Kashi Witnessed Destruction By Aurangzeb, Also Saw Valour Of Shivaji: PM Modi In Varanasi

PM Modi mentioned that when the temple was attacked, Ahilyabai Holkar helped in its reconstruction.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called Kashi “imperishable” and “class-apart” as he addressed the nation at the inauguration ceremony of the Rs 339 crore Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.

Even though Kashi has witnessed destruction, it has also witnessed the valour of brave warriors, the Prime Minister emphasised, as reported by news agency ANI. 

Speaking in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, PM Modi said: “Kashi has always been class-apart. Even though it has witnessed destruction by someone like Aurangzeb, it also witnessed the valour of leaders like Shivaji and Ahilya Bai Holkar.” 

“'Kashi and Ganga belong to all. The invaders attacked this city, tried to destroy it. The history of Aurangzeb’s atrocities, his terror tried to change civilization by the sword. But the soil of this country is different from the rest of the world. If Aurangzeb comes here, Shivaji stands up. If any Salar Masood moves here, then brave warriors like King Suheldev make him realise the power of our unity,” he said, as quoted by IANS.

PM Modi mentioned that when the temple was attacked, Ahilyabai Holkar helped in its reconstruction.

“Kashi is imperishable. Only one government exists in Kashi, it is the government of those who have damru in their hands,” he added, as quoted by ANI. 

PM Modi also called Kashi a “centre of devotion” saying: “Kashi is the place where Goswami Tulsidas ji wrote Ramcharitmanas, with the inspiration of Lord Shiva. The realisation of Lord Buddha happened here. Sages like Kabirdas lived here. Kashi became the centre of devotion.” 

“From the integrity of King Harishchandra to the knowledge of Vallabhacharya, Ramanand ji. There are many sages and acharyas rooted in this holy land of Kashi,” he mentioned. 

Before the inauguration ceremony in his Lok Sabha constituency, the Prime Minister had greeted the labourers involved in the construction of the project with flowers.

Later, he along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had lunch with the workers involved in the construction work of Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and planted a Rudraksha tree at the premises of the temple.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, BJP president JP Nadda, Deputy Chief Ministers Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Maurya, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Mahendra Pandey and state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh were present at the inauguration ceremony.

(With Agency Inputs)