Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

• 13 Dec 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated Phase 1 of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.

• 23 buildings – tourist facilitation centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, city museum, viewing gallery, food court among others — have been inaugurated as part of the project. 

Key Points

• About:
  
  • It is the massive makeover and the first after the 1780 AD when the Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore renovated the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the area surrounding it.
  • The foundation was laid in March, 2019. The project was conceptualised to create an easily accessible pathway for the pilgrims, who had to meander through congested streets to take a dip in the Ganga and offering the water of the holy river at the temple.
  • More than 40 ancient temples were rediscovered during the work on the project. They were restored while ensuring there is no change in the original structure.
• Significance:
  
  • It connects the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple and the ghats along the river Ganga.
    
    • Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
    • The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples.
  • It will help boost tourism by providing the pilgrims and travellers with amenities such as wider and cleaner roads and lanes, better lighting with bright street lights, and clean drinking water.

Source: IE