The Bawan Village Visitor Center was conceived by the Trace Architecture Office (TAO). Bawan Village is located on the western bank of the Lujiangba Basin, adjacent to the southern slopes of the Gaoligong Mountains.
The Bawan Village Visitor Center was conceived by the Trace Architecture Office (TAO). Bawan Village is located on the western bank of the Lujiangba Basin, adjacent to the southern slopes of the Gaoligong Mountains.
The surrounding landscape is characterized by agricultural terraces, orchards, and stone houses, arranged in a succession of planes where the mountainous terrain transitions into subtropical plains. The village evolved progressively according to the local topography, resulting in a built environment that demonstrates an intimate connection between architecture and the natural environment.
Following the inauguration of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham temple complex, which was dedicated to the nation and world by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has approved the long-awaited request from Kashi residents to create a separate route for local citizens within the temple.
Previously, this privilege was available only for two hours a day; however, it will now be available around the clock. This will allow local pilgrims to visit Baba Vishwanath while avoiding crowds. These changes were implemented after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's visit to Varanasi during his two-day tour.
During a meeting with government representatives and officials at Sarkhej House, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the preparations for the month of Shravan and ordered that a permanent system for a separate route for Kashi residents in the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple be ensured. Immediately following these directives, the temple administration announced the new scheme.
Before the temple's opening, as visitor numbers continuously grew due to pilgrims from all over the world, local residents faced long waits. The temple council had previously designated Gate No. 4B as 'Kashi Dwar' for the convenience of local pilgrims in 2024. Through this gate, local residents could enter upon presenting a local ID card from 4 AM to 5 AM and from 4 PM to 5 PM. However, local residents felt this time was insufficient and demanded access to a separate entrance throughout the entire visiting period.
By order of the minister, the temple administration announced the introduction of a new system. Local residents can now enter through Kashi Dwar (Gate No. 4B) from 4:15 AM to 10:45 PM. This means the service will be available 15 minutes after the temple opens and 15 minutes before it closes. Nevertheless, the administration clarified that this system will not be applied during special festivals and major religious dates, as the number of pilgrims significantly exceeds the usual during those days.
Dr. Nilakanth Tiwari, former minister and MP from Varanasi South, welcomed the minister's decision at the meeting. He emphasized that this was a long-awaited request from the people of Kashi and expressed gratitude to Yogi Adityanath on behalf of the local population. He also requested that issues faced by traders due to barricading from Maidagin to Godaulia during Sawan be addressed, and that a sufficient number of ambulances be provided along the entire route. The minister gave appropriate instructions to officials regarding this matter.
During the meeting, the minister checked the administrative readiness to receive millions of pilgrims during the month of Shravan. He instructed the administration, police, municipal corporation, public works department, and electricity department to work in coordination. Furthermore, strengthening crowd management was ordered by establishing better coordination with the railway and transport departments. The minister also directed that services such as cleanliness, drinking water, medical aid, lost and found center, disaster management, and free lockers be provided to pilgrims.
Considering the rising water level in the Ganges River, the minister demanded that the water police remain vigilant, mandate the use of life jackets on boats, and ensure video surveillance of the ghats. He also ordered the strengthening of security for the barricading from Maidagin to Godaulia, exercising extra caution near dilapidated buildings, and ensuring effective traffic management throughout the month of Sawan. The minister also directed that shifts of staff working in the temple be changed based on rotation. He specifically noted that no fraud or violations against pilgrims under the guise of VIP visits should occur. Instructions were also given to tighten control over those who unreasonably charge fees in hotels, restaurants, and bus stations.
District Director Satendra Kumar reported in the meeting that 536 projects worth 36,210 crore rupees have been completed since 2014, and work is underway on 191 projects worth 25,007 crore rupees. The minister instructed that the cable car project be completed on time, work on the 'Jal Jeevan' mission be accelerated, roads be immediately repaired after underground cable laying, the Dalmandi road be expanded, a new town and integrated mall be built, and other development projects be completed within the stipulated deadlines. The minister also directed police personnel to increase foot patrols, improve communication with the public, enhance vigilance in border areas, and ensure prompt resolution of complaints received through IGRS and CM Helpline.
