Sanatan resides not only in the walls of temples but also in the consciousness of India: CM Yogi

The Lucknow Journal Desk May 11, 2026

Varanasi, May 11: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that 1000 years ago, foreign invaders including Mahmud Ghaznavi had attacked Somnath Temple 17 times and tried to destroy its grandeur. Because they were under the illusion that by breaking the idols and looting its grandeur, they could destroy the Sanatani soul of India forever, but despite this, the Sanatani tradition and cultural consciousness of India is still alive with full strength.

Yogi was addressing the Somnath Sankalp Mahotsav organized at the Trimbakeshwar Multipurpose Hall of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi on Monday. On the occasion of “Somnath Swabhiman Parv, the glorious saga of unwavering faith,” the Chief Minister, referring to the attack by foreign invaders on the Somnath Temple, said that not only the Somnath Mahadev Temple but also the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, along with thousands of other religious and cultural sites in India, were attacked. Despite this, India’s Sanatan tradition and cultural consciousness remain vibrant. Those who attempted to eradicate Sanatan have now been reduced to dust.

Chief Minister stated at the festival that invaders like Muhammad Ghori and Aurangzeb are no longer remembered. He said that Aurangzeb demolished the ancient temple of Baba Vishwanath and erected the structure of slavery here, but he could not break the soul of India. The invaders failed to understand that Sanatan resides not only in the walls of temples, but in the consciousness of India. India’s consciousness considers the soul to be eternal and immortal. This is India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Chief Minister said that both the Somnath Temple and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham symbolize India’s history and the indomitable power of Sanatan culture. Sanatan culture can be attacked, but it can never be defeated. Destruction is temporary, while creation is eternal.

Yogi further added that unfortunately, even today, many such forces exist who do not want to see these spiritual and cultural sites, symbols of India’s pride, progress. These same people had obstructed the re-consecration program of the Somnath Mahadev Temple. They had also repeatedly attempted to obstruct the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is taking a new direction

The Chief Minister emphasized that under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is taking a new direction. As a result, we are now reviving the traditions and values that foreign invaders attempted to destroy nearly a thousand years ago. This is evident at Kashi Vishwanath, marking the 75th anniversary of the re-establishment of Somnath Mahadev.

Schoolgirls blew conch shells and collectively recited the Somnath Sankalp

Schoolgirls welcomed Governor Anandiben Patel and the Chief Minister amid the sound of conch shells and chanting of mantras. Guests offered obeisances and floral tributes to Somnath Mahadev. The crowd chanted “Om” on this occasion. This was followed by a collective recitation of the Somnath Sankalp. The Chief Minister also recited the Sankalp. The devotees and guests present also recited it collectively.

Chief Minister presented Governor Anandiben Patel with a turban and a Rudraksha garland. After this, Varanasi Mayor Ashok Tiwari presented the Chief Minister with a turban and a Rudraksha garland. The Governor and the Chief Minister also visited the exhibition organized in the multipurpose hall of the Shri Kashi-Vishwanath Temple complex to mark the 75th anniversary of the Somnath Temple. Cabinet Minister Anil Rajbhar, Minister of State Hansraj Vishwakarma, District Panchayat President Poonam Maurya, Cantt MLA Saurabh Srivastava and other public representatives were also present at the function.