand-year-old culture. The Chief Minister said that this is the beginning of a journey of devotion, faith, culture and Sanatan consciousness from the land of Haryana, which connects us with India's thousand-year-old spiritual heritage. While paying homage to the feet of Lord Bholenath, he said that his grace should remain on every family, farmer, youth, mother and sister and all the countrymen of Haryana. May this journey be pleasant, safe and fruitful. He said that the temple of Lord Somnath is considered the first of the twelve Jyotilingas.
Our faith cannot be destroyed by swords
The Chief Minister said that the history of Somnath temple has been a story of courage for India. This temple was broken and looted many times. But every time it rose again with double the courage. History is witness that whenever Somnath was attacked, the soul of the entire country was saddened. But every time the nation proved that our faith cannot be destroyed by swords. He said that when the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple and the cultural renaissance of independent India were announced, then the Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had described the construction of the temple as the restoration of national construction, which worked to connect the nation with its cultural roots.
The Chief Minister said that the Somnath Swabhiman Purab is being celebrated across the country. This festival will continue till January 2027. During this festival, pilgrimages to pilgrimage places are being organized for the devotees under the 'Mukhya Mantri Tirath Yojana'. Under this scheme, thousands of elderly devotees have so far visited various pilgrimage places in the country. He said that the elderly are the biggest asset of our society. They have given direction to the society with their experience, culture and hard work. Through the Mukhya Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana, we are expressing respect and gratitude towards them.
Wishing all the pilgrims a safe and prosperous future, the Chief Minister said that they should have happiness, peace, prosperity and spiritual progress in their lives and take Haryana forward on the path of continuous development. He said that India should be taken to new heights in the world and may God give us all the strength to make our significant contribution in nation building.
Former Minister Subhash Sudha, Maharaj Bansi Puri, Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena, Rajesh Parasar, Chairman Dharambir Mirzapur, Chairman Zila Parishad Kanwaljit Kaur along with many party office bearers and saints were present on this occasion.