The temple complex has undergone major changes as part of the reconstruction. The temple has undergone major renovations to facilitate the access of devotees to the shrine and the river Ganga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the reconstructed temple corridor. Everything you need to know about the major changes made to the temple
The Prime Minister today inaugurated the first phase of the project to renovate Sri Kashi Vishwanath Dham. “The first step is to create an easily accessible road connecting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the banks of the Ganges. One of the long-term goals of the Prime Minister was to facilitate the pilgrims and devotees of Baba Vishwanath. The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that collecting Ganga water from the river and offering it to the temple is one of the important rituals here.
As part of the first phase, 23 buildings offering various facilities will be inaugurated. Centers offering basic facilities to pilgrims, Veda Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery and Food Court are all set to open.
Major changes made to the temple
The temple complex was formerly about 3,000 square feet. However, the PM’s office said that the makeover of the temple covers an area of about 5 lakh square feet. The PMO also said that new ramps, escalators and other facilities have been installed at the temple, including for disabled visitors.
The reconstruction has been done without damaging the heritage. The PMO said in a statement that more than 40 ancient temples have been “renovated and beautified” as part of the widening of the temple corridor.
” This Kashi Vishwanath Dham is an opportunity to somehow liberate Bole Baba. God has been confined within these four walls for a long time. For a long time our God has been trapped here and suffocated. Not only will Bhole Baba be liberated through reconstruction, but it will also be a great experience for the devotees’, said Prime Minister Modi while laying the foundation stone for the project in March 2019.
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According to Hindu mythology, Kashi is a very ancient temple and the roads to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple have remained narrow without any changes. But the PMO said more than 300 objects around the temple would have to be acquired for the project to replace that old map of the area.
Despite reports of protests and protests by locals against the demolition of the old buildings, which are full of legends, the PM’s office said the ‘rehabilitation of about 1,400 shopkeepers, tenants and homeowners was very friendly’.
“Is it right that the paths of our sacred temple are dirty?” The paths to the temple are very narrow. If even our temples are not examples of cleanliness, what about our own affairs? In his March 2019 speech in Varanasi, Prime Minister Modi mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi had asked him while speaking at the Banaras Hindu University in 1916. “When Mahatma Gandhi visited this place, even Bole Baba was saddened to see his miserable condition,” Modi said.
According to reports quoting locals, the project, which is being implemented under the leadership of Narendra Modi, is expected to transform the Kashi Vishwanath temple and its surroundings. However, the Prime Minister had stated that the aim was to ensure that all heritage structures are protected during the development of the project.
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Mutual discussions and amicable settlements with the locals for the reconstruction of the temple, ”the statement said, adding that the acquisition of the project has not been taken to any court.
The first phase of the project was completed at a cost of about `339 crore. In June 2019, HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt. Ltd., headed by Ahmedabad – based Bimal Patel, prepared a detailed project report for the project. Patel, who is also the architect of the Central Vista project in New Delhi, has estimated the cost of the entire project at Rs 750 crore.
About Kashi Vishwanath Temple
History is always mixed with myths. When it comes to ancient places of worship in India, the facts become legendary. As Nobel Prize-winning American novelist Mark Twain wrote, ‘Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older than legend, and twice as old as it all came together.’
Situated on the west bank of the Ganges, this temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, according to the Varanasi District Administration.
According to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, the present day temple was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. The two towers of the temple were gilded in 1839 with the contribution of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
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