Somnath Temple: Symbol of India’s Faith and Civilisational Resilience
- Context: Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Somnath Temple in Gujarat to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the temple’s reopening, which was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951.
Location and Religious Importance
- Somnath Temple is situated at Prabhas Patan on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat.
-
- It houses one of the sacred Jyotirlingas mentioned in the Shiva Purana.
- The temple is associated with the worship of Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and Shakti.
- The Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram places Somnath first among the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Historical Importance
-
- Somnath represents India’s enduring spiritual faith and civilisational continuity.
- The temple faced repeated invasions and destruction between the 11th and 18th centuries.
- The first recorded attack on the temple occurred in 1026.
- Despite repeated destruction, Somnath was rebuilt multiple times by rulers and devotees.
Reconstruction through History
-
- King Kumarapala restored the temple during the 12th century.
- The King of Junagadh rebuilt it during the 13th century.
- Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the temple in the 18th century.
- After Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel initiated the reconstruction of Somnath in 1947.
- The present temple was built in the Kailash Mahameru Prasad architectural style.
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad consecrated the rebuilt temple on 11 May 1951.
Somnath Swabhiman Parv
- The Somnath Swabhiman Parv commemorates 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on Somnath in 1026.
- The year 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the reopening of the Somnath Temple.
- The event symbolises India’s resilience, faith and cultural resurgence after centuries of destruction.
Role of Prime Minister
- Prime Minister, Chairman of the Somnath Trust, is participating in the 75th anniversary celebrations.
- He described Somnath as a symbol of India’s “unconquerable spirit”.
- The Prime Minister highlighted the “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” approach focusing on development along with heritage preservation.
Temple Architecture and Features
- Somnath is regarded as the first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas.
- The temple complex includes the Garbhagriha, Sabha Mandap and Nritya Mandap.
Environmental and Sustainability Measures
- Somnath was declared a “Swachh Iconic Place” in 2018.
-
- Temple flowers are converted into vermicompost for Bilva plantations.
- Plastic waste is converted into paver blocks under Mission LiFE.
- Rainwater harvesting systems recycle nearly 30 lakh litres of sewage water monthly.
- A Miyawaki forest with 7,200 trees absorbs nearly 93,000 kg of carbon dioxide annually.
The Drug Menace in India
- Context: The Court highlighted the massive backlog of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985.
- To expedite trials, the Supreme Court recommended the establishment of special NDPS courts in all states.
Causes of the Drug Menace in India
- India is situated between two major illicit drug-producing regions: the Golden Crescent (Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) and the Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand).
- Vendors and smugglers utilize technologies—including drones—to transport narcotics across the India-Pakistan border in the state of Punjab.
- The easy accessibility of narcotics such as 3,4methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or Ecstasy, has manifested in the form of a rising number of drug addiction cases.
- Unemployment, family disintegration, depression, academic pressure, and urban alienation contribute to drug abuse.
- Technologies such as the use of the Dark Web and encrypted platforms have enabled anonymous drug transactions.
Key Measures Taken to Curb the Drug Menace in India
- Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA): Launched in 2020 to make India drug-aware and resilient against substance abuse.
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985: Establishes stringent regulations to control and regulate activities related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
- National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 2012: Aims to combat the drug menace in a holistic manner.
- National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) (2018–2025): A multi-pronged strategy focusing on education, de-addiction, and rehabilitation for individuals and families.
- International Treaties: India is a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961; the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971; and the Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
