New Delhi, August 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath, Gujarat, on Friday.

The projects to be inaugurated include the Somnath Promenade, Somnath Exhibition Centre and reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Shree Parvati Temple during the event. The Somnath Promenade has been developed under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive Scheme at a cost of over Rs 47 crore.

The Somnath Exhibition Centre, developed on the premises of Tourist Facilitation Centre, displays exhibits from dismantled parts of old Somnath temple. The reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath has been completed by Shree Somnath Trust with a total outlay of Rs 3.5 crore.

This temple is also referred to as Ahilyabai Temple as it was built by Queen Ahilyabai of Indore when she found that the old temple was in ruins. The entire old temple complex has been holistically redeveloped for the safety of pilgrims and with augmented capacity. — TNS