The Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has announced the issuance of a special Rs 75 commemorative coin to mark two major milestones associated with the Somnath Temple — 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the temple and 75 years of its reconstruction. The notification was issued through an Extraordinary Gazette dated May 8, 2026.
The commemorative coin will be issued under the provisions of the Coinage Act, 2011. According to the notification, the coin will be minted under the authority of the Central Government and will come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
COIN SPECIFICATIONS
The ₹75 coin will be circular in shape with a diameter of 44 millimetres and will feature 200 serrations along its edge. It will be minted in pure silver with a purity of 99.9 per cent. The standard weight of the coin has been fixed at 40 grams, with a permissible variation between 39.995 grams and 40.005 grams.
DESIGN DETAILS
The obverse side of the coin will feature the Lion Capital of Ashoka at the centre along with the inscription “Satyameva Jayate.” The words “Bharat” and “India” will appear on the left and right periphery respectively, while the rupee symbol “₹” and the denomination “75” will be displayed below the emblem.
The reverse side will showcase an image of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. The upper periphery of the coin will carry an inscription celebrating 1,000 years of India’s unwavering faith and spirituality, while the lower portion will bear the English inscription: “A Celebration of 1000 Years of India’s Unwavering Faith and Devotion.” The reverse side will also include the words “Somnath Temple, Gujarat” along with the year “2026.”
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Located in Prabhas Patan in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district, the Somnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds immense religious significance. Over centuries, the temple has come to symbolise resilience and revival after facing repeated invasions and destruction.
The current structure was rebuilt after Independence through efforts led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The reconstruction project was completed in the early 1950s, making 2026 the 75th year of the temple’s reconstruction.
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