During the Somnath Sankalp Mahotsav in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that foreign invaders, including historical figures like Mohammad Ghori and Aurangzeb, failed to erase India's spiritual and cultural identity. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for spearheading the revival of significant spiritual sites such as the Somnath temple in Gujarat and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, asserting that these initiatives reflect a resurgence of India's civilizational pride. Adityanath condemned the destruction of the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple during Aurangzeb's reign and claimed that Sanatan, representing India's eternal spirit, cannot be confined to physical structures. He also pointed out that there are still forces opposing the progress of India's cultural symbols, referencing past opposition to the reconstruction of the Somnath temple and the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The event served as a call to reconnect with India's roots and celebrate its spiritual heritage, with Adityanath describing the reconstruction of the Somnath temple as a declaration of freedom from historical subjugation.