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 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 ?
- 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 Narendra Modi asked security men to step aside as he accepted a pagdi and a scarf from a man on the streets of Varanasi today, as his convoy headed to a famous temple ring-fenced by heavy security. Read more
- 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.