Abhinesh Pandey 
*CM Shri Sai to flag off journey from Raipur railway station on Monday*
Raipur, June 21,2026/
As part of the nationwide Somnath Swabhiman Parv, Chhattisgarh will arrange travel of 1,000 distinguished participants to Gujarat’s Somnath Dham on a special train for the five-day Somnath Swabhiman Cultural Yatra from June 22 to 26.
The journey will be flagged off from Raipur Railway Station at 11:00 AM on Monday by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. Tourism, Culture & Religious Trusts Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal will preside over the programme. Public representatives, including MPs, MLAs and the Mayor of Raipur, along with several eminent citizens to mark the occasion.
Somnath Swabhiman Parv symbolizes India’s enduring cultural consciousness and heritage that has preserved its faith and identity despite centuries of challenges. Organised under a national initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the programme aims to connect younger generations with the country’s cultural roots, spiritual legacy and national pride.
The delegation will comprise selected distinguished personalities from across Chhattisgarh, including Padma Shree awardees, nationally and internationally honoured artists, litterateurs, cultural practitioners, social workers and public representatives. The Yatra will also showcase the state’s folk traditions, cultural diversity and heritage at the national level. Participants will carry sacred soil and river water from their respective regions to Somnath, symbolising India’s cultural unity, spiritual harmony and national integration.
During the visit, participants will offer prayers at the Somnath Temple and take part in a range of cultural and religious activities. Temple visits, cultural performances, art tours and excursions to sites of historical and religious significance will form key attractions of the programme.
The Somnath Swabhiman Cultural Yatra is being projected as more than a religious pilgrimage, serving as a celebration of India’s cultural consciousness, historical legacy and national unity.
