Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: The first phase of the project, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate in a few minutes, cost 339 crores.
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor initiative aims to improve pilgrims’ perceptions of the temple town. The idea has piqued Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interest, according to his office.
History of Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Following the destruction of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple by Mughal monarch Aurangzeb in 1669, Maharani Ahilyabai of the Maratha Empire reconstructed the Vishwanath temple in 1777. Raja Ranjit Singh had the temple’s top adorned with gold in 1835, while Raja Ausanganj Trivikram Singh had supplied silver doors to the temple’s sanctum sanctorum in 1836.
Qutubuddin Aibak damaged the Kashi Vishwanath temple before Aurangzeb in 1194, according to the key period associated to Kashi Vishwanath. A Gujarati merchant repaired the temple in the 13th century, while the Sharqi dynasty’s emperors destroyed it in the 14th century. Todar Mal renovated the Kashi Vishwanath temple once more in 1585. The temple has been restored as Vishwanath Dham for the third time in 436 years.
Here is your 5-point guide on this grand plan Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
- In Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project connects the historic Kashi Vishwanath temple with the Ganga ghats.
- The initiative aims to make it easier for pilgrims and devotees to go between the ghats and the temple. Previously, people had to navigate clogged streets to get to the temple.
- The first phase of the project, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate in a short while, has been built at a cost of ₹ 339 crore. The first phase is spread across an area of about 5 lakh sq feet and comprises 23 buildings.
- During the construction of the project, more than 40 ancient temples were found. According to the PMO statement, they were restored while ensuring that the original structure was preserved.
- The project, whose foundation stone was laid in 2019, is expected to cost over 800 crore in total. To carry out the master plan, almost 300 properties have been purchased. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), about 1,400 shopkeepers, tenants, and homeowners were rehabilitated.
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About the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the most wellknown Hindu temples devoted to Lord Shiva is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is situated in Varanasi’s Vishwanath Gali, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, or Jyotirlingams, the holiest of Shiva Temples, and is located on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara are the names of the major god, which literally mean “Lord of the Universe.” In ancient times, Varanasi was known as Kashi, and the temple is now known as Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Vishva Universe, Ishvara lord, one who has dominion is the etymology of the name Vishveshvara.
For a long time, the Temple has been mentioned in Hindu scriptures as a major aspect of Shaiva philosophy devotion. Many Muslim monarchs had demolished it, the most recent being Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, who built the Gyanvapi Mosque on its location. In 1780, the Maratha ruler Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore built the current edifice on an adjacent location.
The Uttar Pradesh government has been in charge of the shrine since 1983. Kashi Naresh is the principal officiating priest at the holy festival of Shivratri. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the big Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple on December 13, 2021.
Renovation Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Pink Chunar stones, such as Pink Sinti, are used to embellish Vishwanath Dham.
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the continuous flow of Ganga from Ganga will be visible to devotees.
- Gangadhar will flow into the sanctum sanctorum of Kashi Vishwanath temple.
- The first such spiritual institution, which also houses a statue of Mother India.
- Adi Shankaracharya’s statue and Maharani Ahilyabai’s statue were also placed.
- The main temple complex’s parikrama path is 80 feet long and 40 feet broad.
- The Parikrama Mandap has 157 pairs of pillars.
- The Gyanvapi mandapa-well and a portion of Adi Vishveshwara’s Nandi main temple have been restored after 352 years.
- Gates that resemble fortifications All four directions are 32 feet high and 40 feet wide.
- In Vishal Mandir Chowk, a total of 50 thousand devotees will be allowed to stay at one time.
- There are seven different types of stones in Chunar, in addition to the sandstone.
- Milky Marble Flooring by Makrana.
- Mandana Stone, Jaisalmer, on the Ghat’s stairwell.
- Granite and Kota are used in Vedic centres, museums, and other distinctive structures.
- To protect against earthquakes and landslides, stones have been affixed to brass plates.
- Brass plate tightening with a 12-inch gulli With a length of 18 inches and a weight of 600 grammes.
- Filling the gap between brass and stones with chemical lapax ultra fix
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Wiki
The Prime Minister’s aim was to make it easier for visitors and devotees to take a plunge in the holy river, collect Gangajal, and offer it at the Baba Vishwanath temple when they practised the age-old habit of taking a dip in the holy river, collecting Gangajal, and offering it there.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor was conceived as a project to establish an easily accessible road from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor to the banks of the River Ganga in order to realise this objective. On March 8, 2019, the Prime Minister placed the project’s foundation stone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the first phase of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which cost over 339 crores to build. In phase one of the project, a total of 23 structures were completed.
Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery, and Food Court would be among the services available to pilgrims visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
PM Modi inaugurates renovated Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi. He said that that earlier the temple area was only 3000 square feet which has now enlarged to about 5 lakh square feet. Now 50000-75000 devotees can visit the temple and temple premises. Describing the grace of Kashi, PM Modi said it cannot be expressed merely in words as it is an emotion in itself.
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi boards Vivekanand Cruise at Ravidas Ghat in Varanasi. He will take part in ‘Ganga Aarti’ shortly. CM Yogi Adityanath & other CMs-Deputy CMs of BJP ruled states also present.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi boards Vivekanand Cruise at Ravidas Ghat in Varanasi. He will take part in ‘Ganga Aarti’ shortly. CM Yogi Adityanath & other CMs-Deputy CMs of BJP ruled states also present. pic.twitter.com/Wt69gAoFDL
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021
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Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Blueprint
In March of 2018, Prime Minister Modi announced the start of work on this project in his constituency. According to the blueprint, the overall project area is 30,000 square metres, with a footfall of 15,000 on weekdays, 40,000 on weekends, and 2.5 to 3 lakh on peak days like ‘Maha Shivratri.’
Three ‘Yatri Suvidha Kendras,’ guesthouses, a hospice (‘Mumukshu Bhavan,’ library, museum, and a spiritual book centre have been established for pilgrims along the 25-foot wide corridor from Lalita Ghat to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The project also includes a Ganga View Cafe, a 3,500-square-meter majestic Mandir Chowk, a City Museum & Nilkanth Pavilion, and seven decorative gates. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Parishad will preserve the major temple grounds, communal spaces such as the hallway and ghats, and structures such as the Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Bhogshala, and Nilkanth Pavilion.
How to Reach the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple by Road
Varanasi has a large and extensive road network, with frequent private and public buses and other forms of road transportation to all of Uttar Pradesh’s major cities and towns. Vishwanath Gali, a lane known in Varanasi for its stores selling tasty sweets, puja goods, apparel, and fashion jewellery, can be reached by autorickshaw or taxi.
How To Reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple by Rail
The city of Varanasi is well-connected by rail, and the temple is close to a number of stations. Varanasi City station is only 2 kilometres distant, while Varanasi Junction is around 6 kilometres away. Mughalsarai Junction station is the farthest away, at 17 kilometres, whereas Maduadih station is only 4 kilometres away. The majority of these stations have excellent connections to India’s major metro systems.
How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple by Air
The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Babatpur is the closest airport to the temple. The temple is just 25 kilometres away, or less than an hour by car. There are private and public cabs and buses that may take you right to the temple from the airport. Also see: Latest News Highlights: On Thursday, the Punjab government will make a decision on the General Caste Commission.
Which Is The Best Time To Visit Kashi?
The winter months are the greatest time to visit Varanasi (October to March). Despite the fact that it becomes quite cold during the winters, this is the greatest time to visit the holy city because it is the least tiring. The low temperature is around 5°C on average.
Visiting hours Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most well-known Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in Varanasi’s Vishwanath Gali, Uttar Pradesh, India, and is open from 3 AM to 11 PM. The temple opens early in the morning and closes late at night.
Visiting Places in Kashi Vishwanath Temple
There are 5 Places you visit in Kashi Vishwanath Temple is:
- Visit the Ghats
- Visit Temples
- Take a Boat Ride Across The Ganges
- Visit the Dashashwamedh Ghat which is known for its proximity to the temple and fabulous Ganga Aarti.
- Visit the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath
Best Transportation for Kashi Vishwanath Temple
There are the Best Transportation for Kashi Vishwanath Temple is Hired cab or taxi or on foot.
Events In Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Maha Shivratri [ Feb-March ]
- Dev Diwali 15th day from Diwali
- Makar Sankranti 14th Jan
Aarti Timings in Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple opens at 2.30 AM every day. There are 5 Aartis that are conducted in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple daily.
- Mangala Aarti: 3 AM – 4 AM
- Bhoga Aarti: 11.15 AM – 12.20 PM
- Sandhya Aarti: 7.00 PM – 8.15 PM
- Shringara Aarti: 9.00 PM – 10.15 PM
- Shayana Aarti: 10.30 PM – 11.00 PM
Security Procedures in Kashi Vishwanath Temple
As you enter the temple, there are a lot of police checkpoints, and security protocols are carefully followed, with periodic frisking. Cell phones, cameras, belts with metal buckles, shoes, cigarettes, and lighters are not permitted on the temple grounds. Lockers can be rented for a small fee.
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