Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: PM Narendra Modi dip in river Ganga

PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi News LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a holy dip in river Ganga after arriving in Varanasi for his two-day visit. He was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and had a rousing welcome from the people of his Lok Sabha constituency.

The Prime Minister will be inaugurating the Kashi Vishwanath corridor shortly. The temple city’s Rs 339-crore project, the foundation of which was laid by Modi on March 8, 2019, has been completed in less than three years as planned, despite the Covid pandemic. The corridor project was conceptualised to create an easily accessible pathway for the pilgrims, who had to meander through congested streets to take a dip in the Ganga and offering the water of the holy river at the temple.

With the UP Assembly elections around the corner, different political parties have sought credit for the recent development projects in the state such as the Purvanchal Expressway, which was inaugurated last month. For the Kashi Vishwanath corridor as well, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday claimed the project was approved during his term and he has documents to prove it.

Watch | PM Modi takes holy dip in river Ganga

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dip in river Ganga. Following which, he will offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi offers prayers, takes a holy dip in Ganga river in Varanasi

The PM is scheduled to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple and inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project later today

(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/esu5Y6EFEg

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021

Varanasi welcomes PM Modi with slogans, petals

The people of Varanasi gave a warm welcome to Prime Minister Modi by showering flower petals on his car and chanting slogans of ‘Modi, Modi’.

#WATCH | Locals gave a rousing welcome to PM Narendra Modi, showering flower petals and raising slogans of 'Modi, Modi' & 'Har Har Mahadev' in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi

The PM is on a two-day visit to the city to inaugurate Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project pic.twitter.com/155VrYjEpT

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami hails Kashi Vishwanath project

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “A grand Kashi will be seen after crores of years now. Ayodhya is progressing with Ram Temple. Every cultural and heritage project of India is moving forward rapidly under PM Modi’s guidance,” according to ANI.

In Photos | PM Modi, CM Adityanath take a boat to Lalita Ghat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath took a double-decker boat, as reported by ANI, from the Khirkiya Ghat to the Lalita Ghat to reach the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Varanasi | PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath travel in a double-decker boat to Lalita Ghat from Khirkiya Ghat to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple pic.twitter.com/ocEaALDPAQ

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021

Watch | PM Modi greets people in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped out on the streets to greet the people of Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency. He was seen waving to his supporters gathered around him and those watching from rooftops.

#WATCH | People greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/mQkmpdSZ5Z

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021

Watch | PM Modi offers prayers at Kaal Bhairav temple

After landing in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Kaal Bhairav temple. He was accompanied by UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kaal Bhairav temple in Varanasi

Later, he will offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple inaugurate phase 1 of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/ZmO1AG08uC

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021

What is changing at the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple complex?

The Kashi Vishwanath corridor, said to be the PM Modi’s dream project, has been built over an area of 5,000 hectares, and seeks to not only decongest but to also transform the temple complex.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple lacked direct access to the Ganga, and a 20-foot-wide corridor was envisaged to connect Lalita Ghat on the holy river to Mandir Chowk on the temple premises.

“Shiva bhakts can take a dip in the river every morning and worship the Lord in the temple, which will now have direct visibility from the ghat,” an official of the Ministry of Culture said.

Tourism push

The improvement of the infrastructure in Varanasi is expected to give a boost to tourism in the holy city as well as in the region, including the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath.

The Rudraksh Convention Centre, designed like a Shiva lingam, can seat 1,200 people, and has divisible meeting rooms, an art gallery, and multipurpose pre-function areas.

Ganga cruises are planned for tourists, road infrastructure has been upgraded, and the Banaras railway station in the city’s Manduadih area has been revamped with the addition of an air-conditioned waiting lounge.

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