Dev Deepawali In Kashi, Varanasi HIGHLIGHTS: PM Modi Attends Light And Show At Sarnath Depicting The Life Of Lord Buddha

PM Modi in UP, Dev Deepawali Celebrations LIVE Updates: The Prime Minister lit a diya (earthen lamp) on Varanasi's Raj Ghat, after which 16 lakh diyas were lighted across both sides of Ganga. PM also witnessed the grand Light and Sound Show

Background

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (November 30) afternoon arrived in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and dedicated to the nation the widened Handia-Rajatalab section of National Highway 19.He inaugurated the six-lane widening project of Handia (Prayagraj)-Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19 on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti and Dev Deepawali.The 73-km stretch of the newly-widened and six-laned NH-19, made with a total outlay of Rs 2,447 crores, is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by one hour, as per an official release.PM Modi, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries, will also be taken on a cruise which will halt at the Chetram Ghat from where the guests will witness a scintillating laser show."The Dev Deepawali celebrations will be telecast live and is expected to revive tourism in the Covid situation," said joint director (tourism) Avinash Mishra.The stairs of the Ghats have been decorated using flowers and red carpet, while artists were seen making beautiful rangolis and painting pots. As per officials, arrangements have been made up to light 11 lakh 'diyas' on the banks of the river.PM Modi on farm bills:After the inauguration of the Varanasi Prayagaj Highway project, while addressing the people of Varanasi, PM Modi said that the new agricultural reforms have given farmers new options and legal protection. His statement comes amid the ongoing protest of the farmer at the border of the national capital. "Farmers are being empowered by giving them options for a bigger market. Reforms are being done in the interest of farmers, which will give them more options. Shouldn't a farmer get the freedom to sell his produce directly to those who give them better prices and facilities," he said.Why is Dev Deepawali celebrated?It is a popular belief that Diwali of the deities is celebrated on Kartik Purnima day. To mark the occasion even deities descend from heaven in invisible forms on the ghats of the holy Ganges to ensure the salvation of the devotees involved in the Maha Aarti. The festival is a special part of the ancient culture of Kashi and even finds a mention in the sacred Hindu scripture Shiv Purana.According to the Shiv Purana, when demon Tripura Sur tortured the gods during the Kartik month, Lord Vishnu killed him on this day following which celebrations were held that came to be known as Dev Diwali.

30/11/2020 19:07:33

"Just as river Ganga flows in this city of Kashi magnificently, development will also continue here for years to come, I take this promise with me as I go back to Delhi," says PM Modi as he signs off with 'Har Har Mahadev' chant.

30/11/2020 18:59:04

"Today, we talk about reforms, but in society and order, Guru Nanak Dev himself was the biggest symbol of reforms. We have also seen that when there are changes in the society and the national interest, the voices of unintentional opposition definitely arise. But when the significance of those reforms comes to the fore, everything goes well. This is the lesson we get from the life of Guru Nanak Devji", says PM Modi.

30/11/2020 18:58:38

"Today, we talk about reforms, but in society and order, Guru Nanak Dev himself was the biggest symbol of reforms. We have also seen that when there are changes in the society and the national interest, the voices of unintentional opposition definitely arise. But when the significance of those reforms comes to the fore, everything goes well. This is the lesson we get from the life of Guru Nanak Devji", says PM Modi.

30/11/2020 18:57:04

"When development work started for Kashi, the protesters protested only for the sake of protest. When Kashi had decided that Vishwanath Corridor would be built till Baba's court, the protesters had said a lot about it too. But today the glory of Kashi is being revived by the grace of Baba. Centuries ago, the direct connection of Baba's court to Maa Ganga is being re-established," says PM Modi.

30/11/2020 18:54:13

On the occasion of Dev Deepawali, I pay my tributes to all those who have laid their lives for the nation. The nation is giving a befitting reply to the expansionist forces, those trying to infiltrate into India or be it those trying to break the country from within: PM Modi

30/11/2020 18:49:05

PM Modi continues his outreach to farmers, says new farm laws have given farmers freedom from middlemen. "People of Kashi are like Shiva and Devi. Today, these lamps are also lit for those who have surrendered their life for the country. I salute our security forces," says PM Modi.

30/11/2020 18:40:46

PM Modi continues his outreach to farmers, says new farm laws have given farmers freedom from middlemen. "People of Kashi are like Shiva and Devi. Today, these lamps are also lit for those who have surrendered their life for the country. I salute our security forces," says PM Modi.

30/11/2020 18:35:17

"Statue of Maa Annapurna's statue which was stolen from India over 100 years ago is coming back to India. This is a fortunate moment for Kashi. If this effort had been done earlier, many such statues would have been brought back to India. However, some people's thinking is different. For us, inheritance means heritage. For some inheritance means their own family," says PM Modi

30/11/2020 18:32:27

PM Modi greets Kashi on the occasion of Dev Deepawali with 'Har Har Mahadev'. PM Modi praises the history and culture of Kashi. PM Modi also congratulated the people of Varanasi on the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Tunnel. PM reiterated the good news given on 'Mann Ki Baat' about the return of the idol of 'Maa Annapurna' which was stolen long back from India.

30/11/2020 18:06:31

PM Modi greets Kashi on the occasion of Dev Deepawali with 'Har Har Mahadev'. PM Modi praises the history and culture of Kashi. PM Modi also congratulated the people of Varanasi on the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Tunnel. PM reiterated the good news given on 'Mann Ki Baat' about the return of the idol of 'Maa Annapurna' which was stolen long back from India.

30/11/2020 18:06:14

PM Modi lights the first diya of Dev Deepawali, 16 lakh diyas will be lit up at the banks of Ganga. After the grand cultural program, PM Modi will address the nation from Raj Ghat.

30/11/2020 17:48:53

PM Modi lights the first diya of Dev Deepawali, 16 lakh diyas will be lit up at the banks of Ganga. After the grand cultural program, PM Modi will address the nation from Raj Ghat.

30/11/2020 17:32:16

PM Modi gets back on a cruise for Raj Ghat. PM will light the first diya on the occasion of Dev Deepawali. 16 Lakh diyas to be lit on the banks of river Ganga. A mega light and sound show has also been organized for the celebrations

30/11/2020 17:08:38

"On the occasion of the inauguration of the Six Lane High-Way connecting Varanasi and Prayagraj, I welcome PM Modi to Baba Vishwanath's city Kashi on behalf of all citizens of Uttar Pradesh", tweeted CM Office of Uttar Pradesh.

30/11/2020 16:59:53

PM Modi leaves from Lalita Ghat for Vishwanath Temple. PM will perform Puja at the temple as a part of Dev Deepawali celebrations. PM will light the first diya at Raj Ghat.

30/11/2020 16:44:33

The Centre’s ambitious 'Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Vistarikaran-Saundarayakaran Yojana' (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Extension and Beautification Plan), or Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, is a Rs 600-crore project to decongest the area providing relief to devotees visiting Lord Shiva's shrine.

30/11/2020 16:24:41

PM Modi speaks on Agri Laws

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "We have brought in special funds worth crores for farmers so that we can set up infrastructure for them. This is helping them find new markets, even their income is on the rise. Farmers' income has increased due to improvement of infrastructure, special Kisan trains." Farmers have been on continued protests for five days, against the Centre's contentious agricultural laws, billed 'anti-farmer' by many.

30/11/2020 16:23:47

PM Modi inaugurated the six-lane widening project of Handia (Prayagraj)-Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19.

After the inauguration of the highway stretch, Prime Minister Modi addressed a public meet and said that Varanasi is getting improved infrastructure on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti and Dev Deepawali, which will benefit both Varanasi and Prayagraj.