Modi in Varanasi: 'Su raj' (good governance) is as important to India as is 'swaraj' (self-rule), says PM

PM addresses 98th anniversary celebrations of Sadguru Sadafaldeo Vihangam Yog Sansthan

The energy of Kashi is not only intact, it also continues to take new expansions. Yesterday Kashi offered the grand 'Viswanath Dham' at the feet of Mahadev: PM

"Today is the auspicious occasion of Gita Jayanti. On this day in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, when the armies were face to face, humanity got the ultimate knowledge of Yoga, Spirituality and Paramarth. On this occasion, while bowing at the feet of Lord Krishna"

"I bow to Sadhguru Sadafal Dev ji, I bow to his spiritual presence. I also express my gratitude to Shri Swatantradev Ji Maharaj and Shri Vigyandev Ji Maharaj, who are keeping this tradition alive, giving new expansion"

"Cities like Banaras have preserved the seeds of India's identity, of art, of entrepreneurship, even in the toughest of times. Where there is a seed, the tree begins to expand from there.  And that is why, today when we talk about the development of Banaras, it also forms the roadmap for the development of the whole of India"

"Our country is so wonderful that, whenever the time is opposite, some saint-vibhuti descends here to divert the current of time. It is India whose biggest hero of freedom is called Mahatma by the world"

"At the time of freedom struggle, Sadhguru had given us the mantra – Swadeshi. Today, in the same spirit, the country has now started 'Self-reliant India Mission'. Today, the local business-employment of the country, products are being strengthened, local is being made global"

"Whenever I come to Kashi or even stay in Delhi, I attempt to keep pace with the development work being done in Banaras. After 12 o'clock last night, as soon as I got the opportunity, I went out again to see the work that is going on in Kashi"

At around 3:30 PM, PM Modi is expected to attend the 98th-anniversary celebrations of Sadguru Sadafaldeo Vihangam Yog Sansthan at Swarved Mahamandir in Varanasi, according to Prime Minister's Office (PMO). 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Tuesday at the BLW Guesthouse in Varanasi, apparently to discuss the 2022 state Assembly elections.

The participants of the meeting included BJP President J.P. Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, state in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, and state party President Swatantra Dev Singh.

According to sources, the Prime Minister discussed issues dominating the state elections and also the ground realities related to various welfare projects initiated by the BJP governments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, ventured out on the streets of Varanasi in the early hours of Tuesday and visited the just-inaugurated Kashi Vishwanath Dham and the Banaras railway station. SEE PICS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the spectacular Ganga 'aarti' here on Monday evening while onboard a river cruise with chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states.

This was the prime minister's third engagement in the holy city after visiting the Kal Bhairav temple and inaugurating the Kashi Vishwanath Dham earlier in the day.

Modi boarded the Swami Vivekananda cruise at Sant Ravidas Ghat to witness the evening 'aarti' on the banks of river Ganga that were illuminated by thousands of diyas.

In a tweet in Hindi, Modi said, "Ganga 'aarti' of Kashi always fills the inner soul with new energy. Today, after fulfilling the big dream of Kashi, (I) attended the Ganga 'aarti' at Dashashwamedh Ghat and bowed before Mother Ganga for her grace."

He also shared a short video showing the ghats of Ganga bathed in multi-colour lights.