PM Modi inaugurates phase 1 of the newly-constructed Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the first phase of the ₹ 339 crore Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project that connects the temple town's two iconic landmarks - Kashi Vishwanath temple and Ganga ghats. PM is in Varanasi for two days with a packed schedule.
The Prime Minister's holy dip in Ganga, offering of prayers at the Kaal Bhairav temple, and accepting a pagdi (headgear) from a common man - were some of the key moments this morning that preceded the big event.
Twenty-three buildings were be inaugurated in this phase of the project - spread over a massive area of almost five lakh square feet. In comparison, the previous premises were spread across 3,000 square feet.
With Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh around the corner, the event saw the ruling BJP raise the poll pitch and showcase it as one of its key achievements. Top party leaders and Chief Ministers of all BJP-ruled states were called in for a show of strength.
Here are the LIVE Updates from Kashi Vishwanath Corridor:
PM Modi Arrives For Ganga Aarti At Revamped Varanasi Ghat
PM Narendra Modi will witness the Ganga Aarti today at the revamped Varanasi Ghat from a ship.
- The long period of slavery broke the confidence of us Indians in such a way that we lost faith in our own creation.
- Today, from this thousands of years old Kashi, I call upon every countryman - create with full confidence, innovate, do it in an innovative way
- The third resolution that we have to take today is to increase our efforts for self-reliant India.
- This is the elixir of freedom. We are in the 75th year of Independence.
- We will have to work from now on for what India will be like when India celebrates a hundred years of independence
- Today's India is reviving its lost heritage.
- Here in Kashi, Mata Annapurna herself resides.
- I am glad that the statue of Mother Annapurna, which was stolen from Kashi, has now been re-established in Kashi after waiting for a century
- For me Janardan is the form of God, every Indian is a part of God, so I want to ask for something.
- I want three resolutions from you, not for yourself, but for our country - cleanliness, creation and continuous efforts for self-reliant India
- The inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham will give a decisive direction to India, will lead to a brighter future.
- This complex is a witness of our capability, of our duty.
- Nothing is impossible if you are determined, determined
- In the arms of every Indian, there is that force, which makes the unimaginable come true.
- We know penance, we know penance, we know how to spend day and night for the country.
- No matter how big the challenge, we Indians can defeat it together
- In the arms of every Indian, there is that force, which makes the unimaginable come true.
- We know penance, we know how to spend day and night for the country.
- No matter how big the challenge, we Indians can defeat it together
- The feet of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were lying here.
- From Ranilakshmi Bai to Chandrashekhar Azad, Kashi has been the birthplace of many fighters.
- Talents like Bharatendu Harishchandra, Jaishankar Prasad, Munshi Premchand, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Bismillah Khan
- Where to take this remembrance
- Kashi is the land of four Jain Tirthankaras, the epitome of non-violence and austerity.
- From the integrity of King Harishchandra to the knowledge of Vallabhacharya, Ramanand ji
- From Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Samarth Guru Ramdas to Swami Vivekananda, Madan Mohan Malaviya
- How many sages, acharyas have been related to the holy land of Kashi
- Banaras is the city from where Jagadguru Shankaracharya got inspiration from the purity of Sridom Raja, he resolved to tie the country in the thread of unity.
- This is the place where Goswami Tulsidas ji created a supernatural creation like Ramcharitmanas with the inspiration of Lord Shankar
- The realization of Lord Buddha appeared to the world in Sarnath, here.
- For the betterment of the society, sages like Kabirdas appeared here.
- If there was a need to connect the society, then this Kashi became the center of the power of devotion of Sant Raidas ji
- Kashi is not a matter of words, it is a creation of sensations.
- Kashi is that - where awakening is life!
- Kashi is that - where even death is Mars!
- Kashi is that - where truth is the culture!
- Kashi is where love is tradition
- The invaders attacked this city, tried to destroy it. The history of Aurangzeb's atrocities, his terror is witness, who tried to change civilization by the sword. Who tried to crush the culture with fanaticism
- But the soil of this country is different from the rest of the world.
- If Aurangzeb comes here, Shivaji stands up. If any Salar Masood moves here, then brave warriors like King Suheldev make him feel the power of our unity.
- And even during the British era, what did the people to kashi do to warren hastings ?
PM Modi congratulates UP government and Yogi Adityanath for the project
Along with all this, I also congratulate the UP government, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who united day and night to complete the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project
PM Modi thanks workers working in the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Dham
Today, I would also like to express my gratitude to every workers whose sweat has been shed in the construction of this grand complex.
Even in times unlike Corona, they did not let the work stop. I just had the privilege of meeting these labor colleagues and taking their blessings.
I congratulate our artisans, people associated with our civil engineering, people of administration, those families who had their homes here.
PM Modi addresses at the launch of Kashi Vishwanath corridor project in Varanasi:
- Right now, along with Baba, I am also coming after seeing the city Kotwal Kalbhairav ji, bringing his blessings for the countrymen.
- Anything special in Kashi, anything new, it is necessary to ask Kaal Bhairav, Kotwal of Kashi
- It is said in our Puranas that as soon as one enters Kashi, one becomes free from all bondage.
- Blessings of Lord Vishweshwara, a supernatural energy awakens our inner-soul as soon as we come here
- When you come here, you will not see only faith.
- You will also feel the glory of your past here.
- How antiquity and novelty come alive together,
- How the inspirations of the ancient are giving direction to the future,
- We are doing its direct darshan in Vishwanath Dham complex:
- This whole new complex of Vishwanath Dham is not just a grand building,
- This is a symbol of the Sanatan culture of our India!
- It is a symbol of our spiritual soul! It is a symbol of India's antiquity, traditions! India's energy, mobility
- Earlier the temple area here which was only three thousand square feet, it has now become about 5 lakh square feet.
- Now 50 to 75 thousand devotees can come to the temple and temple premises.
- That is, first the darshan-bath of Mother Ganga, and from there directly to Vishwanath Dham
- Kashi is Kashi! Kashi is imperishable.
- There is only one government in Kashi, those who have damru in their hands have their government.
- Who can stop Kashi where Ganga flows by changing its current?
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi.
PM Modi greeted the workers working in the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Dham by showering them with flowers
PM's Itinerary In Varanasi For Big Temple Corridor Project LaunchThe ambitious Kashi Vishwanath corridor in the heart of Varanasi, a mega project to facilitate tourism by connecting an iconic temple to river banks, is the highlight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day trip to his constituency in Uttar Pradesh, one of the five states voting early next year.
The packed visit will also see the Prime Minister taking a cruise and witnessing the famous evening aarti in the holy city.
Here is the PM's schedule today
10.10 am to 10.40 am: Lands in Varanasi
12 to 12.10 pm: Prayers at Kal Bhairav temple
1-1.20 pm: Darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple
1.20 -2.30 pm: Inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath corridor
2.30-3.50 pm: Roadshow, drive-through inspection of refurbished buildings in Kashi
3.50 pm: PM leaves for Guesthouse
6 pm -8.30 pm: PM offers prayers at Ganga Ghat and attends Ganga aarti.
PM attends meeting to take stock of development work in his constituency.
Watch: PM Modi offers prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi
Statues Of Adi Shankaracharya, Bharat Mata Installed At Kashi Vishwanath DhamA stone-made sculpture of Bharat Mata against the symbolic backdrop of India, and statues of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar and saint Adi Shankaracharya have been installed in the sprawling campus of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, which has been bedecked with flowers for its inauguration on Monday.
In a few hours from now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the people the ambitious Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in the heart of Varanasi, a mega project that is expected to boost tourism in the ancient city in a big way, after offering prayers at the ancient temple that draws massive number of visitors from India and abroad.
The Prime Minister's Office tweeted around 10:45 AM that "The Prime Minister landed in Varanasi a short while ago". Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed him at the airport.
The mega corridor, whose foundation stone was laid by Modi on March 8, 2019, connects the main temple with Lalita Ghat via a corridor, and grand gateways and ornamental arches have been built in heritage architecture style in four directions, facing the ancient temple at its core.
The corridor project is now being referred to as Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
PM Modi offers prayers to Lord Shiva at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.
PM in Varanasi: PM Modi takes holy dip in River GangaPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a holy dip in the River Ganga in Varanasi.
The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency.
Adorning a saffron-coloured attire, PM Modi offered flowers to the holy river and chanted mantras on a rosary. He also took water from the Ganga for the ''jalaabhishek'' at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
He will inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath Dham at around 1:20 pm after offering prayers at the iconic temple situated at the Lalita Ghat where he arrived on Alaknanda cruise, a double-decker boat.
The Prime Minister will also witness the Ganga Aarti while on-board a Ro-Ro Vessel at around 6 pm.
PM Modi receives a grand welcome as he reaches Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
PM in Varanasi: PM Modi offers prayers, takes a dip in the river Ganga at Lalita Ghat in Varanasi.
PM Modi accepts turban from a common man
PM Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath travel in a double-decker boat to Lalita Ghat from Khirkiya Ghat to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple.
People greet PM Modi in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
PM Modi offers prayers at Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi
In Pics: Colourful Glimpses Of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
Kashi Vishwanath corridor: The Phase 1 of the project has been built at a cost of ₹ 339 crore.
The project was conceptualised as a project to create an easily accessible pathway to connect the historic Kashi Vishwanath temple to the banks of the River Ganga, said a PMO statement.
Twenty-three buildings will be inaugurated in the phase 1 of the project offering diverse facilities to pilgrims and devotees.
The gateways and other structures have been built with stones and other material using traditional craftsmanship.
The project is spread over an area of 5 lakh square feet while the earlier premises was limited to just around 3,000 square feet.
The temple corridor project involved purchase and acquisitions of over 300 properties around the temple.
Around 1,400 shopkeepers, tenants and homeowners were rehabilitated in the process.
During the process of destruction of the old properties, over 40 ancient temples were rediscovered and restored, said PMO.
The foundation stone for the temple corridor project was laid in 2019.
PM Modi to offer prayers at Kaal Bhiarav temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi todayPM Modi to offer prayers at Kaal Bhiarav temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will offer prayers at Kaal Bhiarav temple and Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi during his two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency.
PM Modi will visit the Kaal Bhiarav temple at around 12 noon whereas he will offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple at around 1 pm.
He will inaugurate Kashi Vishwanath Dham at around 1:20 pm.
The Prime Minister will also witness the Ganga aarti while on-board a Ro-Ro Vessel at around 6 pm.
Meanwhile, the city is decked up for the visit of the Prime Minister.
Yogi Adityanath's "Bua-Babua" Barb At Rivals Over Grand Kashi ProjectUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday attacked opposition parties over the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, a mega project that is expected to boost tourism in Varanasi in a big way.
Addressing the meeting of "booth adhyaksh" of the BJP's Braj region in Etah, Mr Adityanath said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to dedicate the ambitious Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in the heart of Varanasi to the people. Would Congress or "buaa" (apparently referring to BSP chief Mayawati) have built the Kashi Vishwanath Dhaam? And, whether "babuaa" (apparently referring to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav) sung the songs of Lord Shiva?"
His comments came after Akhilesh Yadav claimed the project was approved during his term and there was documentary evidence of it.
The Samajwadi Party leader also alleged that the BJP government has lined up a series of programmes to herald the start of the corridor only to deflect people's attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's failure to double the income of farmers.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today inaugurate the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project, which will connect two iconic landmarks - Kashi Vishwanath temple and Ganga ghats, in his constituency, Varanasi.
- PM Modi will visit the temple at 1 pm and inaugurate phase one of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, constructed at a cost of ₹ 339 crore.
- 23 buildings will be inaugurated in this phase of the project - spread over a massive area of almost five lakh square feet. In comparison, the previous premises was spread across 3,000 square feet.
- PM Modi will first visit the ancient Kal Bhairav temple. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, he will offer prayers, aided by Shrikant Mishra - the main priest of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
- He will enter the corridor from the Lalita Ghat and reach the 'Mandir Parisar' through the ornate north gate of the premises, according to PTI.
- He will also offer Ganga water to the 'shiv ling' inside.