Kashi Vishwanath Dham lit up with lights ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi on Sunday, December 12, 2021. (PTI photo)
What is changing in the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple complex?
The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which is said to be PM Modi’s dream project, is built on an area of 5,000 hectares, and seeks to not only decongest the temple complex but also transform the temple complex.
The Kashi Vishwanath temple did not have direct access to the Ganges, and a 20-foot-wide corridor was envisaged in the temple complex to connect Lalita Ghat on the holy river to the temple square.
“Shiva devotees can take a dip in the river every morning and offer prayers to the deity at the temple, which will now be visible directly from the ghat,” said a culture ministry official.
tourism push
The improvement of infrastructure in Varanasi is expected to boost tourism in the region including the holy city as well as the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath.
The Rudraksh Convention Centre, which is designed like a Shiva lingam, can seat 1,200 people, and has divisible living rooms, an art gallery, and multi-purpose pre-working areas.
Ganga cruises for tourists have been planned, road infrastructure has been upgraded, and the Banaras railway station in the city’s Manduadih area has been revamped with an air-conditioned waiting room.
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