| In
fact, Munshi was sitting with the Sardar at his house in New Delhi at night when a
telephone message was received from the Regional Commissioner that Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto
had invited the Indian Army into Junagadh. When Sardar conveyed the news to Munshi, he
gave expression to his joy with the words "So it is Jaya Somanatha". The Indian
army entered Junagadh and took over the administration on the 9th November 1947. Four days later, Sardar Patel visited Junagadh.' From Junagadh he
went to Prabhas Patan and visited the temple. He was visibly moved at the sight of the
famous temple which was the glory of India looking so dilapidated, neglected and forlorn.
N. V. Gadgil, who accompanied Sardar, suggested that the Government of India should
rebuild the temple. Sardar asked him to go ahead.
The Jam Saheb of Nawanagar announced a donation of one lakh
of rupees and Samaldas Gandhi on behalf of Arzi Hukumat donated Rs. 51,000. The proposal
as well as the donations were clearly spontaneous. At a huge public meeting held at the
Ahalya Bai Temple ' Sardar announced: "On this auspicious day of the New Year, we
have decided that Somanatha should be reconstructed. You, people of Saurashtra should do
your best. This is a holy task in which all should participate." |
