Context: The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor was inaugurated today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi . This Edition of Big Picture will discuss the cultural and policy points associated with it .

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple

• The famous Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated in Vishwanath Gali of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. It stands on the western bank of River Ganga. 
• The temple is among the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva Temples. 
• Main deity of the temple is known by the names like Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara, which means Lord of the Universe.
• It will help boost tourism by providing the pilgrims and travellers with amenities such as wider and cleaner roads and lanes, better lighting with bright street lights, and clean drinking water.

Key Importance of that place

• Kashi, Varanasi or Benares is one of the oldest continuously existing cities (possibly even the oldest) in the world. In Kashi, every lane and every turn is part of history. 
• Every building that has been broken down, restored or left to ruin is part of history. People have come to the city in search of so many things; wealth, victory or moksha, and for centuries. Most have been forgotten completely. 
• The very lucky ones survive in local tales and oral histories. Even fewer make it to history that is written down. Only the most fortunate get to leave an actual mark upon the city, to build history upon history.

What is the essence of Hinduism? 

• Only the most enlightened could possibly have an answer to this question.
• But in the inherently democratic spirit of Hindu society, everyone can try. And it is always best to keep things simple. Hinduism is a bunch of traditions passed down from one generation to the next.

These traditions evolve constantly, because they are living. But they have two central features. First, they are

• bound to the Indian subcontinent. The geography of Bharat, its rivers and forests, the seasons and even the trees and crops that grow here play an essential role within these traditions. In that sense, the Hindu religion is not portable, unlike Christianity for instance.
• second thing is that these traditions are common threads that run through every social and linguistic group that makes up our overwhelmingly diverse nation. The concept of “abhishek”, for instance, would be translatable into every Indian language, yet impossible to explain in English.

Without these traditions, there are no Hindus and there is no India. The primary task, therefore, is to make sure

• that these traditions are passed on. For that, Hindus need a majestic spiritual capital (or capitals) that focuses attention on the power of the Indian civilization.
• It should attract the people to their ancient faith system and inspire them to stick to it. Otherwise, in the competitive market of religion, Hindus will lose out.

Every site in the city is a living god. Why disturb Kashi? Because getting people in the door is the most important. Only once you have enough people inside, you will find the small fraction that will transcend to higher levels of consciousness.
About Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project

• PM had laid the foundation stone for the project on March 8, 2019.
• The project is spread across 5 lakh square feet area, comprising of more than 40 ancient temples restored and beautified. Under the project, 23 new buildings were constructed for providing diverse facilities to the devotees.

Message on Environmental Protection

• The Kashi corridor also spread the message of environmental protection. the corridor has been adorned by Rudraksh, Parijat, Bael, Amla and Ashok trees. Special arrangements have been made to plant trees across the temple premises and mandir chowk.
• Construction of three passenger facilitation centres
• Under this project, different buildings have been constructed to organise various religious functions. Three passenger facilitation centres have also been set up in Vishwanath Dham. Project also provided for facilities like lockers, shops selling puja items and ticket counters.