# Somnath Swabhiman Yatra Kicks Off From Patliputra Junction With 1100 Pilgrims > Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary flagged off a special train taking devotees to the Somnath temple in Gujarat, calling it a historic journey representing the faith of 14 crore people of Bihar. **Type:** article · **Category:** Religion · **Published:** 2026-07-20 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/religion/bihar-ke-1100-shraddhaluon-ki-somnath-swabhiman-yatra-patliputra-junction-se-shuru-9163 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Bihar Government, Somnath Temple, Samrat Choudhary, Patliputra Junction, Religious Tourism, Somnath Swabhiman Yatra Patliputra Junction in Patna witnessed a massive wave of spiritual devotion on Monday as the Somnath Swabhiman Yatra officially commenced its journey. Amidst loud, echoing chants of "Har Har Mahadev" and "Jai Shri Ram", Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary arrived at the station to flag off a special train entirely dedicated to this religious expedition. Organised by the Bihar government, the train is carrying 1100 enthusiastic pilgrims all the way to Gujarat to visit the Somnath temple, which is highly revered as the first Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. While bidding farewell to the passengers, the Chief Minister made an emotional appeal, stating, "When you have darshan of Lord Somnath, definitely pray first for the prosperity and happiness of Bihar." The state administration views this grand departure as a historic campaign deeply connected to Sanatan faith, cultural pride, and regional self-respect. ## Carrying the Hopes of 14 Crore Citizens While addressing the massive gathering of devotees at the railway station, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary elaborated on the larger significance of this state-sponsored pilgrimage. He strongly emphasized that this is not merely a travel arrangement for 1100 individuals, but rather a profound representation of the collective faith of the entire state. The Chief Minister pointed out that while the 14 crore residents of Bihar cannot travel to Gujarat in person, their spiritual sentiments and aspirations are traveling on that very train. He entrusted the departing pilgrims with a major responsibility, stating that they must seek divine blessings from Lord Somnath specifically for the economic growth, social well-being, and absolute prosperity of the state. The crowd responded to his emotional address with thunderous applause, completely filling the station with an atmosphere of absolute positivity. ## Reviving the Legacy of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Taking a moment to reflect on India's rich history, the Chief Minister proudly mentioned the crucial role played by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the country and a towering figure from Bihar. He reminded the audience of a monumental event that took place approximately 75 years ago, when the Somnath temple underwent a massive restoration. At that time, Dr. Rajendra Prasad personally traveled there to inaugurate the rebuilt temple premises. Chief Minister Choudhary noted that this historical involvement remains a matter of immense pride for the people of Bihar even today. He described Monday's departure as a direct continuation of that exact same historical tradition, aiming to strengthen the cultural bridge between the two states that was built decades ago by the visionary leader. ## Overcoming Historical Attacks on Cultural Heritage During his detailed address, the Chief Minister also spoke about the severe historical injustices inflicted upon India's most prominent educational and spiritual centers. He recalled how foreign invaders relentlessly looted the Somnath temple in an aggressive attempt to completely erase the cultural heritage of the nation. Drawing a parallel to his home state, he mentioned that those same destructive forces also attempted to burn down the glorious Nalanda University, which was the absolute pride of Bihar and a global hub of knowledge. However, he struck a highly optimistic tone regarding the present era, noting that the country is aggressively reclaiming its lost cultural glory. He credited the dedicated efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for giving Nalanda University a completely new, modern identity on the global stage. In the exact same way, he noted, the once-plundered Somnath temple stands tall today as one of the most prominent and secure centers of faith in the entire country. ## A Festive and Devotional Atmosphere at the Station The visual scenes at Patliputra Junction on Monday were nothing short of a grand religious festival. The special train arranged for the long journey was highly decorated with beautiful traditional adornments to mark the auspicious occasion. Every single one of the 1100 departing pilgrims could be seen wearing a saffron gamcha around their neck while carrying various religious symbols. The excitement was palpable as they boarded their designated coaches while continuously raising religious slogans that echoed across all the platforms. Following the Chief Minister's encouraging speech, the pilgrims loudly clapped and openly expressed their deep gratitude towards the state government for making this elaborate spiritual journey completely possible. ## Expected Arrival in Gujarat on 22 July The special train carrying the state's delegation for the Somnath Swabhiman Yatra is officially scheduled to reach the sacred town in Gujarat on 22 July. Upon their arrival, the devotees will participate in extensive worship and darshan of the deity. Following the instructions given to them at the departure station, their main focus during these rituals will be praying for the absolute peace, happiness, and continuous development of Bihar. According to the state government, the primary objective behind organizing and operating such large-scale special journeys is twofold. First, it significantly promotes the sector of religious tourism across the country. Second, and more importantly, it actively connects the general public directly with the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of the nation, fostering a deeper sense of national unity and historical awareness. ## What this means for you - **Across India:** Such state-sponsored special religious journeys significantly boost cultural and spiritual tourism across the country. - **In Bihar:** Ordinary citizens of the state who cannot afford distant pilgrimages personally are getting the opportunity to visit major temples with government support. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Where did the Somnath Swabhiman Yatra start from? The journey commenced from Patliputra Junction in Patna on Monday. ### 2. How many pilgrims are participating in this journey? There are 1100 devotees traveling in this special train organized by the Bihar government. ### 3. What is the destination of the journey and when will it arrive? The special train is scheduled to reach the Lord Somnath temple in Gujarat on 22 July. ### 4. Who flagged off the journey? Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary flagged off the special train. ### 5. Who visited the Somnath temple during its restoration? About 75 years ago, when the temple was restored, India's first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad visited it for the inauguration. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._