To poll-bound UP, Modi gifts a revamped Kashi Temple

The temple now has a 20-foot-wide corridor connecting its Mandir Chowk to the holy Ganga's Lalita Ghat

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project in his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi amid chanting of Vedic hymns and 'shlokas' hailing Lord Shiva and recalled the ancient glory of the town saying that the renovated Temple would enable the devotees to have a glimpse of the glorious past of the country.

Clad in saffron clothes, Modi performed the rituals in the presence of a large number of saints from across the country after paying obeisance at the famous Kal Bhairav temple in the city. He had carried the holy waters from the Ganga and offered the same on the Shivalingam. He took a dip in the Ganga and also offered water to the Sun and puja of the holy river.

There were shouts of 'Bum Bum Bhole' (greeting Lord Shiva) from the crowds as Modi's cavalcade passed through on way to the Kashi Vishwanath Dham.

Read | Statues of Shankaracharya, Ahilyabai, Bharat Mata installed at Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Speaking after launching the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, which was spread over five lakh square feet and was equipped with all modern facilities for the devotees, said that the Dham was an example of the confluence of the ancient and the modern.

He said that Kashi (the old name of Varanasi) had been home to several iconic personalities, who enlightened the world with their wisdom. ''Kashi has witnessed many ups and downs....If people like Aurangzeb (one of the Mughal kings) made attempt to kill our culture, there also were people like Shivaji, who protected the same,'' Modi said.

The prime minister said that despite efforts to destroy Kashi, the city had moved on and had been able to preserve its rich culture.

In Pics | The new Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project, whose foundation stone had been laid by the prime minister in March 2019, had a Vedic library, meditation platforms, virtual Vedic gallery, a cafeteria, food court and other facilities for the pilgrims. An estimated Rs. 1000 crore had been spent on the Project.

The prime minister launched the first phase of the Project on Monday.

The Project was mired in some controversies also as a section of the people, whose shops and houses were razed to clear the way for the Temple, voiced their opposition to the same. Hundreds of smaller, ancient temples were also razed for the Project.

Also Read | Yogi's ‘bua’, ‘babua’ barb ahead of Kashi Vishwanath corridor inauguration

The Temple had been renovated after 350 years, according to the officials associated with the Project. ''Rani Ahilya Bai had earlier renovated the Temple,'' said one of the officials of the Kashi Vishwanath Trust in Varanasi.

The officials also said that care was taken to ensure that the ancient structure of the Temple was not demolished and its traditional form remained the same.

The launching, which came barely a few months ahead of the next assembly polls, was turned into a mega event by the Uttar Pradesh government, which had invited thousands of seers and saints from different parts of the country. The UP government would also hold its cabinet meeting here a few days later. The chief ministers of the BJP ruled states would also be visiting Varanasi on Tuesday.

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