Kashi Vishwanath temple to be beautified on lines of Tirupati

Varanasi, May 11 (UNI) The world famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple here will be developed on the lines of famous Tirupati Balaji Temple, as part of an ambitious beautification project.

Uttar Pradesh Minister for Religious Works Ashok Bajpai today laid the foundation of the third phase of the project, by performing the 'Bhoomi Poojan' at the Rani Bhawani-Tarkeshwar temple, adjacent to the famous temple, housing one of the 12 'jyotirlingas'.

Later interacting with mediapersons, the minister said that a sum of Rs 3.20 crore will be spent on the beutification project, the third phase of which involves constructing a first floor and an open terrace in the Rani Bhawani-Tarkeshwar temple housing an open space for religious discourses, free of cost medical facilities for the devotees and resting hall for the devouts.

The minister further said that the project was being financed out of the funds of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trsust, managing the affairs of the temple. The government will step in with necessary financial assistance if and when required.

''Financial cruch will never be allowed to delay the process of beautification,'' Mr Bajpai maintained.

The main Kashi Viswanath temple has been refurbished during the first two phases of the project.

UNI ARS VD DB1907