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PM Modi's inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in 10 points

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Amrutha Pagad
Amrutha PagadDec 13, 2021 | 14:55

PM Modi's inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in 10 points

The holy city of Varanasi is decked up to the nines. The reason – Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Varanasi. He inaugurated the first phase of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor project on his first day in the holy city.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves at a huge crowd in Varanasi. Photo: PTI

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Here are 10 developments you need to know about the Prime Minister’s visit to Varanasi:

1. PM MODI INAUGURATES THE CORRIDOR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor project after offering prayers at the temple. He also planted a sapling on the premises of the temple.

After the inauguration, PM Modi addressed the audience by raising 'Har Har Mahadev' slogans. He said that the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is more than just a place of worship; that it is a place of historical significance.   

He also said that some people with vested interests tried to tarnish the image of the holy city. Moreover, speaking on historical events, PM Modi claimed that invaders like Aurangzeb tried to destroy the culture of the soil with the might of the sword, but today it has withstood all the atrocities. 

Before the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi also offered prayers at the Kaal Bhairav Temple. There on, he went to inspect various Bhawans en-route Lalita Ghat Jetty, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

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After his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath sat down with construction workers involved in the corridor project, to have lunch with them. In his speech as well, he had thanked the workers for their effort to make the Kashi Vishwanath corridor possible.  

The PM's two-day visit to the holy city is packed. In the evening on Monday, December 13, the Prime Minister will witness the Ganga Aarti on board a Ro-Ro Vessel.

2. PRIME MINISTER TAKES A HOLY DIP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clad in saffron, took a holy dip in the river Ganga at the Lalita Ghat, before heading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. 

3. PM STOPS TO ACCEPT TURBAN

The Prime Minister was received by the residents of the holy city with roaring enthusiasm. Residents also showered flower petals as the Prime Minister’s convoy passed by. PM Modi stopped on his way to greet the residents and he also accepted a turban offered by a resident.

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4. WHAT IS THE PROJECT?

The Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor project Phase 1 is being inaugurated by PM Modi on this visit. It has been constructed at the cost of Rs 339 crore. There are 23 buildings that are being inaugurated in the first phase.

The corridor is being built to provide an easy pathway for pilgrims to reach the edge of the Ganga river, who wish to take a dip in the holy waters. Without the corridor, pilgrims usually had to make their way through congested streets to reach the ghats.

Other than making the way to the Ganga river easy, the corridor will also provide facilities such as ‘suvidha kendras’, tourist facilitation centre, ‘vedic kendra’, etc.

The project is spread over nearly 5 lakh square feet as compared to the original premises, which were spread across 3,000 square feet.

5. WHAT IT TOOK TO BUILD THE CORRIDOR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project on March 8, 2019. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Phase 1 of the project was completed within schedule.

Over 300 properties around the Kashi Vishwanath temple were acquired by the government for the project. This involved the rehabilitation of nearly 1,400 shopkeepers, tenants and house owners. According to the Government of India press release, there are no litigations pending in any court regarding the acquisitions or rehabilitation.

6. POLITICS BEHIND THE PM'S VISIT

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PM Modi offering prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Photo: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the holy city is not without its political significance. BJP is gearing up for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections and the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham is supposed to be portrayed as one of the party’s key achievements.

Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit also comprises a meeting with Chief Ministers of the BJP-ruled states, which is reportedly meant to be a show of strength.

7. POLITICAL BICKERING

Samajwadi Party has not taken kindly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. Party President Akhilesh Yadav claimed credit for initiating the project, saying that it was approved by his government.

Akhilesh Yadav was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2017. Yadav said he has documentary proof that his government started the project, with funds being allocated and acquisitions already made underway.

8. ANCIENT TEMPLES FOUND

The Central government said that during the construction of the project, when several old properties were destroyed, they came across over 40 ancient temples. These temples have been now been restored.

9. PRIYANKA GANDHI POSES A QUESTION

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, sharing a news report, asked Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident of burying alive cows in Banda. UP government officials reportedly buried cows alive, and Priyanka Gandhi asked PM Modi whether he would take it up with UP CM Yogi Adityanath during his Varanasi visit.

10. THE LEGEND OF KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is considered one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. Devotees of Lord Shiva find it auspicious to visit all 12 places of worship at least once in their lifetime. According to the temple trust, the present share of the temple was built in 1780 by Indore’s Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar.

The ‘Naubatkhana’, built in front of the temple, was constructed in 1785 by the then Collector, Mohd Ibrahim Khan. The iconic gold-plating around the cone and the dome of the temple was done in 1839.

Last updated: December 13, 2021 | 15:50
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