Varanasi, May 4 – Swami Sivananda, the celebrated yoga guru and recipient of the Padma Shri, passed away at the age of 128 in Varanasi. As per agency report, the revered spiritual leader had been admitted to Banaras Hindu University Hospital on April 30 due to health complications and breathed his last on Saturday night.

Born on August 8, 1896, in the Sylhet district of present-day Bangladesh, Swami Sivananda overcame immense hardships from a young age. He lost both parents to starvation when he was only six years old and was later raised by Omkarnand, under whose guidance he pursued education and spiritual knowledge.

Swami Sivananda gained nationwide recognition for his disciplined and austere lifestyle. His followers noted that he attributed his longevity to a simple, self-reliant routine. He would rise at 3 AM every day to practice yoga, perform all his chores himself, consume only boiled food, and sleep on a mat. In 2022, he was honored with the Padma Shri for his lifelong dedication to yoga and social service.

The mortal remains of Swami Sivananda have been kept at his residence in Kabirnagar Colony for public homage, and his funeral is scheduled for Sunday evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss, calling Swami Sivananda’s demise an irreparable loss for the people of Kashi and countless admirers across the country. In a social media post, he praised the guru’s unwavering commitment to yoga and spiritual discipline, noting that his life would continue to inspire generations.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute, describing the passing as deeply saddening. He highlighted Swami Sivananda’s unparalleled contributions to the field of yoga and commended the guru’s lifelong dedication to spreading yogic wisdom. The Chief Minister prayed for the departed soul and offered strength to the grieving followers.

Swami Sivananda's extraordinary life, rooted in self-discipline and devotion, stands as a profound example of the power of simplicity, spiritual commitment, and service to humanity.

Varanasi, April 11, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Varanasi on a one-day visit Friday morning and was briefed by senior officials about a recent gang rape incident that has shaken his parliamentary constituency. He directed authorities to take the strictest possible action against those involved and to implement preventive measures to ensure such incidents do not recur.

As per agency report, the Prime Minister was received at the airport by the Police Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, and District Magistrate, who provided him with detailed information regarding the assault case that has drawn widespread public outrage. The case involves a 19-year-old woman who was allegedly gang-raped by 23 men over a span of six days.

According to police reports, the perpetrators are accused of drugging the victim and taking her to various hotels across the city, where the assaults took place. A senior police official confirmed on Wednesday that nine individuals had been arrested in connection with the case so far. Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining suspects.

Additional Police Commissioner (Cantonment) Vidush Saxena stated that police teams are actively searching for the other accused and expect further arrests soon. He also confirmed that the victim is currently in stable condition and under care, with her family being kept informed throughout the investigation.

Family members of the victim have chosen not to speak with the media. When approached, the victim's mother declined to comment, urging reporters to seek updates directly from police officials.

Authorities revealed that the woman had gone out with a group of men on March 29. When she failed to return home by April 4, her family filed a missing person’s complaint, which led to the uncovering of the horrifying details.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, and with the Prime Minister personally intervening, the focus has now shifted to swift justice and a reevaluation of local safety protocols.

Varanasi : The Mahakumbh period witnessed an unprecedented rise in virtual reality-based worship at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, with devotees embracing new technology for divine experiences. Alongside the physical presence of nearly three crore pilgrims at the temple, a record number of worshippers participated through virtual reality, marking a significant moment in digital devotion.

As per agency report, the Durlabh Darshan Kendra and Divya Darshan Kendra released data highlighting the growing popularity of virtual reality-enabled worship. In January and February, including the Mahakumbh period, a total of 50,993 devotees experienced the sacred presence of Baba Vishwanath through virtual reality at the Durlabh Darshan Kendra, while 10,566 devotees used the Divya Darshan Kendra for the same. The numbers reflect the increasing acceptance of modern technology in religious practices, allowing devotees to connect spiritually from distant locations.

The Mahashivaratri festival saw elaborate rituals at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, with a three-day Rudrabhishek performed at multiple shrines from February 20 to 22. The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust officials conducted ceremonies for various revered deities, including Chandragupteshwar Mahadev, Manokameshwar Mahadev, Avimukteshwar Mahadev, Tarkeshwar Mahadev, Navgrah Mandap, Baikuntheshwar Mahadev, and Dandpaanishwar Mahadev on February 20. The following day, worship was conducted for Amriteshwar Mahadev, Neelkantheshwar Mahadev, Balmukundeshwar Mahadev, Mandhateshwar Mahadev, and Gangeshwar Mahadev, while on February 22, rituals were held at Trisandheshwar Mahadev and Kubershwar Mahadev temples. The festival also included Rudrabhishek at the principal shrine of Avimukteshwar Mahadev, also known as Guru Baba, along with other main deities.

The temple premises were adorned with floral decorations, enhancing the spiritual experience for devotees. A total of 14,000 garlands were used to decorate the temple during Vasant Panchami, Shri Ram Pran Pratistha Utsav, and Mahashivaratri celebrations in January and February. A special welcome was arranged for Naga Sadhus arriving at the temple’s main entrance, where 11 quintals of rose petals were used in their honor.

Throughout the Mahakumbh festivities, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust actively engaged devotees through digital platforms, sharing regular updates, religious insights, and management-related information via social media. Over 482 posts were made in two months, including 228 video updates, with 34 videos featuring devotees’ feedback on temple management and arrangements. The temple’s official Facebook page recorded 482 posts, Instagram 480, and X (formerly Twitter) 474, making the spiritual experience widely accessible to devotees around the world.

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India] August 22: Sarvesh Goel, Chairman of Mansingh Goel and Promoter of The Centrum Hotel, announced today the launch of a new upcoming hotel, “Eka by The Centrum,” in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This new venture is in collaboration with Ambiance Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. and marks a significant step in the growth of the hospitality sector in the state. “Eka by The Centrum” will be an exquisite addition to Varanasi, continuing the success of The Centrum brand, which made its mark with a luxurious five-star hotel in Lucknow.

This initial success was one of the highlights of the UP Investor Summit and demonstrated the state’s ability to attract high-end investments. The upcoming hotel in Varanasi aims to offer a premium experience to both tourists and pilgrims visiting this historic city. Varanasi, known as the spiritual capital of India, is an important part of the Buddha Circuit and attracts millions of visitors each year, including international pilgrims. The Buddha Circuit, which includes important Buddhist pilgrimage sites such as Sarnath in Varanasi and Kushinagar, along with Ayodhya, another major religious destination in Uttar Pradesh, is expected to benefit greatly from this new hotel.

The Eka by The Centrum will cater to the growing number of visitors to these spiritual destinations, offering world-class hospitality services.Varanasi also holds special significance as it is the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The launch of this upcoming new hotel will not only support the local economy but also align with the Prime Minister’s efforts to enhance Varanasi’s global image as a major tourist and spiritual hub in India. Additionally, this initiative complements the efforts of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been actively promoting tourism as a key component of the state’s economic growth strategy. This new hotel will contribute to these goals by offering top-notch hospitality services and boosting the city’s appeal to global tourists. The exact location of the new hotel has not yet been revealed, but it is expected to be near the stunning Ghats of the Ganges. This picturesque and iconic area is one of Varanasi’s most cherished landmarks.

Being situated in this beautiful location, “Eka by The Centrum” will attract not only tourists and pilgrims but also filmmakers and producers from Mumbai, Patna, Delhi, and South India. These creatives often choose Varanasi for its unique and authentic backdrop, and the hotel is poised to become a preferred destination for them. Varanasi’s timeless charm and spiritual atmosphere have always captivated the film industry.

The new hotel will likely become a central hub for those looking to capture the essence of this remarkable city on film. Sarvesh Goel, who also owns a film production company named AND Productions, is excited about the opportunities this new hotel will offer to the film industry, blending his expertise in hospitality with his passion for filmmaking. The introduction of “Eka by The Centrum” is set to provide a significant boost to Uttar Pradesh’s hospitality sector. It will attract more tourists, enhance the city’s infrastructure, and create new job opportunities, contributing to the region’s overall development. This new venture is a testament to Uttar Pradesh’s growing appeal as a prime destination for high-end hospitality investments. “Eka by The Centrum” will set new standards for luxury accommodation in Varanasi, ensuring that it remains a top choice for travellers and filmmakers alike.

We look forward to sharing more details about this exciting project as we move closer to the opening date.

Varanasi, 11 July (HS): Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, his mother SP MP Jaya Bachchan and sister Shweta Nanda attended the court of Shri Kashi Vishwanath on Thursday evening.

Under the supervision of astrologer Dr. Chandramouli Upadhyay, a member of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, the Bachchan family performed the
formal darshan and worship of Baba amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras.

After the darshan and worship, the Chief Executive Officer of the temple presented Prasad and Angavastram to the Bachchan family. On coming out of the temple, young fans saw the Bachchan family and chanted 'Har Har Mahadev'. The Bachchan family also greeted him with folded hands.

Before this, Abhishek, Jaya and Shweta reached the hotel from Varanasi airport amid tight security. After some rest in the hotel, they went out for darshan and worship of Baba Vishwanath. After worshiping Baba Vishwanath, they also attended Shri Sankat Mochan Temple.

Varanasi, 12 June (HS): Bollywood actor Rajkumar Rao along with his wife Patralekha visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath on Wednesday. The actor, who had come to Kashi to see the location for his film, performed the ritual darshan and worship under the supervision of the priests in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The archakas of the temple presented him Angavastra and a garland offered to Baba as flower prasad.

The priests also tied Kalava on the Rajkumar's hand while chanting Vedic mantras. After the puja, actor Rao told the media persons that after coming to Kashi, the mind gets a lot of peace. ?Last time we came to Kashi for the promotion of our film, we saw the Aarti of Mother Ganga. Today we have darshan of Baba with my wife,? he added. Seeing the actor in Mandir Chowk, young fans raised slogans of Har Har Mahadev.

Seeing this, the actor also greeted people with folded hands and also clicked selfies with them. The actor toured the entire temple complex with his wife. During this, both of them looked overwhelmed by the grandeur of the temple.

Varanasi, 26 May (HS): Senior BJP leader and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that talking about developed India, if the country is progressing then the responsibility of teachers increases in it. Teachers educate the coming generation. Jaishankar, who came to Varanasi on a two-day visit, was addressing a program on Empowerment with Education: Teaching for a Better Tomorrow on Sunday. In a program organized at Sunbeam Varuna on the initiative of Purvanchal School of Welfare Association, Jaishankar mentioned the role of teachers in the country. He said that today due to Modi government, the prestige of India has increased significantly in foreign countries. It is a matter of pride. India's foreign policy is also in the news.

After the program, the Foreign Minister wrote on his social media that it was a pleasure to interact with the teachers and students of Varanasi on the topic of empowerment along with education for a better tomorrow. Believe strongly in education for the age of technology and globalization. He outlined several steps taken over the past decade to make the most of the technological age and global workplace. ?At the same time, we are also paying attention to our traditions and civilizational heritage,? he stated. During the program, Jaishankar told reporters that Narendra Modi is going to become Prime Minister for the third time. ?Under the leadership of BJP, NDA has crossed the absolute majority mark. We are going to cross 400 seats milestone. The Foreign Minister said that everyone will get to see Modi-3 on June 4.

The entire country has decided this. The Foreign Minister said that people have faith in Modi's guarantee. ?Once again Banaras will elect the leader who leads the country on the path to victory. The contribution and leadership of Banaras will be visible in the entire country. The public knows that India's prestige has increased at the international level in the last 10 years, which has been possible only because of the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,? he concluded.

Varanasi, 25 May (HS): On Saturday, the Gujarati community performed a yagya and ritual to wish for the victory of the BJP candidate Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Varanasi parliamentary seat in the Lok Sabha elections. More than four hundred parliamentary supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi gathered in the courtyard of the Gurjar Chhatra Sahayak Samiti located at Bulanala Karanghanta. The ritual took place to win the seat and form the BJP coalition government at the Center for the third consecutive time.

Along with this, the 11-day ritual of reciting the Vijay Mantra described in the Vedas was also completed. The completion of the ritual was performed by Jajman Yajneesh Rawal, 51 Batuk, men/women of Gujarati community in the presence of Dr. Vishal Kumar Pandey. Anil Shastri (Guru Ji), Alok Parikh, Sandeep Pandya, Vivek Parikh, Kamlesh Patel, Sunita Gujarati, Rashmi Sonawala, Vibha Gujarati, Hira Ben, Ashwani Parikh, Manju Vyas, Pooja, Yash Nagar etc from Gujarati community were instrumental in completing the 11-day event.

Varanasi, 14 May (HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his candidacy for the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday after offering prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kaal Bhairav temple.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among those present at the collectorate when Modi filed his paperwork. He is aiming for a hat-trick in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, which he first won in 2014.

Modi wrote in Hindi on X, "My relationship with my Kashi is amazing, inseparable and incomparable... all I can say is that it cannot be expressed in words!" The prime minister performed a glittering roadshow in Varanasi a day ago and promised to do much more to aid the holy city during his third term.

A day later, he released a video of his Monday roadshow on 'X' and said, "The love and blessings that my Kashi family members showered on me during the road show has become an unforgettable moment in my life." Varanasi voters will cast their ballots in the seventh phase on June 1.

Varanasi : Excitement abounds in Bhandaha Kala village, Chaubepur, as remains of miniature deity statues and temple architecture dating back to the 9th-10th century have been discovered around a large reservoir. Villagers, spurred by the report of Regional Archaeological Officer Dr. Subhash Chandra Yadav and his team, are now eagerly pursuing archaeological investigations.

According to Vallabhacharya Pandey, a local social worker, the report confirms the age of the deity idols found in the reservoir and nearby Mukhi Shivling to be from the 9th-10th century and 7-8th century respectively. The villagers revere the Shivling as Tripurari Mahadev. Despite the reservoir's selection for beautification under the Sundarik in Amrit Sarovar Scheme, encroachments have hindered progress. A pillar in the pond, standing at 9 feet tall with a 4-foot diameter, bears inscriptions dating it to the 19th century.

The discovery of fragmented idol fragments suggests the existence of a grand temple at the site. Pawan Pandey, a local resident and advocate at Allahabad High Court, has been tirelessly working for years to preserve these ancient relics and enhance the reservoir's beauty, including building a grand temple for the one-faced Shivalinga. With the Archaeology Department's report, the government is expected to take action, bringing the long-awaited fruition of these efforts closer.

Lucknow, Feb 15 (IANS) The sustained efforts of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh over the past seven years are paying off and religious tourism now accounts for a major share ion the tourism sector.

Over 46 per cent of the total 819 projects set for launch during the fourth groundbreaking ceremony (GBC-4.0) in the tourism sector are located in centres of religious tourism, namely Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura and Prayagraj, according to the official spokesman.

The tourism department's target for the event was Rs 37,500 crore. Against this, 819 projects worth Rs 33,134.47 crore are set to take off, which is an achievement of 88 per cent against the goal.

Of the total, projects worth Rs 15,434.18 crore are located in these four cities-- Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura and Prayagraj.

The projects include hotels, resorts, spas, retreats, theme parks and so on.

According to the spokesman, Varanasi leads the list with projects with 34 entries bringing in an investment of Rs 6,730 crore.

It is followed by Ayodhya which has been able to pull in 114 projects worth Rs 4,318 crore.

Mathura ranks number three with 74 projects to the tune of Rs 3,278 crore.

Prayagraj, which ranks number seven in the regular list, has been able to attract investment of Rs 1,108.18 crore through 21 projects.

Chitrakoot, which is also attracting a lot of pilgrims because of its connection with Lord Ram, has got eight new projects worth Rs 118 crore.

Principal secretary, tourism, Mukesh Meshram said that the figures speak for the rising tourism economy of UP which is riding the spiritual tourism wave.

"Apart from being the birthplace of Ram and Krishna and the abode of Shiva , Uttar Pradesh is also the land of Buddha’s enlightenment. Then, there are 20-plus world-famous destinations closely linked to Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism, Sikhism and Christianity. Together these facts make the state a must-visit for many pilgrims," he said.

Tourism minister Jaiveer Singh said that this was just the beginning for UP.

"Around 1.5 lakh tourists are visiting Varanasi daily while an equal number are already visiting Ayodhya since the Ram temple was dedicated to people," the minister said.