Where the sacred Ganges curves through ancient Varanasi stands Vishwanath Dham—one of Hinduism's most revered sites, and one of only 12 jyotirlingas in India. Completed in 2022, this 8.21-hectare monumental, culturally prominent development restores spiritual dignity to a space that had succumbed to congestion and ad-hoc development, affecting its accessibility.
"If even our temples are not models of roominess and cleanliness, what can our self-government be?" quoted Mahatma Gandhi after visiting in 1916. Over a century later, his vision for a sacred precinct has materialized through the Vishwanath Dham project when HCP was appointed to propose a comprehensive redevelopment plan.
Sacred Space Reclaimed
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, built in 1780, had become imprisoned by unplanned development. With 15,000 daily visitors—and over 100,000 during festivals—the area had become nearly inaccessible, with narrow lanes and inadequate infrastructure creating conditions inadequate of its spiritual significance. The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Board (SKVSADB)
faced formidable challenges: creating proper access, establishing security measures, developing queuing facilities, placing visitor amenities strategically, and integrating modern utilities while honouring the site's profound significance.
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