Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 15 : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday raised questions over the proposed transformation of Varanasi's famous cremation ground, Manikarnika Ghat, calling it a 'tasteless beautification and commercialisation' attempt which is "destroying centuries-old religious, cultural, and spiritual heritage". He alleged that in the name of development, multiple temples, small and large shrines were being demolished.
"Millions of people come to Kashi every year in the final stage of their lives seeking moksha. Is your intention to betray these devotees?" Mallikarjun Kharge asked.
Kharge posted pictures and videos on X of idols allegedly already demolished, along with bulldozers in the area.
"In the name of tasteless beautification and commercialisation, you have run bulldozers at Manikarnika Ghat in Banaras, destroying centuries-old religious, cultural, and spiritual heritage. You want every piece of historical heritage to be erased and just your nameplate stuck on it," Kharge wrote on X.
Kharge said it is a "crime" to demolish such rare heritage, established in the Gupta period and renovated by Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar. He asked, whether the intention behind all this is to benefit "PM Modi's business friends."
The Congress President asked, "You have handed over water, forests, mountains--everything to them; now it's the turn of cultural heritage. The people of the country have two questions for you- couldn't restoration, cleanliness, and beautification have been done while preserving the heritage? 2. Why were axes taken to the hundreds-of-years-old idols that became victims of the bulldozer at Manikarnika Ghat, and why were they dumped in the rubble? Couldn't they have been preserved in a museum?"
The plan for renovation and redevelopment of Manikarnika Ghat was started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone in July 07, 2023. The total renovation cost of the project is expected to be around Rs 17.56 crore.
The administration Master plan is to streamline and widen the area from Manikarnika Ghat to Scindia Ghat. This includes Better facilities for pilgrims visiting the ghats, Easier access and seating arrangements for those coming for cremations, and strengthening connectivity to Scindia Ghat.
New Manikarnika Ghat will have seating arrangements for VIPs on the roof. In addition, special attention will be paid to providing ramps, viewing areas, seating arrangements, and other basic amenities. A wood plaza will also be constructed at Manikarnika Ghat, where mourners can purchase wood for cremations.
It is worth noting that the Manikarnika Ghat, the great cremation ground of Kashi, holds immense religious significance. According to religious beliefs, after death in Kashi, Lord Shiva himself whispers the Taraka Mantra into the ear of the deceased, granting them salvation.
This is the only cremation ground in the world where pyres burn 24 hours a day, giving it the name of the Mahashmashan (Great Cremation Ground), with people coming from all over the world to witness the sacred site.