PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of Kashi Vishwanath Dham on Monday. The Prime Minister is on a 48-hour visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.
As his convoy roamed the city, PM Modi was met with chants and hymns by locals, who stood by the roadside to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s convoy passed through the narrow streets of Varanasi, some people also waved the tricolor from their balconies and verandahs.
Addressing a huge crowd during the inauguration, the Prime Minister said that the temple area at Kashi Vishwanath Dham has been increased to about five lakh square feet from the earlier 3,000 square feet. PM Modi also said that Kashi Vishwanath Dham is a “symbol of Sanatan culture” of India.
PM Modi addressing the inauguration of the redeveloped Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi on Monday. PTI
“Invaders attacked this city, tried to destroy it. History is witness to Aurangzeb’s atrocities, his terror. He tried to change civilization with the sword. He fanatically tried to crush the culture.”
“But the soil of this country is different from the rest of the world. Here if (Mughal emperor) Aurangzeb comes, a (Maratha warrior) Shivaji also rises up. If a Salar Masood moves forward, a warrior like Raja Suhaldev will get him in this place. Let us make sense of the matter. The power of our unity,” the prime minister said In his address in the post-poll Uttar Pradesh.
PM Modi visits Kashi Vishwanath Dham temple in Varanasi on Monday. PTI
PM offers prayers at Kal Bhairav Temple
On reaching Varanasi, PM Narendra Modi first visited the Kaal Bhairav Temple.
She prayed Also did ‘Aarti’ in Kaal Bhairav temple.
PM Modi offers donors at Kal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi on Monday. PTI
The Prime Minister tweeted in Hindi and wrote, “I am overwhelmed to reach Kashi. After some time, we will all see the launch of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project. Earlier, I had darshan of Kaal Bhairav Ji, Kotwal of Kashi.”
After his speech at the inauguration, the Prime Minister also attended a conference of BJP Chief Ministers at the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) premises.
PM breaks protocol to take ‘turban’
As the Prime Minister’s convoy passed through the streets of Varanasi, a man demanded to offer him a pink turban near the Kaal Bhairav temple.
The man was chased away by the SPG personnel and the local police. After this, PM Modi signaled from inside the car to allow the person wearing saffron clothes to come near him. He then offered a “pitambari” (saffron ‘angavastra’) to the Prime Minister, which PM Modi accepted with folded hands and a smile.
PM Modi greeting people in Varanasi on Monday. PTI
dip in the Ganges
After this PM Modi went to Lalita Ghat in Varanasi, where he took a dip in the Ganges, The scenes depict the Prime Minister bowing down to the holy river which has held an important place in Indian civilization for thousands of years.
PM Modi tweeted in Hindi and wrote, “Sitting in the lap of Mother Ganga, its affection has made me feel grateful. It was as if the waves of Maa Ganga were showering blessings on Vishwanath Dham.”
PM Modi taking a holy dip in the Ganges during his visit to Varanasi on Monday. PTI
The Prime Minister also collected holy water from the Ganges for worship at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. During his address later in the day, PM Modi was quoted as saying, “We need to maintain the success of Namami Gange.”
Architect Bimal Patel had recently told a leading publication that the Kashi Vishwanath project was to link the two great symbols of Varanasi – the Ganges and the temple.
Lunch, group photo with construction workers
Before his address at a venue full of supporters, PM Narendra Modi had said lunch with construction workers Who worked on the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project.
Images of the prime minister having lunch at the same table as construction workers remained the subject of discussion throughout the day.
PM Modi having lunch with construction workers of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Redevelopment Project, in Varanasi on Monday. PTI
Prime Minister also seen Bathing construction workers with flower petals To show your appreciation for their work.
PM Modi showers flowers on construction workers in Varanasi on Monday. PTI
In another video, PM Modi is seen sitting among construction workers by removing his chair. He then asks construction workers to raise their hands for a group photo.
PM Modi sits for a group photo with construction workers in Varanasi on Monday. PTI
Cruise ride with UP CM
On Monday evening, PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath boarded the Vivekananda cruise at Ravidas Ghat in Varanasi.
Both the leaders were seen greeting a crowd of supporters at the ghats of Varanasi.
PM Modi, UP CM Adityanath board a cruise in Varanasi on Monday. PTI
Ganga Aarti
Later the Prime Minister witnessed the enchanting ‘Ganga Aarti’ at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi.
Thousands of supporters gathered around the ghats to witness the spectacle.
As the Prime Minister witnessed the ‘Ganga Aarti’ along with UP CM Yogi Adityanath, the sky lit up with light shows and fireworks.