PM inaugurates Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi

Published By : Admin | December 13, 2021 | 13:19 IST
“ Vishwanath Dham is not just a grand building. This is a symbol of the Sanatan culture of India. It is a symbol of our spiritual soul. This is a symbol of India's antiquity, traditions, India's energy and dynamism.”
“Earlier the temple area was only 3000 square feet which has now been enlarged to about 5 lakh square feet. Now 50000 - 75000 devotees can visit the temple and temple premises”
“The dedication of Kashi Vishwanath Dham will give a decisive direction to India and will lead to a brighter future. This complex is a witness of our capability and our duty. With determination and concerted thought, nothing is impossible”
“For me God comes in the form of people, For me every person is a part of God. I ask three resolutions from the people for the country - cleanliness, creation and continuous efforts for self-reliant India”
“Long period of slavery broke our confidence in such a way that we lost faith in our own creation. Today, from this thousands-year-old Kashi, I call upon every countryman - create with full confidence, innovate, do it in an innovative way”
Felicitates and has lunch with the workers who worked on the construction Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi today. He prayed at the Kaal Bhairav Temple and Kashi Vishvanath Dham in Kashi. He also took a holy dip in river Ganga.

Starting his address with pranam at the feet of ‘Nagar Kotwal’ (Lord Kaal Bhairav), the Prime Minister said nothing special happens without his blessings . The Prime Minister sought the lord’s blessings for the countrymen. The Prime Minister cited Puranas which say that as soon as one enters Kashi, one becomes free from all bondage. “Blessings of Lord Vishweshwara, a supernatural energy awakens our inner soul as soon as we come here”. He added that this whole new complex of Vishwanath Dham is not just a grand building. This is a symbol of the Sanatan culture of our India. It is a symbol of our spiritual soul. This is a symbol of India's antiquity, traditions, India's energy and dynamism. The Prime Minister said ‘when one comes here, they will see not only faith but will also feel the glory of the past here. How antiquity and novelty come alive together. How the inspirations of the ancient are giving direction to the future, We are witnessing this very vividly in Vishwanath Dham complex’, he added.

The Prime Minister noted that earlier the temple area was only 3000 square feet which has now enlarged to about 5 lakh square feet. Now 50000 - 75000 devotees can visit the temple and temple premises. That is, first the darshan and bath in Maa Ganga, and from there directly to Vishwanath Dham, he informed.

Dwelling on the glory of Kashi, the Prime Minister said that Kashi is imperishable and is under the patronage of the Lord Shiva. He expressed his gratitude to every worker in the construction of this grand complex. They did not let even Corona stop the work here. He met and felicitated the workers. Shri Modi had his lunch with the workers who worked for the construction of the Dham. The Prime Minister also lauded the artisans, people associated with the construction, administration and those families who had their homes here. Along with all this, he also congratulated the UP government, Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, who toiled relentlessly to complete the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project.

The Prime Minister said the invaders attacked this city, tried to destroy it. The city is witness to the history of Aurangzeb's atrocities and his terror. Who tried to change civilization by the sword, Who tried to crush the culture with fanaticism. But the soil of this country is different from the rest of the world. If there is an Aurangzeb, said the Prime Minister, Shivaji is also there. If any Salar Masood comes, then brave warriors like King Suheldev make him taste the might of India’s unity. And even during the British era, the people of Kashi knew what happened to Hastings, said Shri Modi.

The Prime Minister went on describing the grace and importance of Kashi. He remarked that Kashi is not a matter of mere words, it is a creation of sensations. Kashi is that - where awakening is life; Kashi is that - where death is also a festival; Kashi is that - where truth is the culture; Kashi is where love is tradition. He added that Varanasi is the city from where Jagadguru Shankaracharya got inspiration from the purity of Shri Dome Raja and resolved to unite the country in the thread of unity. This is the place where Goswami Tulsidas created a celestial creation like Ramcharitmanas with inspiration from Lord Shankar. The Prime Minister continued and said that Lord Buddha’s enlightenment was revealed to the world in Sarnath, here. For the betterment of the society, sages like Kabirdas appeared here. If there was a need to unite the society, then this Kashi became the center of the power of devotion of Sant Raidas, the Prime Minister added .

The Prime Minister said Kashi is the land of four Jain Tirthankaras, the epitome of non-violence and austerity. From the integrity of King Harishchandra to the knowledge of Vallabhacharya, Ramanand ji. From Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Samarth Guru Ramdas to Swami Vivekananda, Madan Mohan Malaviya. The Holy land of Kashi has been home to sages, acharyas beyond count. The Prime Minister remarked that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj camehere. From Rani Lakshmi Bai to Chandrashekhar Azad, Kashi has been the karmbhoomi of many fighters. Talents like Bharatendu Harishchandra, Jaishankar Prasad, Munshi Premchand, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Bismillah Khan are from this great city, he said.

The Prime Minister said that dedication of Kashi Vishwanath Dham will give a decisive direction to India and will lead to a brighter future. This complex is a witness of our capability and our duty. With determination and concerted thought, nothing is impossible. The Prime Minister said “Indians have the power to make the unimaginable come true. We know tapasya, know penance and we know how to spend day and night for the country. No matter how big the challenge, we Indians can defeat it together”.

The Prime Minister said today's India is reviving its lost heritage. Here in Kashi, Mata Annapurna herself resides. He expressed happiness that the statue of Mother Annapurna, which was stolen from Kashi, has now been re-established in Kashi after a wait of a century.

The Prime Minister said for him, God comes in the form of people and for him every Indian is a part of God. He asked for three resolutions from the people for the country - cleanliness, creation and continuous efforts for self-reliant India.

The Prime Minister called cleanliness a way of life and called for people’s participation in this enterprise,especially in the Namami Gange Mission. The Prime Minister said the long period of slavery broke our confidence in such a way that we lost faith in our own creation. Today, from this thousand-year-old Kashi, I call upon every countryman - create with full confidence, innovate, do it in an innovative way.

The Prime Minister said that the third resolution that needs to be taken today is to raise our efforts for self-reliant India. In this ‘Amrit Kaal’, in the 75th year of independence, we will have to work for what India will be like when India celebrates a hundred years of independence, The Prime Minister Concluded .

 

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अयोध्येत श्री राम जन्मभूमी मंदिर ध्वजारोहण उत्सवात पंतप्रधानांनी केलेले भाषण

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अयोध्येत श्री राम जन्मभूमी मंदिर ध्वजारोहण उत्सवात पंतप्रधानांनी केलेले भाषण
PM Modi Leads International Yoga Day Event In Kolkata, Says It Has Become 'World's Biggest Festival'

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PM Modi Leads International Yoga Day Event In Kolkata, Says It Has Become 'World's Biggest Festival'
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Yoga connects us all and brings us together: PM Modi in Kolkata on International Yoga Day
June 21, 2026
Yoga connects us all and brings us together: PM
When yoga becomes a way of life, it becomes the foundation of human unity: PM
Yoga helps us tune our bodies to be flexible; It keeps our energy levels high: PM
Yoga teaches us the art of living a balanced life: PM
Yoga shows the path from mental well-being to physical well-being: PM

Honourable Governor Shri R. N. Ravi Ji, the energetic Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari Ji, my colleague in the Union Government Shri Prataprao Jadhav Ji, all other distinguished dignitaries present on the dais, all the participants gathered here in Kolkata, everyone joining this Yoga celebration from across India and around the world, and my dear fellow countrymen, My greetings to all of you. 

June 21st is the day when, in some parts of the Earth, the longest duration of daylight occurs. And because of International Yoga Day, June 21st has also become the day of the world’s largest collective celebration. From different corners of the globe, extraordinary images of yoga are arriving. In India, from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, from the Northeast and Bengal in the east to Saurashtra in the west, the entire nation appears filled with the energy and consciousness of yoga. The whole country, the whole world, looks connected - and that is the true power of yoga. Yoga unites everyone, yoga brings everyone together. On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the entire world, to all of humanity, on International Yoga Day.

Friends,

Today, on Yoga Day, I would like to commend the people of Kolkata for the Yoga of Cleanliness that has been created here, especially in Bengal. This is a wonderful initiative – the consistent efforts and civic duty that have been undertaken here for the Swachhata Se Swagat initiative have become a great inspiration for all our countrymen.

Friends,

Being in Bengal on the occasion of Yoga Day is truly special. This sacred land of Bengal, where saints like Bhagwan Ramakrishna Paramhansa were born, where Swami Vivekananda introduced yoga to the entire world, where great yogis like Maharshi Aurobindo were born, where Lahiri Mahasaya elevated the yoga tradition to new heights - experiencing collective yoga on this soil gives a unique spiritual feeling. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, born on this land, believed that the identity of man lies not in remaining separate, but in connecting with the world around him. This connection is the essence of yoga. Maharshi Aurobindo also said - our entire life is yoga, whether we are aware of it or not. When yoga becomes part of our nature, it becomes the foundation of human unity.

Friends,

Yoga is not merely a means of physical exercise. Yoga is not limited to any one age group. In India, we know and have seen that yoga is a light in human life, a union with consciousness and energy. That is why this year’s theme for International Yoga Day has been chosen as Yoga for Healthy Ageing. Even as age advances, we can remain healthy, energetic, and active - yoga shows us the way for this. 

Friends,

When we speak of "Yoga for Healthy Aging," It means that we can work to ensure that age does not reduce human potential. Yoga can help human life to aspire for constant growth. Our target must be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20. Our target must be to be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30. Our target must be to be more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. This is where Yoga can help us. It helps us tune our bodies to be flexible. It keeps our energy levels high, it also helps us maintain a calm stress-free life and helps keep lifestyle diseases away. Moreover, with regular practice, Yoga teaches us to remain lifelong learners of our own bodies and minds. The more we know about ourselves, the better we can manage ourselves. That is why, Yoga for Healthy Aging. This theme must be seen as one for people of all ages, not just for the elderly.

Friends,

In the Gita, Lord Krishna spoke about yoga: “Yukta ahara viharasya, yukta cheshtasya karmasu, Yukta swapnavabodhasya, yogo bhavati dukhaha.” This means through balanced food and recreation, balanced actions and duties, balanced sleep and wakefulness, yoga becomes the destroyer of sorrow. Balance is the foundation of yoga. Balance is also the foundation of our lives. Yet, in modern times, most people struggle with imbalance in life. Yoga teaches us the art of living in a balanced way. Yoga shows us the do’s and don’ts. And when we learn to guide our body properly, health becomes our natural state.

Friends,

Yoga does not only focus on our physical health. Yoga shows the path from mental health to physical health. That is why it is said in yoga - “Yukta cheshtasya karmasu” - meaning, awareness of what we should do and what we should not do. This awareness becomes a source of peace in our lives, and it also opens the path to world peace. That is why yoga today is not only essential for our personal lifestyle, but it is also a necessity for a better future of the world.

Friends,

On International Yoga Day, millions of people connect with yoga. But today gives us the opportunity to renew our shared resolve. Let us pledge that yoga will not be limited to just one day, yoga will not be confined to just one program. We will make yoga a part of our lives, a part of our families, and a part of future generations.

Friends,

In this direction, the initiative “Yoga 365” has also been advanced this year. Under this, a 100-day online yoga program was organized, which saw unprecedented public participation. More than 3 million people from 130 countries took part in it.

Friends,

When society is healthy, the nation becomes more capable, more prosperous, and more confident. I wish for all of you: “Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramayah.” With this, I once again extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on International Yoga Day.

Thank you very much!