BSH NEWS
A devotee of Kashi Vishwanath, who is also an ardent fan of Narendra Modi, has donated 61 kg of gold- the equivalent of the bodyweight of the prime minister’s mother Hiraben- for plating of the sanctum sanctorum.
According to reports, the devotee hails from south India and has chosen to stay anonymous. Gold plates weighing 37 kg have already been put on the walls and the ceiling of the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The donation was made around one and a half months back and the first phase of the work was completed by Sunday when Prime Minister Modi reached Varanasi to address a rally and later offer prayers at the temple.
Sources said Modi was apprised of the gold plate donation and showed the work done after he had completed the rituals. The work was completed by ten workers in 30 hours.
Another 24 kg of gold plates will be used for the pillars and the remaining parts of the garbhagriha (the sanctum sanctorum where the Shivling is placed). This work will commence after Tuesday, the day Shivratri is being celebrated.
While the authorities have been silent on the details, BJP sources have said the devotee is a follower of Prime Minister Modi and has made this donation equivalent to the weight of his mother. Hiraben, 100, stays in Gandhinagar.
It is after 187 years that gold is being donated for layering of walls of the sanctum sanctorum of Kashi Vishwanath temple, according to reports. Earlier plans for gold plating were turned down by experts from IT-Varanasi who said the walls are not fit for taking the weight of the gold plates.
The Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor has been refurbished by the Yogi Adityanath government, creating more space and ensuring cleanliness of the area. This has made darshan easy for the devotees. More people can now visit the temple without any hassles.
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