Vadodara/Gir Somnath, May 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on May 10 and 11 to participate in commemorative events at the Somnath temple and inaugurate the Sardardham Hostel complex in Vadodara, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday.

PM Modi will arrive in Jamnagar on May 10 before travelling to Somnath the next morning.

At around 10.15 A.M. on May 11, he will participate in the ‘Somnath Amrut Mahotsav’ at the Somnath temple, marking 75 years since the inauguration of the restored shrine.

As part of the programme, the Prime Minister will participate in the Vishesh Maha Puja, followed by the Kumbhabhishek and Dhvajarohan ceremonies, which form part of the temple’s consecration rituals and the ceremonial hoisting of the temple flag.

He will also release a commemorative stamp and coin “commemorating the rich legacy and spiritual significance of Somnath”, the statement said.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a gathering at the event. The Somnath temple in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district is regarded as one of Hinduism’s most important pilgrimage sites.

The temple was reconstructed after Independence under an initiative supported by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and inaugurated in 1951 by India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad.

Earlier this year, the temple trust had organised the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ to commemorate 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the shrine.

Preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit have been underway in Gir Somnath district over the past several days.

Senior district administration and police officials have conducted review meetings on security, crowd management, traffic regulation, parking arrangements, sanitation and emergency response measures.

Barricading work and route security checks have also been carried out around the temple town, while additional personnel from police and other agencies are expected to be deployed during the visit.

Local authorities have also reviewed arrangements for devotees and invited guests expected to attend the event.

After the Somnath programme, PM Modi will travel to Vadodara, where he is scheduled to inaugurate the Sardardham Hostel complex at around 6 P.M.

He will also address a public gathering there. According to the officials, the project includes hostel facilities for 1,000 boys and 1,000 girls.

The complex also includes a central dining hall, library, auditorium and e-library facilities.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will inspect various sections of the Sardardham campus, including the reception area, dining facilities and civil amenities.

Preparations have also intensified in Vadodara ahead of the visit. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi along with district officials and police authorities have undertaken route inspections and security reviews around the Sardardham complex.

Civic authorities have carried out road repair and cleanliness drives in surrounding areas, while arrangements related to traffic diversions, public access and security deployment are also being finalised.

Sources have indicated that officials are additionally preparing for a possible roadshow during the Prime Minister’s visit to the city.

–IANS

mys/rad