Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates first phase of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham was conceptualised as a project to create an easily accessible pathway to connect Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the banks of the River Ganga.

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News agency PTI tweeted from its official Twitter handle, "PM Narendra Modi inaugurates first phase of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi."

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates first phase of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2021

News agency also tweeted, "Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates phase 1 of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, constructed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores."

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates phase 1 of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, constructed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores pic.twitter.com/kYN6rcyFRX

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021

One can hear the full speech of PM Modi from his official Twitter handle:

Special day for us all. Inauguration of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham. https://t.co/Kcih2dI0FG

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2021

The press release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Sunday said that it was the vision of the Prime Minister for a long time, to facilitate the pilgrims and devotees of Baba Vishwanath, who had to encounter congested streets and surroundings with poor upkeep, when they practiced the age-old custom of taking a dip in the holy river, collecting Gangajal and offering it at the temple. To kickstart the work for this pious endeavour, the foundation stone of the project was laid by the Prime Minister on March 8, 2019.

It has to be noted that constructed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores, the renovation project seeks to provide a variety of facilities to the pilgrims visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, including Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery, Food Court, among others.

A total of 23 buildings will be inaugurated in phase 1 of the project. The project is spread over an area of about 5 lakh square feet against the earlier premises of 3000 square feet, the PMO release said.

Notably, 40 ancient temples, which were discovered during the course of the project, have been restored. “..During the process of destruction of the old properties, more than 40 ancient temples were rediscovered. These temples have been restored and beautified, while ensuring that there is no change in the original structure,” the press release noted.