By Express News Service
Inaugurating phase I of his dream project of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi on Monday, PM Narendra Modi had a number of things lined up during the day.
Timeline of PM Modi’s visit to Varanasi:
11.00 am: PM Narednra Modi lands at Lala Bahadur Shastri airport. Leaves straight for Kaal Bhairav, also known as Kashi Kotwal, temple accompanied by UP CM Yogi Adityanath
11.30 am: While on way, PM welcomed by people with flower petals and slogans all through the streets. Stops his convoy to accept, head gear, shawl from crowd.
11.40 am: PM arrives at Khirkiya Ghat along with CM Yogi. Dedicate re-developed ghat to people
11.55 am: Takes a cruise ride in river Ganga to visits Lalita Ghat to fetch Gangajal for offering Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva on the newly constructed premises of Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor
12.00 pm: PM Modi takes a holy dip while chanting shlokas, fetches a ‘Kalash’ full of the holy waters of Ganga before entering the Kashi Vishwanath temple while CM Yogi and deputy CMs reach Mandir Chowk
12.30 pm: PM reaches Kashi Vishwanath temple premises by taking the ghat steps
12.50: Enters sanctum sanctorum of the temple, performs ‘Shivarchan’ marked by Jalabhishek by the waters of Ganga he had fetched in the Kalash.
13.00: Inaugurates Phase –I of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor by removing the curtains on the plaque
13.15: Showers the construction workers with flower petals, converses with them, poses with them
13.30: Addresses seers and gathering of other dignitaries at Mandir Chowk, the courtyard of the corridor
14.30: Joins the construction workers on lunch along with CM Yogi
14.45: PM and CM take cruise ride back from Lalita Ghat to Ravidas Ghat
15.00: PM offers obeisance at Sant Ravidas temple
17.30: PM and CMs of BJP-ruled states take a ‘Ro-Ro’ boat ride to Dashashwamedh Ghat to witness the Ganga Aarti. They enjoy the beauty of decorated ghats illuminated with 11 lakh diyas
The inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor comes just months ahead of the crucial assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath is aiming to retain its rule for a second consecutive time.
