Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated phase 1 of Kashi Vishwanath Dham , constructed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores in Varanasi on Monday. Amid chants of Har Har Mahadev, Modi began his speech by saying that Vishwanath Dham was filled with unlimited and unbound energy, its significance was touching the skies, the nearby temples that had come to be hidden have also been restored. “The inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor - Today is Lord Shiva’s favourite day - Monday, history is being written on this auspicious day and it is our honour to witness this,” Modi said. Modi said, “I bow to Baba Vishwanath & ask for his blessings. Today, Kashi is scripting history and it is our fortune that we are present to witness it.” The prime minister said that a new chapter was being written in the history of Kashi Vishwanath. He added that Kashi Vishwanath Dham premises were not just a grand ‘bhavan’ but a symbol of India’s ‘Sanatan’ culture and traditions. He said that people will see how inspirations of the ancient are giving direction to the future. “Kashi Vishwanath temple premises which were only around three thousand square feet have now become about five lakh square feet. Now, 50,000 to 75,000 devotees can come to visit the temple and its premises,” Modi added. The prime minister said that the invaders attacked the city, tried to destroy it! He further said that the history of Aurangzeb’s atrocities, his terror is witness. He said that people 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. Lauding the resilience of India’s civilisational heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said tyrants like Aurangzeb tried to destroy Kashi but were consigned to the “black pages” of history while the ancient city is now writing a new chapter of its glory. In a speech after inaugurating the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, which has renovated and expanded the temple’s premises, Modi said India is now stepping out of the “inferiority” complex brought on it by centuries of slavery. He asserted that the new Kashi corridor will give a decisive direction to the country and lead it to a bright future. The prime minister said, “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.” Modi said that India was reviving its lost heritage on this day. He added that Mata Annapurna herself resides in Kashi. “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,” Modi said. The prime minister also sought three commitments from people, cleanliness, innovation and self-reliance. Lauding the efforts of labourers, Modi said, “I would also like to express my gratitude towards every labourer who has worked for the construction of this grand complex. Even during COVID-19, the work did not stop here”. Prime Minister Modi showered floral petals on a group of workers who have been part of the construction of the mega Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and attended its inauguration held with great pageantry in the holy city. He also had lunch with the workers at a hall in the complex. Labourers, engineers, and craftspersons from various parts of India have contributed to building the Corridor and refurbishing the premises of the revered ancient temple. He further added, “Behind the success of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham project is the hardwork of countless individuals. During today’s programme I had the opportunity to honour them and have lunch with them. My Pranams to these proud children of Bharat Mata”
Behind the success of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham project is the hardwork of countless individuals. During today’s programme I had the opportunity to honour them and have lunch with them. My Pranams to these proud children of Bharat Mata! pic.twitter.com/iclAG9bmAR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2021
Talking about heritage and development, Modi said that the new India was proud of its culture and also had confidence in its ability. “There is ‘Virasat’ and ‘Vikas’ in the new India”, said Modi. Modi also paid his homage to Adi Shankaracharya, saying that he has made monumental contributions towards preserving India’s culture and civilisational ethos. He even inaugurated the statue of Bharat Mata in Kashi.
काशी विश्वनाथ धाम में स्थापित भारत माता की प्रतिमा के सम्मुख श्रद्धा सुमन अर्पित किए।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2021
विश्वनाथ धाम में माँ भारती का ये स्वरूप आस्था के साथ राष्ट्र के प्रति हमारे कर्तव्यों का भी बोध कराएगा। pic.twitter.com/cKHSao7LU3
He witnessed the spectacular Ganga ‘aarti’ in the evening while onboard a river cruise with chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states. Modi boarded the Swami Vivekananda cruise at Sant Ravidas Ghat to witness the evening ‘aarti’ on the banks of river Ganga that were illuminated by thousands of diyas. BJP president J P Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were among those who accompanied Modi on the cruise. M V Vivekananda took the special guests on a memorable journey as it cruised along the illuminated ghats, offering spectacular views of the holy city. Thousands of people gathered at various ghats to catch a glimpse of the ‘aarti’ and the prime minister. People cheered and chanted ‘Har Har Mahadev’ when the cruise halted at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. Priests chanted hymns, bells clanged and the sound of conch added to the divine ambience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses for a photograph with BJP national president JP Nadda, CM and Deputy CMs of BJP-ruled states, in Varanasi
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021
All of them witnessed Ganga 'aarti', laser light & sound show at the ghat, this evening pic.twitter.com/0yEwEB5Oyn
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a “golden chapter” in the history of Indian culture by launching the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor project. Thanking Modi on behalf of the country, the minister said devotees will be able to have a better ‘darshan’ of the historic temple complex in Varanasi following the redevelopment. Nadda also thanked PM Modi for the “revival” of Kashi and cultural and spiritual heritage of “sanatan” religion. Adityanath also said that Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of grand Kashi Vishwanath Dham got fulfilled under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.