The Golden Temple, also known as Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is devoted to Lord Shiva, the city’s patron deity. The first jyotirlinga, the burning pillar of light by which Shiva proclaimed his dominion over other gods, is said to have broken through the earth’s surface and blazed towards the sky at Varanasi.
Tourists must travel through Kashi Vishwanath Gali, which is known for its stores offering puja items and sweets. In its alley, there’s also a famous ladies area that travellers visit for cheap shopping. Dundiraj Vinayak, Annapoorna Temple, and Gyanwapi, all of which are often visited by pilgrims, are located near Vishwanath Mandir. Continue reading to learn more about the Kashi Corridor project UPSC topic.
Kashi Vishwanath Project UPSC
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, a 320-kilometre-long and 20-kilometre-wide paved walkway, will link two of Varanasi’s most notable features: the iconic temple and the Ganga river. The project’s formulation and implementation were given to the Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Board (KVSADB).
The corridor, which was planned by Bimal Patel, the same architect who is in control of the Central Vista redevelopment project in New Delhi, was rushed through from the time the homes were evacuated to the time the owners were compensated.
The tunnel will help to decongest the temple complex, which was formerly bordered on 3 sides by buildings.
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Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Wiki Facts
# The project will include a total of 24 buildings.
# The Ganga’s Manikarnika and Lalita Ghats will be immediately connected to the Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple via a 50-foot walkway.
# The pilgrims will be able to rest in waiting areas along the corridor.
# There will be a gallery and an auditorium dedicated to Varanasi’s ancient history and culture.
# For religious functions such as havan, worshippers will find separate Yagyashalas.
# Priests, volunteers, and pilgrims have their own accommodations.
# An information centre located along the corridor to provide tourists with information about the city and other tourist destinations.
# Tourists will be served delicious Banarasi and Awadhi cuisine on a food street.
# For meetings, gatherings, and temple events, there is an Auditorium.
# Tourists can enjoy a clear glimpse of the holy river from the Ganga viewing gallery.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple: A Boost to Religious Tourism
Because all of the infrastructures have been built to handle the large footfall of pilgrims, the growth of this corridor is expected to enhance the region’s entire economy.
For the uninitiated, the temple attracts over 7 million devotees and tourists each year, with over 10,000 local devotees offering daily prayers at the famed Mandir. Around 2.5-3 lakh tourists flock to the temple during the holy month of Shrawan, whereas the number swells to 4 lakh on Mahashivratri.
Delaying of The Project
The Kashi Vishwanath corridor was postponed because of the Ganga River’s rising water level. Furthermore, the project’s construction was suspended due to the deadly second wave of the COVID. Originally, it was supposed to be finished by August, but the date was pushed back to the end of November.
Complete New Kashi Corridor Map
You can see the complete Kashi Corridor map by clicking here.
5 Key Points on Kashi Corridor Project for the Upcoming UPSC Examination
#1. In Varanasi, the Vishwanath Temple Corridor project unites the historic Kashi Vishwanath temple with the Ganga ghats.
#2. 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.
#3. The first part of the project, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil shortly, cost 339 crores to construct. The first phase consists of 23 structures that cover a total area of around 5 lakh square feet.
#4. The project, whose foundation stone was laid in 2019, is expected to cost over 800 crores in total. To carry out the master plan, almost 300 properties have been purchased.
#5. During the construction of the project, more than 40 historic temples were found.
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Facts on Kashi Vishwanath Dham
# The Kashi Vishwanath temple was discovered in 1490, according to archives. Many renowned and not-so-famous kings have ruled over Kashi. Did you know that for a period of time, it was also controlled by Buddhists? Without a doubt, the city has seen its fair share of carnage and ruin. The Mughals destroyed the temples numerous times. The original temples were reconstructed, then demolished and rebuilt again.
# FYI, Mughal Emperor Akbar authorised the construction of the first temple, which was eventually destroyed by Aurangzeb, the 6th Mughal emperor who reigned over the whole Indian sub-continent for 49 years.
# The Queen of Indore, Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar, was the last to rebuild and restore the Vishwanath temple to its former splendour. She made an effort and donated the finances to repair the temple. Eventually, Aurangzeb, Akbar’s great-grandson, demolished the temple and replaced it with a mosque.
Some More Facts on Kashi Vishwanath Dham
# For Hindus, the temple is extremely important since it is one of Lord Shiva’s 12 Jyotirlingas. Lord Shiva is said to have spent some time here, according to legend.
# Three gold-domed domes adorn the Kashi Vishwanath Temple! According to common belief, any request made after witnessing the golden chatra is granted.
More Facts on Kashi Vishwanath Dham
# When information of Aurangzeb’s efforts to destroy the shrine reached him, it is reported that the statue of Shiva was concealed in a well to safeguard it from destruction. The “well of wisdom,” as it is known, still remains between the mosque and the temple.
# The sacred sanctuary is visited by more than 7 million worshippers each year, and the PM Narendra Modi-led government has renovated and adorned it with the Kashi Vishwanath Dham initiative. PM Modi officially launched Phase 1 of the project on Dec 13th.
The corridor in Varanasi, which is expected to cost around Rs 900 crore and span 5 lakh square feet, will unite Kashi Vishwanath Temple with Ganga, making it easier for pilgrims to enter the temple grounds.
Current Affairs Topics for UPSC 2022
# Recovery of Indian Economy
# New Agriculture Laws
# Net Zero Carbon Emission
# 5G technology
# Working of ICMR
# New National Education Policy
# Digital Education Report
# Stages of Vaccine Development
# ASEEM Platform
# Postal Ballot in India
# Indo-Nepal & Indo-China Border dispute
# Outbreak-Epidemic-Pandemic
# Recent NAM and SCO Summit
# Recent Dhaula-Vira Discoveries
# Drug testing regulation in India
# String of Pearl’s theory and India’s counter
# Cyclone Nisarga affected areas
# Fabric required for PPE kit
# Sir Creek dispute
# Uttarakhand Summer Capital
# Environment Summits 2019-2020
# Coronavirus Pandemic
# China – Wuhan
Conclusion
The significance of current affairs has steadily increased, especially in recent years, when the UPSC Prelims test has included as many as 30 current affairs questions in a single question paper. There are a variety of strategies to train your brain to memorise information faster and learn more effectively.
Candidates can also participate in current-events quizzes with their classmates and family members. It has also been demonstrated that teaching others what you have learnt is a very effective technique to memorise information. The process of converting information into your own language aids your brain’s comprehension. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
For the latest news and key points on current affairs, check out the blog section of UPSC Pathshala.
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