NEWS WAVE INDIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Monday ahead of inaugurating phase one of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham project constructed at a cost of around Rs. 339 crores.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi speaks in Bhojpuri on the occasion of the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi

(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/sRuZzzTGwU

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The Prime Minister, who is in his Lok Sabha constituency for two days, offered ‘Gangajal’, Chandan Ashes and milk to Lord Shiva at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Wearing the mustard-coloured outfit PM Modi also performed the ‘shringaar’ and Aarti of Lord Shiva.

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi pic.twitter.com/4pLpNubg2z

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 13, 2021

The Prime Minister arrived at the temple on Alaknanda Cruise, a double-decker boat and took a holy dip in the river Ganga. Later in the evening, he will also witness the Ganga Aarti while on-board a Ro-Ro vessel at around 6 p.m.

Prime Minister’s vision was also to ensure that all heritage structures be preserved during the course of the development of the project. This foresight came in handy when, during the process of destruction of the old properties. More than 40 ancient temples were rediscovered.

On his arrival in the city, the Prime Minister offered prayers at Kaal Bhairav temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a rousing welcome as soon as he reached Varanasi as they shower flower petals and chanted slogans of ‘Modi-Modi’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’.

During the two-day visit, Prime Minister will also participate in a conclave of chief ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand along with Deputy Chief Ministers from Bihar and Nagaland. The conclave will provide an opportunity to share governance-related best practices and is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of furthering team India’s spirit.