Ancient temples discovered during demolition in Varanasi

A temple from the Samudragupta era had been recovered near Manikarnika Ghat.

By
Neha Gokani
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Ancient temples discovered during demolition in Varanasi
Ancient temples discovered during demolition in Varanasi

The world famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi will soon be accessible to pilgrims directly from the mythological ghats of river Ganga.

The process of constructing a corridor by the Uttar Pradesh government between the river Ganga and Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is in full swing. The project has been sanctioned 600 crores by Yogi government. In the first phase, 175 out of 296 identified buildings have already been purchased and in the second phase, 130 more buildings were identified.

The work on the project will tentatively begin by Dec 12th, after receiving the consent from the State Cabinet.

A large number of structures of historical importance were recovered during demolition. Details of which have been included in the detailed project report (DPR) report for developing corridor area as a complex for Ancient Temple.

The DPR has been presented to Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath on November 23rd during his visit to Varanasi on Karthik Poornima to celebrate Dev Diwali. The work on the project will tentatively begin by Dec 12th, after receiving the consent from the State Cabinet.

While briefing about the project KVT chief executive officer and Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) secretary Vishal Singh said that “The 56 meters wide corridor will be over 300 meters in length. We have surveyed and mapped the localities between Neelkanth Gate-Manikarnika Ghat and Saraswati Phatak-Lalita Ghat[1].  We consulted scholars of Veda and Shastras and experts of the archaeology department, architects and reputed international companies to prepare a bird’s eye-view design of the project”.

The government had to tackle the problem of rehabilitating affected tenants and shopkeepers in the process of purchasing 296 buildings.

He further added, the demolition of purchased buildings has been scaled up and is being done manually as taking bulldozers inside the proposed corridor will be possible only after removing some buildings along the main road.

He also said that temple from the Samudragupta era had been recovered near Manikarnika Ghat. The temple was covered up by walls in order to construct the house with toilet on its top. He also mentioned that 43 more structures have been identified for preservation during demolition, the structures include ancient temples, library and buildings of architectural importance[2].

The government had to tackle the problem of rehabilitating affected tenants and shopkeepers in the process of purchasing 296 buildings for the preservation of ancient temples and other buildings of historical importance.

The project once completed will make it easy for the pilgrims to access Kashi Vishwanath temple from Ganga ghats. The pilgrims will have access to Kashi Vishwanath temple from Manikarnika, Jalasen and Lalita ghats. The Chhattdwar point will be opened for vehicles.

The idea behind the project is to provide a world-class facility for the pilgrims in and around the temple and give a boost to spiritual tourism.

References:

[1] Soon, access Kashi Vishwanath temple directly from ghats

[2] Demolitions in Varanasi reveal ancient temples

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

Neha Gokani
Neha Gokani
Neha Gokani
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6 COMMENTS

  4. If it becomes true / reality, all blessings to BJP & Modi team on this account…..Hope to see more like this happening in every state.

  5. Very heartening news. It is, however, submitted for the consideration of the UP Govt/CM that, even the structures built in the last 200-300 years also have a heritage value and it would be better if a very comprehensive record/video of those structures are kept and maintained before demolition. These can be published for those interested in the history of Varanasi, where very famous personalities lived.

    In this connection, I also submit that the ASI/GoI or the UP Govt (or the authority in charge of the proposed redevelopment of Varanasi) can consider the compilation and publication (in several volumes, if necessary), the memoirs of visitors to Varanasi in the past so as to present a picture of this cradle of Indian civilisation over millennia/centuries/decades. There are some very interesting details available in Bengali regarding the experience of the past visitors like Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa (in the world famous Gospels of Sri Ramakrishna by Sri M:Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita) and memoirs of old residents like the family of Uday Shankar-Ravi Shankar, etc. Many books/articles have been written about the memories of Satish Mukherjee of the Dawn Society (a teacher of Dr. Rajendra Prasad), Lahiry Mahashay (mentioned in An Autobiography of a Yogi), Ustad Bismillah Khan, etc., which can be compiled and published. I can assure the govt that the publications will get a ready market among true Indians.

    Can you bring these suggestions to the notice of the concerned authorities?

    • YOU HAVE ALREADY CONVEYED / BROUGHT YOUR POINTS TO THE NOTICE & KNOWLEDGE OF THE “concerned” AUTHORITIES ! [ and NOT AUTHORITIES concerned ? ], THROUGH Reader’s Comments coloumn of PGurus.com. For your cause, I am marking the same to the attention of UP CM Office for doing the needful. No Statues for any of the noble souls mentioned in your suggestions in Varanasi. Only a book that’s all. OK

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