Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Darshan and Pooja at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir in Varanasi. The Indian prime minister is on a three-day tour of four Indian States. The visits are part of the PM's pan India outreach ahead of the upcoming general elections. The Indian Prime Minister was in the temple town of Varanasi where he was inside the sanctum sanctorum of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, where the Prime Minister offered prayers. Watch to know more!

PM Modi's pan-India outreach before elections, offers prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The Allahabad High Court on Friday set aside a lower court order and directed the authorities to conduct a 'scientific survey', including carbon dating of the ‘shivling’&nbsp;(a&nbsp;sacred Hindu symbol of Lord Shiva) that was discovered last year&nbsp;at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi during a videographic survey.&nbsp;

While the Hindu side claims the structure is a ‘shivling’, the Muslim side contends it is part of a fountain.&nbsp;

In October 2022, the Varanasi district court had rejected the demand for carbon dating the structure.&nbsp;However,&nbsp;Justice Arvind Kumar Mishra not only accepted the&nbsp;revision petition filed by Laxmi Devi and three others against the district court order but also directed the&nbsp;Varanasi district judge to proceed in accordance with the law on the application by Hindu worshippers.&nbsp;

"The district judge passed the order without any basis as it should have called for expert opinion from&nbsp;Archaeological Survey of India&nbsp;(ASI) on whether carbon dating of the shivling could be done without causing any harm. Therefore, the order should be quashed," argued Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain who appeared for the revisionists.

“The High Court has agreed to our prayer for a scientific probe of the shivling that was found inside the so-called mosque complex. The Muslim side says it is a fountain. We say it is a shivling. The court has ordered that without any damage to the shivling, analysis and study of it be done," added&nbsp;Advocate Hari Shankar Jain.&nbsp;

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<h2>Muslim side contemplating challenging the order</h2>

Meanwhile, Advocate Syed Farman Ahmad Naqvi, who represented the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC), said they will take a decision on whether to challenge the High Court&nbsp;order in the Supreme Court or not after holding a discussion with the&nbsp;mosque committee and other stakeholders.&nbsp;

“We will decide soon. The court has allowed the Hindu side’s petition and has ordered that a scientific investigation, including carbon dating, be done on the object found in the mosque premises," said Naqvi.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the city of Varanasi — often regarded as the oldest city on planet Earth.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gyanvapi-masjid-survey-over-what-we-know-so-far-479503">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Gyanvapi Masjid survey over: What we know so far</a>

It lies on the western bank of the holy river Ganges and is one of the twelve "Jyotirlingas". Chandragupta II, commonly known as Vikramaditya, is claimed to have constructed the Kashi Vishwanath Temple during the Gupta period.

The temple and its remnants upon which the mosque is built are visible to the naked eye. The likes of Qutb al-Din Aibak,&nbsp;Hussain Shah Sharqi, Sikandar Lodi and Aurangzeb are believed to be the ones who demolished the temple and built the mosque upon it.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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The Allahabad High Court on Friday set aside a lower court order and directed the authorities to conduct a 'scientific survey', including carbon dating of the ‘shivling’ (a sacred Hindu symbol of Lord Shiva) that was discovered last year at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi during a videographic survey.

The Allahabad High Court on Friday set aside a lower court order and directed the authorities to conduct a 'scientific survey', including carbon dating of the ‘shivling’ (a sacred Hindu symbol of Lord Shiva) that was discovered last year at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi during a videographic survey. While the Hindu side claims the structure is a ‘shivling’, the Muslim side contends it is part of a fountain. In October 2022, the Varanasi district court had rejected the demand for carbon dating the structure. However, Justice Arvind Kumar Mishra not only accepted the revision petition filed by Laxmi Devi and three others against the district court order but also directed the Varanasi district judge to proceed in accordance with the law on the application by Hindu worshippers. "The district judge passed the order without any basis as it should have called for expert opinion from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on whether carbon dating of the shivling could be done without causing any harm. Therefore, the order should be quashed," argued Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain who appeared for the revisionists. “The High Court has agreed to our prayer for a scientific probe of the shivling that was found inside the so-called mosque complex. The Muslim side says it is a fountain. We say it is a shivling. The court has ordered that without any damage to the shivling, analysis and study of it be done," added Advocate Hari Shankar Jain. WATCH | Joe Biden to host PM Narendra Modi for state visit × Muslim side contemplating challenging the order Meanwhile, Advocate Syed Farman Ahmad Naqvi, who represented the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC), said they will take a decision on whether to challenge the High Court order in the Supreme Court or not after holding a discussion with the mosque committee and other stakeholders. “We will decide soon. The court has allowed the Hindu side’s petition and has ordered that a scientific investigation, including carbon dating, be done on the object found in the mosque premises," said Naqvi. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the city of Varanasi — often regarded as the oldest city on planet Earth. ALSO READ | Gyanvapi Masjid survey over: What we know so far It lies on the western bank of the holy river Ganges and is one of the twelve "Jyotirlingas". Chandragupta II, commonly known as Vikramaditya, is claimed to have constructed the Kashi Vishwanath Temple during the Gupta period. The temple and its remnants upon which the mosque is built are visible to the naked eye. The likes of Qutb al-Din Aibak, Hussain Shah Sharqi, Sikandar Lodi and Aurangzeb are believed to be the ones who demolished the temple and built the mosque upon it. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Allahabad HC overturns district court order, directs carbon dating of ‘shivling’ at Gyanvapi mosque

On Friday (October 7), the Varanasi court deferred the order on the plea seeking&nbsp;carbon dating of the structure deemed to be a 'shivling,' a significant object of worship in the Hindu religion.&nbsp;The next hearing is expected to be held on October 11.

The scientific probe has been opposed by Rakhi Singh, one of the five plaintiffs in the case, saying this method might harm&nbsp;the&nbsp;structure.

Singh's representative, Jitendra Singh Bisen, said that this can be viewed as an "act of sacrilege." He further added that it was like casting doubt on the shivling's existence.

On the other hand, the mosque committee has also raised objections to the scientific investigation and argued that the object that the petitioners are referring to is actually a ‘fountain’ and not a ‘shivling’.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gyanvapi-mosque-case-verdict-indian-court-admits-hindu-womens-plea-seeking-right-to-worship-515355">Also read |&nbsp;Gyanvapi Mosque case verdict: Indian court admits&nbsp;Hindu petitioners' plea seeking right to worship</a>

Reportedly, this structure was found in a pond in the Gyanvapi mosque complex, which was being used as a "wazoo pond" for purification before Muslim prayers.&nbsp;On September 12, the Varanasi court had dismissed a plea challenging the maintainability of the case.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the district judge had also dismissed the committees’ challenge that the Hindu women who had been worshipping in the mosque complex had no legal backing. Notably, the challenge was dismissed on all three counts put forth.

Previously, the court had also ordered the filming of the centuries-old mosque based on the petition filed by the five women. This led to a major controversy as prior to the court date, the video of the mosque complex was allegedly leaked by the Hindu petitioners, claiming that there was a ‘shivling’ or relic of Lord Shiva.

The ongoing case is regarding the Gyanvapi mosque, which is located in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is also one of the several structures that a faction of Hindu hardliners assert is built on the ruins of Hindu temples.

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Friday (October 7), the Varanasi court deferred the order on the plea seeking carbon dating of the structure deemed to be a 'shivling,' a significant object of worship in the Hindu religion.

On Friday (October 7), the Varanasi court deferred the order on the plea seeking carbon dating of the structure deemed to be a 'shivling,' a significant object of worship in the Hindu religion. The next hearing is expected to be held on October 11. The scientific probe has been opposed by Rakhi Singh, one of the five plaintiffs in the case, saying this method might harm the structure. Singh's representative, Jitendra Singh Bisen, said that this can be viewed as an "act of sacrilege." He further added that it was like casting doubt on the shivling's existence. On the other hand, the mosque committee has also raised objections to the scientific investigation and argued that the object that the petitioners are referring to is actually a ‘fountain’ and not a ‘shivling’. Also read | Gyanvapi Mosque case verdict: Indian court admits Hindu petitioners' plea seeking right to worship Reportedly, this structure was found in a pond in the Gyanvapi mosque complex, which was being used as a "wazoo pond" for purification before Muslim prayers. On September 12, the Varanasi court had dismissed a plea challenging the maintainability of the case. Earlier this month, the district judge had also dismissed the committees’ challenge that the Hindu women who had been worshipping in the mosque complex had no legal backing. Notably, the challenge was dismissed on all three counts put forth. Previously, the court had also ordered the filming of the centuries-old mosque based on the petition filed by the five women. This led to a major controversy as prior to the court date, the video of the mosque complex was allegedly leaked by the Hindu petitioners, claiming that there was a ‘shivling’ or relic of Lord Shiva. The ongoing case is regarding the Gyanvapi mosque, which is located in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is also one of the several structures that a faction of Hindu hardliners assert is built on the ruins of Hindu temples. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Gyanvapi row: Indian court defers order on carbon dating of 'shivling' structure

An Indian court in northern Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi district pronounced its verdict on Monday admitting the plea of the five Hindu women seeking the right to worship inside the city's Gyanvapi mosque, located next to the famous Kashi Viswanath temple.

Delivering the verdict, a single bench of district Judge AK Vishvesh said that plea in the Gyanvapi-Shrinagar Gauri dispute case is maintainable.

The district order ruled that the suit filed by the Hindu Worshippers is not barred by The Places of Worship Act or the Waqf Act.

The Varanasi court will now further hear the suit of the Hindu worshippers.

“The court rejected the Muslim side's petition and said the suit is maintainable. The next hearing of the case is on Sep 22,” advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case, told reporters.

The plaintiffs, Hindu women worshippers, had sought a right to worship Goddess Shringar Gauri on the outer wall of the mosque complex located next to the Kashi temple.

The maintainability of that suit was challenged by the Anjuman Committee, which manages Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, arguing that their plea is barred by the Places of Worship Act, 1991.

The Hindu worshippers have claimed that the present mosque premises was once a Hindu temple and it was demolished by Mughal Ruler Aurangzeb upon which the present mosque structure was built.

The Anjuman Masjid committee, on the other hand, objected to their plea citing Order 7, Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) which questions the maintainability of the suit filed by the plaintiffs and the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

Order 7, Rule 1 of the CPC states that the court, even before hearing the case on merit, needs to first decide if there is a ‘cause of action’ and consider whether the reliefs sought in the plaint – meaning, the petition filed by the party who has approached the court – can be granted or not.

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An Indian court in northern Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi district pronounced its verdict on Monday admitting the plea of the five Hindu women seeking the right to worship inside the city's Gyanvapi mosque, located next to the famous Kashi Viswanath temple.

An Indian court in northern Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi district pronounced its verdict on Monday admitting the plea of the five Hindu women seeking the right to worship inside the city's Gyanvapi mosque, located next to the famous Kashi Viswanath temple. Delivering the verdict, a single bench of district Judge AK Vishvesh said that plea in the Gyanvapi-Shrinagar Gauri dispute case is maintainable. The district order ruled that the suit filed by the Hindu Worshippers is not barred by The Places of Worship Act or the Waqf Act. The Varanasi court will now further hear the suit of the Hindu worshippers. “The court rejected the Muslim side's petition and said the suit is maintainable. The next hearing of the case is on Sep 22,” advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case, told reporters. The plaintiffs, Hindu women worshippers, had sought a right to worship Goddess Shringar Gauri on the outer wall of the mosque complex located next to the Kashi temple. The maintainability of that suit was challenged by the Anjuman Committee, which manages Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, arguing that their plea is barred by the Places of Worship Act, 1991. The Hindu worshippers have claimed that the present mosque premises was once a Hindu temple and it was demolished by Mughal Ruler Aurangzeb upon which the present mosque structure was built. The Anjuman Masjid committee, on the other hand, objected to their plea citing Order 7, Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) which questions the maintainability of the suit filed by the plaintiffs and the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. Order 7, Rule 1 of the CPC states that the court, even before hearing the case on merit, needs to first decide if there is a ‘cause of action’ and consider whether the reliefs sought in the plaint – meaning, the petition filed by the party who has approached the court – can be granted or not. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Gyanvapi Mosque case verdict: Indian court admits Hindu petitioners' plea seeking right to worship

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is due to visit Varanasi next week. During his visit Deuba will pay a visit to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple and Nepali Temple which is also known as Shri Samrajeswar Pashupatinath Mahadev Mandir.

The Nepali Temple, dedicated to Hindu God Shiva is located on Lalita Ghat in Varanasi. The temple was envisaged by Nepali King Rana Bahadur Shah who was exiled from the city from 1800 to 1804. It was during his exile that he decided to build replica of Kathmandu's famous Pashupatinath temple in the city The construction of the temple was taken forward by his son King of Nepal, Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah.

The temple belongs to Nepal government and is one of the most famous temples of the holy city. Gopal PD Adhikari, general secretary of the committee that takes care of the Nepali temple told WION, "We will welcome (PM Deuba) with great enthusiasm and he will meet Nepali community. We are eager to welcome him".&nbsp;

The temple is also known as Kanthwala Mandir since its made of wood. Kanthwala means wood. It is built in Nepali architectural style and is also known as Mini Khajuraho.

Nepal PM will be visiting the Kashi Vishwanath using the newly inaugurated corridor. The corridor was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in December 2021.&nbsp;

In fact, PM Deuba is the first world leader to visit the corridor. The corridor connects the iconic temple to the ghats along river Ganga. Phase-1 of the corridor has been completed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores.

Nepal PM is on India visit from 1st to 3rd April. He will hold meetings with PM Modi in Delhi on 2nd April. This is his first bilateral visit outside of the country since assuming office in July 2021. He has been to Glasgow Climate Summit, which was a multilateral event. He had met PM Modi on the sidelines of the summit.

Sources said Nepal PM's visit will, "give an opportunity to both sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations including development and economic partnership, trade, cooperation in health sector, power, connectivity, people to people links and other issues of mutual interest."&nbsp;

PM Deuba has previously been to India in his capacity as PM in 2017.

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is due to visit Varanasi next week. During his visit Deuba will pay a visit to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple and Nepali Temple which is also known as Shri Samrajeswar Pashupatinath Mahadev Mandir.

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is due to visit Varanasi next week. During his visit Deuba will pay a visit to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple and Nepali Temple which is also known as Shri Samrajeswar Pashupatinath Mahadev Mandir. The Nepali Temple, dedicated to Hindu God Shiva is located on Lalita Ghat in Varanasi. The temple was envisaged by Nepali King Rana Bahadur Shah who was exiled from the city from 1800 to 1804. It was during his exile that he decided to build replica of Kathmandu's famous Pashupatinath temple in the city The construction of the temple was taken forward by his son King of Nepal, Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah. The temple belongs to Nepal government and is one of the most famous temples of the holy city. Gopal PD Adhikari, general secretary of the committee that takes care of the Nepali temple told WION, "We will welcome (PM Deuba) with great enthusiasm and he will meet Nepali community. We are eager to welcome him". The temple is also known as Kanthwala Mandir since its made of wood. Kanthwala means wood. It is built in Nepali architectural style and is also known as Mini Khajuraho. Nepal PM will be visiting the Kashi Vishwanath using the newly inaugurated corridor. The corridor was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in December 2021. In fact, PM Deuba is the first world leader to visit the corridor. The corridor connects the iconic temple to the ghats along river Ganga. Phase-1 of the corridor has been completed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores. Nepal PM is on India visit from 1st to 3rd April. He will hold meetings with PM Modi in Delhi on 2nd April. This is his first bilateral visit outside of the country since assuming office in July 2021. He has been to Glasgow Climate Summit, which was a multilateral event. He had met PM Modi on the sidelines of the summit. Sources said Nepal PM's visit will, "give an opportunity to both sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations including development and economic partnership, trade, cooperation in health sector, power, connectivity, people to people links and other issues of mutual interest." PM Deuba has previously been to India in his capacity as PM in 2017.

Nepal PM Deuba to visit Kashi Vishwanath, Nepali Temple while in Varanasi

The renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has chosen to execute a dress code for Lord Shiva devotees before they enter the sanctum.&nbsp;

The dress code for entering the temples was being followed on the orders of the Kashi Vidwat Parishad (the most perceived body of city's Sanskrit Scholars and Vedic specialists).&nbsp;

Those wearing jeans, shirts and pants might have the option to revere the divinity from a separation. They won't be permitted to enter the sanctum.

As indicated by the new guideline, male devotees should wear the 'dhoti-kurta' while ladies should wear a sari to enter the premises.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most adored Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva. The Temple remains on the western bank of the blessed waterway Ganga in Varanasi and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva Temples.

The renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has chosen to execute a dress code for Lord Shiva devotees before they enter the sanctum. The dress code for entering the temples was being followed on the orders of the Kashi Vidwat Parishad (the most perceived body of city's Sanskrit Scholars and Vedic specialists).

The renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has chosen to execute a dress code for Lord Shiva devotees before they enter the sanctum. The dress code for entering the temples was being followed on the orders of the Kashi Vidwat Parishad (the most perceived body of city's Sanskrit Scholars and Vedic specialists). Those wearing jeans, shirts and pants might have the option to revere the divinity from a separation. They won't be permitted to enter the sanctum. As indicated by the new guideline, male devotees should wear the 'dhoti-kurta' while ladies should wear a sari to enter the premises. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most adored Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva. The Temple remains on the western bank of the blessed waterway Ganga in Varanasi and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva Temples.

No more jeans, T-shirt in the sanctum, Kashi Vishwanath Temple enforces dress code for entry in shrine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited his parliamentary constituency and offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple on Monday, four days after he steered the BJP to power in New Delhi with a resounding victory of 303 seats in the Lok Sabha.

'Chemistry defeated arithmetic in 2019 LS polls': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday claimed that "non-cooperation" by the previous Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh was responsible for the delay in the start of a beautification project in his Lok Sabha constituency.

He was addressing a gathering here after laying the foundation stone for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple's approach road and its beautification.

"In the first three years there was non-cooperation of the state government. The developmental projects here took place after you (people of Uttar Pradesh) made Yogi Adityanath the chief minister," he said.

"Had there been cooperation earlier, we would have launched the project instead of laying the foundation," Modi said.

Attacking previous governments, the prime minister said, "In the past 70 years no government thought of Baba (Lord Shiva) and were silent. They took care of themselves but not of this place."

Noting that it was his "pleasure" to have initiated the work here at Kashi Vishwanath, he said, "I had dreamt for a long time to work for this place. When I was not in politics I came here several times and used to think that something should happen here."

"Lord Shiva must have decided that you talk much, so now you should come here and do something," he said, adding that due to blessings the fulfilment of his dream has started.

About the beautification project, Modi said this is "mukti (freedom) for Kashi Vishwanath Dham" which was surrounded with encroachment.

"For the first time, we acquired nearby buildings, removed encroachments after which 40 ancient temples came to the fore. Many of them encroached, kitchens were set up and people were living there," he said.

Appreciating those involved in the project, Modi said, "I have seen a lot of government employees as I was CM for a long time. But I want to say with pride that the team of officers deployed here by Yogi ji is doing work with 'Bhakti' (devotion) and 'sewa bhav'."

It was difficult to take people into confidence to give their properties and ensure the project does not take political colour, he said.

"I thank people of Kashi, who gave their properties for Baba. This is the biggest 'daan' they have given for Baba," the prime minister said.

Stating that the Kashi Vishwanath temple was "targeted by enemies", he said they tried to destroy it but it again took "rebirth due to the faith" of people.

"When Gandhiji came here, he was pained why is this place is like this. In his address in the BHU, he expressed his thoughts," Modi said, suggesting the university should make the entire project a case study for research so that when it is completed the world can know how it happened.

"We will also try to trace the history of 40 temples discovered here and the government will also take care of them," the PM said, adding the project will be a model for "protection and preservation" of temples and a combination of modern technology with ancient faith.

"It will give new identity to Kashi in the world. Maybe it's in my fate. In 2014, when I came here I said 'mai aaya nahi mujhe bulaya hai' (I did not come here on my own, I was summoned). Maybe I came here for this work," he said.

Earlier, the prime minister visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and also inspected the project site.

During his brief stay in his constituency, Modi will attend the National Women Livelihood Meet 2019 at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul and distribute appreciation letters to five

Women Self Help Groups, whose members will share their experiences with the prime minister.

Women SHGs aided by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - NRLM, Uttar Pradesh will hand over a cheque to the prime minister for contribution to the 'Bharat Ke Veer' Fund.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday claimed that "non-cooperation" by the previous Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh was responsible for the delay in the start of a beautification project in his Lok Sabha constituency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday claimed that "non-cooperation" by the previous Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh was responsible for the delay in the start of a beautification project in his Lok Sabha constituency. He was addressing a gathering here after laying the foundation stone for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple's approach road and its beautification. "In the first three years there was non-cooperation of the state government. The developmental projects here took place after you (people of Uttar Pradesh) made Yogi Adityanath the chief minister," he said. "Had there been cooperation earlier, we would have launched the project instead of laying the foundation," Modi said. Attacking previous governments, the prime minister said, "In the past 70 years no government thought of Baba (Lord Shiva) and were silent. They took care of themselves but not of this place." Noting that it was his "pleasure" to have initiated the work here at Kashi Vishwanath, he said, "I had dreamt for a long time to work for this place. When I was not in politics I came here several times and used to think that something should happen here." "Lord Shiva must have decided that you talk much, so now you should come here and do something," he said, adding that due to blessings the fulfilment of his dream has started. About the beautification project, Modi said this is "mukti (freedom) for Kashi Vishwanath Dham" which was surrounded with encroachment. "For the first time, we acquired nearby buildings, removed encroachments after which 40 ancient temples came to the fore. Many of them encroached, kitchens were set up and people were living there," he said. Appreciating those involved in the project, Modi said, "I have seen a lot of government employees as I was CM for a long time. But I want to say with pride that the team of officers deployed here by Yogi ji is doing work with 'Bhakti' (devotion) and 'sewa bhav'." It was difficult to take people into confidence to give their properties and ensure the project does not take political colour, he said. "I thank people of Kashi, who gave their properties for Baba. This is the biggest 'daan' they have given for Baba," the prime minister said. Stating that the Kashi Vishwanath temple was "targeted by enemies", he said they tried to destroy it but it again took "rebirth due to the faith" of people. "When Gandhiji came here, he was pained why is this place is like this. In his address in the BHU, he expressed his thoughts," Modi said, suggesting the university should make the entire project a case study for research so that when it is completed the world can know how it happened. "We will also try to trace the history of 40 temples discovered here and the government will also take care of them," the PM said, adding the project will be a model for "protection and preservation" of temples and a combination of modern technology with ancient faith. "It will give new identity to Kashi in the world. Maybe it's in my fate. In 2014, when I came here I said 'mai aaya nahi mujhe bulaya hai' (I did not come here on my own, I was summoned). Maybe I came here for this work," he said. Earlier, the prime minister visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and also inspected the project site. During his brief stay in his constituency, Modi will attend the National Women Livelihood Meet 2019 at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul and distribute appreciation letters to five Women Self Help Groups, whose members will share their experiences with the prime minister. Women SHGs aided by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - NRLM, Uttar Pradesh will hand over a cheque to the prime minister for contribution to the 'Bharat Ke Veer' Fund.

Non-cooperation by previous government delayed beautification project: PM Modi in Varanasi