The Somnath Trust has decided to develop the area around the famous temple on the Saurashtra coast, one of the twelve Jyotirlings and revered by crores of Hindus as a centre of spiritual importance.
The meeting was chaired by the trust president Keshubhai Patel, and was attended by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Mr. Prasannavadan Mehta and Mr. P.K. Laheri, among others.
The trustees decided to beautify the embankment washed by the seawaters, and provide modern facilities for the pilgrims and tourists with the help of latest technological gadgets, including drinking water and comfortable stay.
The Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board will undertake 3.5-km road beautification under Ratnakar Vikas Yojna.
Mr. Keshubhai Patel suggested a number of steps for Golokdham and Gaushala.
Mr. Narendra Modi called for developing Somnath as a Temple Town with a museum, as also the ancient caves found in the vicinity, Golokdham, Dehotsarg, Triveni Sangam, Shivshrishti.
Mr. L.K. Advani stressed on the need for publicizing the more facilities being created in the area, already visited by 45-lakh tourists every year.
The meeting mourned the death of ex-trustee Dineshbhai Shah.
The meeting unanimously decided to recommend Padmashri Harsh Neotia as a trustee in the vacant post.
