PM Modi visits Varanasi to inaugurate Kashi Vishwanath Dham
By: Pallab Ghosh
Radiance News Service
Varanasi all decked up to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a two-day visit to Varanasi which is also his parliamentary constituency. The Prime Minister will inaugurate Phase 1 of the newly-constructed Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
PM Modi tweeted on Sunday:
"Tomorrow, 13th December is a landmark day. At a special programme in Kashi, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham project will be inaugurated. This will add to Kashi's spiritual vibrancy. I would urge you all to join tomorrow's programme".
According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), at around 1 PM on December 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and offer prayers. He will inaugurate phase 1 of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
Constructed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores, the project involved the purchase and acquisition of more than 300 properties around Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The rehabilitation of around 1400 shopkeepers, tenants and homeowners were completed successfully.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Kashi Vishwanath temple will be presented as a new 'Dham' to the nation and world. This 'Dham' will give a new, global identity to Varanasi."
According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), The Prime Minister conducted regular briefings, reviews and monitoring to know the development of the project. He took an active interest at all stages of the project. Special attention has been given to disabled and old age people who would visit the place and provision of ramps, escalators, and other modern facilities have been designed.
Earlier, this temple was only situated 2,000 metres, but now it has been spread over 50,000 square metres
In the first phase, a total of 23 buildings will be inaugurated that will provide a wide range of facilities to pilgrims like - Visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, yatri suvidha kendras, vedic centres, tourist facilitation centres, bhogshala, Mumukshu Bhawan, city museum, viewing gallery, and food court.
On December 14, PM Modi will participate in a conclave of Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Manipur, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh along with deputy chief ministers from Nagaland, and Bihar.
PM Modi will also attend the 98th-anniversary celebrations of Sadguru Sadafaldeo Vihangam Yog Sansthan at Swarved Mahamandir in Varanasi.