“Baba Vishwanath belongs to everyone, Maa Ganga belongs to everyone, and with the completion of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, everyone, including the divyangs, will be able to easily come to the temple.” - Narendra Modi

For me Kashi is astounding. The city is full of truth and reveals reality. The city is sacred, the city is pure. According to the prime minister, the whole new complex of Vishwanath Dham is not just a grand building, it is a symbol of the Sanatan culture of our India. It is a symbol of our spiritual soul, India’s antiquity, traditions, India’s energy, and dynamism. The Ganges and its ghats create an astonishing arena. The holy temples make this city divine and Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of them.

“Varanasi is older than history, older than traditions, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. - Mark Twain

Kashi Vishvanath Temple, one of the famous Hindu temples, located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Indore. The temple is found on the western bank of the holy river Ganga and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shivatemples. Vishvanatha or Vishveshvara (Ruler of the Universe) is the major deity.

The beauty of Varanasi lies in Mahadev(Lord Shiva), Maa Ganga (River Ganga),  and the moksha (Salvation).

Let’s explore the marvellous creation of the ghats of Varanasi. Ghats in the Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the river Ganges. While standing, near the banks of Maa Ganga on Manikarnika ghat, an immense satisfaction was accomplished in our souls. This ghat is the door of salvation. The people here believed when Maa Ganga came out from the hairs of Baba Bholenath, she kept on cleaning the crescent-shaped ghats. At that time, devotees were able to see Baba Bholenath from ghats only. As the year passed due to the construction of shops and houses the street became narrow, that is why the temple from Maa Ganga could not be seen.

After, more than 200 years, our honourable Prime Minister Mr. Modi decided to construct a corridor which he named it as Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. While inaugurating, in his speech he said, 

“When you come here, you will not see only faith. You will also feel the glory of your past here. You will see how pracheenta (ancient) and naventa (modern) come alive together. This whole new complex of Vishwanath Dham is not just a grand building. This is a symbol of the Sanatan culture of our India!”

Now it is possible that Maa Ganga will be seeing Baba Vishwanath. The contribution has been done to full the desire of all the devotees. The site is full of grandeur, facility, and faith entirely. The whole corridor is made up of Makrana marble, kota graphite, Mandana stone, and Chunaars red stone.

Starting from the steps on the left side there is a Ritual Wood Store in which there you will get wood etc for cremation and salvation. On the right side, there is a Heritage Library which consists of Vedas and Puranas and books related to spirituality. To protect these an authority will be given to any organization. Then there is a Ganga View Cafe. In this place, the amenities of visitors are considered. In this place, you will get some eatables along with tea, coffee, etc.

There are steps which will take to the main temple. Near these steps, there is an escalator. With it, children, women, the elderly, and the handicapped can reach on top. This escalator is a part of the Multipurpose Hall. In this, all the programmes happen like appreciation event, book release is held. It has two halls and can accommodate 500 to 1000 people. In front of the multipurpose hall, there is a Vedic Kendra. Here Acharyas conduct lessons in Vedas and Puranas. The road developed to the temple is 320m long and 10m wide.

After climbing the stairs you will reach Varanasi Gallery. From here you will get to know about the history of the temple, the culture of Kashi, and get to know about Baba Bholenath. To construct this corridor around 400 houses were demolished. In this small and big temples were discovered which were around 1000year old. Around 127 temples were protected in the corridor.

Now we will reach that place where the visitor's wellness has been taken into account that is Yatri Suvidha Kendra. It is provided with lockers where you can keep your handbag, mobile, or other valuables. Keys will remain with you. Outside this, there will be a shop of the florist. There is a Help Desk where you will get information about pujaris and pandit. For ‘aarti’ you need to take tokens from here only. In front of this, there are offices and shops.

The huge door is there, which is a Viewing Gallery. On one side you will see Kashi Vishwanath Temple and at back, you will find Maa Ganga. You will get the best vision from here. There is also a Project Museum which shows how a corridor has been constructed in these years.

Now we came to the place where the devotees can stay before and after ‘darshan’. This is called Mandir Chowk. People can rest here, they can enchant their holy prayer. After reaching this point on one side you will get the way to the temple and on the other side, there will be Maa Ganga. From this place you can go in any direction, you wish to. At this point, you can also go to the streets of Varanasi.

Now comes the Mandir Parisar. Four big dwaars are constructed which are in four different directions that is east, west, north, and south. Seventy shops are constructed where you can get flowers, and all the rituals necessary for prayers.

Refreshment areas have also been constructed in these shops. Around the Parisar a Pradikshnaa Path has been constructed so that you can circumambulate. This is embossed with 22 Shilalekh made up of marble which consists of the glory of Kashi.

When you will come near Kashi Vishwanath Temple you will find countries 12 Jyotirlinga, one is Kashi Vishwanath temple. As Kailash Mansarovar is the house of Bhagwan Shiva that Kashi is the capital. Shiv protects the whole universe. From here Shiva communicates with the creation.

You will be able to see five temples in a row. First is ‘Dandpani’, the second is ‘Baikunth’ dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the third is Kaashi Vishwanath Temple and fourth is Tukeshwar Ji Maharaj, and the fifth is Bhubhneshwar Ji Maharaj. The last two temples are dedicated to Maa Parvati, and his two sons Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya.

Earlier 20-25 thousand devotees can come for darshan but now 2 lakh devotees can assemble here.

While construction nothing from 'The Garba Graha’ has been changed to maintain its sanctity. The flag of the temple is 60 feet long. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project is done by Vishal Patel. It marks the divine feeling to the devotees.

The makeover of Varanasi will surely attract thousands of tourists from all over the world. To attain spiritual bliss, with the most serene vibes you need to visit Varanasi to imbibe the essence of Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The salvation lies here!

When you want to come Kashi make yourself more sensitive then come!

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