PM to take part in world famous Dev Deepawali festival in Varanasi today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi today and take part in the world famous Dev Deepawali festival in the evening. During his day-long visit the Prime Minister will take part in many functions.

 

Mr Modi will dedicate to the nation the six-lane widening project of the Handia (Prayagraj) - Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19. The 73 Km stretch of the newly widened and six laned NH-19, made with a total outlay of 2447 crore rupees, is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by one hour. He will address a gathering also. During the tour, the Prime Minister will undertake a site visit of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor Project and also visit the Sarnath Archaeological Site.

 

This will be the first time that a Prime Minister is going to take part in the spectacular Dev Deepawali festival. This is also the Prime Minister's first visit to Kashi after the outbreak of Corona



pandemic and a gap of around 9 months. The PM will spend time on the water of holy Ganga river in a cruise and see the laser show. 

Dev Deepawali, which has become a world famous festival of light and fervour in Varanasi is celebrated on every Poornima of the Kartik month. The festival will be started by the Prime Minister by lighting a diya on the Raj Ghat of Varanasi, which will be followed by lighting of more than 15 lakh diyas on various ghats on both sides of River Ganges. Many cultural troops will perform on the ghats to welcome the  Prime Minister who will also address a small gathering there.

 

Prior to this the Prime Minister will undertake a site visit of the under construction Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor Project to review its progress. He will also see the Light and Sound show at the archaeological site of Sarnath, which had been inaugurated by him earlier this month.