Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation

PM’s address at Dev Deepawali Mahotsav in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

  • We the people of Kashi call the auspicious Kartik month, which is considered as a special month of gods, as Katiki Punwasi.
  • And since ages, there has been a tradition of taking a dip in the Ganges and offering charity on this day.
  • Since ages, the devotees come to take a dip in Panch Ganga Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sheetla Ghat or Assi Ghat.
  • The entire banks of the Ganges, Godowlia and Gyanvapi Dharamshala used to be teeming with people.
  • Pandit Ramkinkar Maharaj would recite Baba Vishwanath’s Ram Katha throughout the month of Kartik. People from different parts of the country would come to listen to his Katha.
  • Corona may have changed a lot, but nobody can change the energy, devotion and power of Kashi. Since morning, the people of Kashi are busy in bathing, devotion and charity.
  • Kashi is always vibrant. The streets of Kashi are always seeped in energy. The banks of Kashi are always divine and this is my eternal Kashi.
  • Friends, Kashi is celebrating the festival of lights in the proximity of Maa Ganga and I am fortunate to be part of this with the blessings of Mahadev.
  • Today, I got an opportunity to be present on the occasion of the inauguration of the six-lane highway in Kashi. In the evening, I am witnessing Dev Deepawali.
  • I also had the opportunity to go to Kashi Vishwanath Corridor before coming here and will also witness the laser show at Sarnath later in the evening.
  • I consider it the blessings of Mahadev and the special affection of all the people of Kashi. Friends, There is also a special occasion for Kashi.
  • Yesterday, you must have heard when I referred to it during my Mann Ki Baat programme and now Yogi ji has reiterated that with full force.
  • The idol of Mata Annapurna, which was stolen over 100 years ago from Kashi, is coming back to India. Mata Annapurna is once again returning to her home.
  • This is a fortunate moment for Kashi. These ancient idols of our gods and goddesses are symbols of our faith as well as our invaluable heritage.
  • If this effort had been done earlier, many such idols would have been brought back to India. However, some people’s thinking is different. For us, inheritance means heritage of the country.
  • For some, inheritance means their family and the name of their family. For us, inheritance means our culture, faith and values.
  • Inheritance for them is their statues and photographs of their families. Therefore, they concentrated only on saving their family’s legacy, while we focused on saving and preserving the legacy of the country.
  • Tell me the people of Kashi whether I am on the right path? Am I doing right? See, all this is happening because of your blessings.
  • Today, when the heritage of Kashi is returning, it appears as if Kashi is bedecked upon hearing the news of the arrival of Mata Annapurna.