The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is one of the holy and auspicious temples in India. The temple experiences a huge footfall all through the year around. Devotees from the local areas and from different regions in India arrive to seek their blessings and offer their prayers. But they have to pass through congested over-crowded localities to reach the temple or dip into the holy waters of the river Ganges.
The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project is aimed to bring smiles among the devotees, facilitating easy and convenient movements throughout the temple premises. The city and the temple also are frequented by travellers from abroad. The project will aid in boosting tourism inviting more and more visitors into the holy city of Varanasi.
The Inauguration of the project
On 13th December, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project. The corridor connects the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the ghats of the river Ganges. Earlier on 8th March, 2019, he has laid the foundation of the project. The cost of Phase 1 is said to cost tentatively INR 339 crore.
Before the inauguration, Mr. Modi, took a dip into the holy Ganges. He arrived at the temple in a double decker boat as part of the Alaknanda cruise. He offered his prayers at the temple and even planted a Rudraksha tree on the temple grounds.
Praising the efforts of the construction workers, PM Modi said, “The Kashi Vishwanath temple premises, which were only around 3000 square feet, has now become about 5 lakh square feet. Now, 50,000 to 75,000 devotees can come to visit the temple and its premises”, as per the latest reports.
Along with the corridor, another 23 buildings have been inaugurated, a Tourist Facilitation Centre, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery and Food Court.
A boost to tourism
The project is aimed at boosting tourism in the city, especially with the new infrastructure in place. Special cruises on the river Ganges have been planned for the tourists. LED screens are being displayed in different parts of the city to showcase the heritage, culture, history and architecture of Kashi. Visitors and devotees can also watch the famous Ganga Aarti of Varanasi and the aarti at the temple on the screens.
Additionally, the Rudraksh Convention Centre has been specially designed like a Shiva Lingam to accommodate almost 1200 people. The centre has an art gallery, meeting rooms and other areas for conducting different events. The roads of the city and the railway station have been further revamped for the ease and convenience of the tourists. An air-conditioned waiting lounge has also been included inside the station.
The project will ease movements of devotees
The devotees can now work comfortably around the temple. The 20 feet long corridor, connecting Lalita Ghat to the temple, will provide easy access and movement for the pilgrims.
An official of the Ministry of Culture said, “Shiva bhakts can take a dip in the river every morning and worship the Lord in the temple, which will now have direct visibility from the ghat”.
Preserving the heritage
Many heritage structures have been restored and preserved during the construction of the corridor. About 40 temples have been discovered so far, with history dated centuries ago. The prominent among them being he Gangeshwar Mahadev temple, the Manokameshwar Mahadev temple, the Jauvinayak temple, and the Shri Kumbha Mahadev temple.
In the National Museum at New Delhi, a gallery has been specifically created to display the remains from the excavations.
The Kashi Vishwanath corridor has indeed introduced a new dimension in the tourism sector of Varanasi. There are high hopes of increasing the advent of the devotees and tourists into this holy city.
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