PM Modi to Lead First-Ever Kumbhabhishek at Somnath Temple Spire on May 11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the first Kumbhabhishek ceremony atop the 90-meter Shikhar of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat on May 11, 2026, marking the 75th anniversary of the temple's modern reconstruction. The ritual, known as spire consecration through sacred ablution, has never been performed on the rebuilt shrine since its completion.

Holy water collected from 11 prominent pilgrimage sites across India will be placed in a large Kumbh and hoisted to the summit using a specialized 90-meter crane, accompanied by Vedic chanting by priests. The event, part of the 'Somnath Amrit Parv 2026' celebrations, follows a Mahapuja of Somnath Mahadev to be conducted by the Prime Minister.

While Kumbhabhishek is a recurring ritual in major South Indian temples, typically held every 10 to 12 years, it represents a liturgical milestone for the Somnath Temple, which has not previously observed the practice on its reconstructed spire. Shri Hemalbhai Bhatt, President of the Teerth Purohit Sompura Brahmin Samaj, called the event a rare and momentous occasion for the temple community.

The ceremony will blend Vedic traditions with modern engineering, symbolizing the temple's civilizational resurgence. The event is scheduled to proceed on May 11, 2026, with official religious and state participation.