The Surya Kiran aerobatic team of the Indian Air Force performed aerial maneuvers during the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav at Somnath Temple on Monday.As part of the celebrations, Narendra Modi participated in the special Mahapuja, followed by the Kumbhabhishek and flag hoisting ceremonies, which included the consecration ritual and unfurling of the temple flag.PM Modi on Monday offered prayers at the Somnath temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, as part of the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav organized to commemorate 75 years of the inauguration of the renovated temple by India’s first President Rajendra Prasad.Before entering the temple complex, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the road show in Somnath.Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a road show on the way to the temple, drawing large crowds of supporters amid tight security arrangements in key areas of the city.Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Shanghvi had said on May 9 that PM Modi is on a visit to Gujarat to participate in the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav and inaugurate the Sardar Dham in Vadodara.PM Modi on Friday shared an op-ed ahead of his proposed visit to the Somnath temple on May 11, highlighting the civilizational importance of the temple and paying tribute to the people who have preserved and restored it over the centuries.In a post on Twitter, Modi said, “Wrote an oped about his upcoming Somnath Yatra on May 11 and explained why this day will always be important with regard to the greatness of Somnath and our civilization. Also paid tribute to every person who faced all kinds of challenges, yet always protected Somnath and restored its glory.”In the op-ed, the Prime Minister said the visit will mark 75 years of the inauguration of the renovated Somnath temple by India’s first President Rajendra Prasad. PM Modi also referred to the Somnath Swabhiman Parv organized earlier this year to commemorate 1,000 years of the first attack on the temple and described the history of Somnath as a journey “from ruin to renewal” or “from scholars to creation”.