Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary flags off special train carrying 1,100 pilgrims to Somnath Dham

A group of 1,100 devotees on Monday (July 20, 2026) departed from Patna on a special train for Somnath Dham, one of the most revered among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

The seven-day pilgrimage is being fully funded by the governments of Bihar and Gujarat, covering everything from travel and accommodation to meals.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary flagged off the train from Patliputra Junction around 3:30 pm. The Department of Art, Culture and Youth, Government of Bihar, organised the free pilgrimage, which will come to an end on July 26.

Throughout the seven-day journey, the government will provide devotees with darshan arrangements, accommodation, meals, local transportation, medical assistance, security and other necessary facilities.

Earlier, on July 1, the Bihar cabinet, chaired by Mr.Choudhary, had sanctioned approximately Rs 2.5 crore to fund the pilgrimage.

During the visit, devotees will not only offer prayers at the world-famous Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat but will also tour nearby religious and tourist attractions. The entire journey is being managed in an organized manner with the support of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

According to the itinerary, the special train will complete its 44-hour journey and arrive at Veraval railway station in Gujarat at 11:00 am on July 22. The train is equipped with modern LHB coaches comprising 19 coaches, including 16 Third AC coaches, one pantry car, and two power generation coaches.

The Gujarat government has arranged accommodation, meals, local transportation, as well as welcome and farewell ceremonies for the pilgrims. Special transport will take devotees directly from Veraval railway station to Somnath Dham.

On July 22 and 23, pilgrims will perform prayers and seek blessings at the Somnath temple, besides visiting nearby religious and tourist destinations.

After completing the pilgrimage, the devotees will depart from Veraval on July 24 aboard the same special train and are scheduled to arrive in Patna on July 26, marking the conclusion of the seven-day journey.

To ensure emergency healthcare during the journey, the health department has deployed a medical team, including a doctor and both male and female paramedical staff. Additionally, five police personnel have been assigned duty to provide security for the pilgrims throughout the trip.

The Somnath temple, located near Prabhas Patan in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region along the Arabian Sea, is one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites.

Over the centuries, the temple has faced repeated destruction during foreign invasions. However, it has been rebuilt each time through the unwavering faith and collective support of devotees, making it a powerful symbol of India’s cultural heritage, resilience, devotion, and self-respect.

This year’s pilgrimage marks the 75th anniversary of the reconstruction of the Somnath temple. The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the temple’s historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. The programme is being organised under the Central government’s Ministry of Culture campaign, “Somnath Swabhiman Parv – 1,000 Years of Unbroken Faith.”

Through this pilgrimage, the Bihar government’s Department of Art, Culture and Youth seeks to connect devotees with India’s rich cultural heritage while promoting public participation and strengthening cultural awareness.