Divine Drone Show In Somnath Temple On The Occasion Of Swabhiman Parv, PM Modi Shares Glimpse

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the historic temple town of Somnath in Gujarat on Friday as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations. The Prime Minister attended a magnificent drone show at the Somnath temple complex, which beautifully combined faith, technology, and history.

Sharing his thoughts on social media, PM Modi wrote, "On the occasion of Somnath Swabhiman Parv, I had the good fortune to witness a grand and divine drone show in the Somnath temple complex. The harmony between our ancient faith and modern technology left everyone spellbound. This beam of light emerging from the sacred land of Somnath is conveying the message of India's cultural power to the entire world."

The Prime Minister, who arrived for a two-day visit, described Somnath as "a proud symbol of our civilisational courage". He also expressed gratitude to the people of Gujarat for their warm welcome and said the event celebrated a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath temple in 1026.

India's Largest Drone Show Near a Temple

The breathtaking drone show, held as part of the celebrations, is said to be one of the largest ever organised near a temple in India. Around 3,000 drones lit up the night sky for about 15 minutes, creating vivid images and patterns inspired by Lord Shiva and the Somnath Temple.

Officials said the 3D light formations included a floating projection of the temple, nearly 370 metres wide, while the image of Lord Shiva reached a height of 280 metres, and the symbolic Shivaling stretched to 330 metres.

The event was executed by BotLab Dynamics, a technology company incubated at IIT Delhi, which has handled several landmark drone displays in the past - including the one held during the Ram Temple's Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya in January 2024.

The company explained that the Somnath drone show was designed as a "thematic aerial narrative", showcasing spirituality, history, and national pride through light and motion. Formations such as 'Cosmos and Planets', 'Damru, Om, and Trishul', and 'Shiv Tandav' were created mid-air, ending with a glowing message reading "Akhand Somnath, Akhand Bharat."

Celebrating a Millennium of Faith and Resilience

The Somnath Swabhiman Parv, observed from January 8 to 11, 2026, marks 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple by Mahmud of Ghazni. Over the centuries, the temple was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, symbolising the unbroken spirit of India's faith and cultural strength.

This year's festival also coincides with 75 years since the temple's reconstruction in 1951, an event that reaffirmed India's civilisational confidence after independence.

The Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, stands proudly along the Arabian Sea with its 150-foot tall spire, representing resilience and devotion through the ages.

PM Modi's Schedule in Somnath

On January 11, PM Modi is scheduled to participate in the Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession honouring warriors who gave their lives defending the temple. The procession will feature 108 horses, symbolising courage and sacrifice.

Following the Yatra, the Prime Minister will offer darshan and pooja at the Somnath Temple and later address a public gathering. His visit to Somnath stands as a reminder of India's enduring connection between faith, history, and national identity - a legacy that continues to shine as brightly as the drone-lit sky above the sacred temple.