The Somnath temple, included among the 12 Jyotirlingas, marks the emergence of the BJP in Gujarat. That is why in September 1990, Lal Krishna Advani took a rath yatra to Ayodhya.
Ahmedabad central government is going to spend Rs 200 crore to improve passenger amenities around the magnificent Somnath temple on the banks of the Arabian Sea in Gujarat . Earlier, the central government had given Rs 80 crore for the Somnath Temple, which is included in the 12 Jyotirlingas. The Somnath temple at Veraval marks the emergence of the BJP in Gujarat. That is why in September 1990, Lal Krishna Advani took a rath yatra to Ayodhya.
The temple trust, headed by former Chief Minister of Gujarat Keshubhai Patel, consists of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and LK Advani as members. A consultant has been appointed to improve the passenger amenities in the temple. Tourism Department of Gujarat has started a meeting to improve the look of the temple.
“We are working on the requirements and when the plan is made, we will send the proposal to the Center,” said Gujarat Tourism MD Jeenu Devan. Sources said that the help from the central government could be more than Rs 200 crore. Former Chief Secretary PK Laheri, one of the trustees of the temple, said, ‘The number of yatris is increasing every year. Our main priority is to make a one and a half kilometer long path towards the sea. ‘
Laheri said, ‘Other big temples like Shirdi and Tirupati have a crowded path to the devotees which helps them to come to the temple and not get crowded. Apart from this, after the online booking and stopping place for the devotees, the temple will look good and people will get employment.