It was a lifelong dream of PM Modi to contribute to helping kashi vishwanath temple regain the aura of the past.

New Delhi. Prime Minister narendra Modi has a long history and deep connection with the religious and spiritual city of Kashi. 

Long before becoming the PM and representing varanasi in Parliament, he had many opportunities to visit the holy abode of baba Vishwanath. 

Each visit to Kashi further strengthened narendra Modi's bond with the city. This strengthening bond further fueled the desire to contribute to the rise of the spiritual city and return the city to its lost splendour.

Who will forget those immortal lines... Maa ganga has called me

The fruits of their labour soon became visible with the development of infrastructure and the 360-degree transformation of Kashi. 

But, it was a lifelong dream of PM Modi to contribute to helping kashi vishwanath temple regain the aura of the past. With this, he started the journey of the development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

Restoring a lost tradition

It is an age-old tradition in Kashi that people take a bath in the ganges River, carry water from the holy river and offer Gangajal to the temple. 

This tradition is vanishing due to large scale construction and encroachment in the surrounding area over the centuries. The unimpeded construction also made it a difficult task for the devotees to reach and visit the temple. 

PM Modi had a desire to restore the long-standing tradition. To achieve this, PM Modi decided to embody the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor connecting the ganges River with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Pilgrim's Amenities

The PM's idea about the Vishwanath Corridor was focused on preserving the spiritual fervour of the pilgrims, who were obstructed by the clogged roads and dirty surroundings on their way to the temple from the ganga Ghat. 

The vision of the PM was to transform this corridor in such a way that it not only sustains the spiritual zeal of the pilgrims but also exceeds their expectations so that their mind is filled with joy. 

Launch of a litigation free project with everyone's efforts

When this project was being thought of, there was a general perception that due to such a dense population, all kinds of disagreements, this project will have to data-face a lot of controversy and cases which can become a hindrance in its completion. The biggest hurdle was the acquisition of properties. 

However, PM Modi directed the officials to ensure that everyone is taken along through continuous dialogue. The PM asked the officials to adopt a flexible and patient approach and give time to resolve all the grievances. 

Conversion

Site photographs and current photographs from the year 2017 are testimony to the challenges that have been overcome in completing this project. 

Only a visionary leader could see and do what no one else could see and do for so long. And it is the vision of the PM that helped to build this corridor and bring it into existence.

Design, development and monitoring

While the land acquisition was one aspect of the project, the other part of the project's journey was its design and development. PM Modi not only gave initial briefings to the architects but also gave frequent inputs and insights for architectural design, including review through 3D models of the project. 

His attention to detail is also reflected in his input on making the area disabled-friendly. 

Along with designing the project, PM Modi also played an active role in getting it completed. He also monitored the progress of the project through video conferencing during the COVID period. 

Finding a lost legacy

PM Modi's vision was also to ensure that the properties that clog the proposed corridor are being removed, as well as preserve the existing heritage structures. 

This rediscovery of lost heritage is in line with the vision of the prime minister and tireless efforts of cultural restoration by bringing back the lost heritage from foreign lands as well. 

New india - Modern as well as Spiritual

This visit of PM Modi for the development of the kasi Vishwanath Corridor reflects his unique vision of building a New india that stands confidently on the foundation laid through spiritual re-awakening, a nation with a modern outlook.