NEW DLEHI: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday said that his first visit to Kashi 25 years ago proved life-changing, as a dip in the Ganga inspired him to give up non-vegetarian food and embrace vegetarianism .
Speaking after inaugurating a new satram (lodging facility) in Varanasi along with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Radhakrishnan recalled, “When I first came to Kashi 25 years ago, I was a non-vegetarian. After bathing in the Ganga, my life changed so much that I adopted vegetarianism.”
The vice president and the chief minister inaugurated the 10-storey satram built by the Sri Kasi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram Managing Society. The new facility, constructed at a cost of Rs 60 crore through community contributions, comprises 140 rooms and aims to serve visiting devotees from Tamil Nadu and across India.
Radhakrishnan praised the Nagarathar community for their commitment to social service and for promoting Tamil culture. “Dharma may face a crisis temporarily, but it is never permanent. This building bears witness to that,” he said, adding that the Natukottai group’s efforts exemplify “service, religion, and progress.”
Referring to the city’s development, he said, “There is a vast difference between the Kashi of 25 years ago and the Kashi of today. This transformation has been possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath.”
He described the new satram as more than a lodging facility - a bridge between North and South India - and said it represents a “new chapter in the cultural bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.” He noted that the institution, originally established in 1863 to help Tamil devotees visiting Kashi, continues that legacy even today.
Radhakrishnan also highlighted the return of the idol of Goddess Annapurani Amman Devi to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex in 2021 from Canada, calling it a reflection of India’s ongoing cultural renaissance under the Modi government.
The vice president noted that the facility incorporates 76 solar lamps worth Rs 1.5 crore, expected to save around Rs 25 lakh annually through green energy use.
Later, Radhakrishnan offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Annapurani Amman Devi Mandir within the complex, seeking peace, prosperity, and well-being for all.
Earlier, in a post on X, he said the new satram “aims to serve visiting devotees and encourage younger generations to visit the holy city,” reflecting the enduring Kashi - Tamil connection in the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
(With inputs from agency)
Speaking after inaugurating a new satram (lodging facility) in Varanasi along with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Radhakrishnan recalled, “When I first came to Kashi 25 years ago, I was a non-vegetarian. After bathing in the Ganga, my life changed so much that I adopted vegetarianism.”
The vice president and the chief minister inaugurated the 10-storey satram built by the Sri Kasi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram Managing Society. The new facility, constructed at a cost of Rs 60 crore through community contributions, comprises 140 rooms and aims to serve visiting devotees from Tamil Nadu and across India.
Radhakrishnan praised the Nagarathar community for their commitment to social service and for promoting Tamil culture. “Dharma may face a crisis temporarily, but it is never permanent. This building bears witness to that,” he said, adding that the Natukottai group’s efforts exemplify “service, religion, and progress.”
Referring to the city’s development, he said, “There is a vast difference between the Kashi of 25 years ago and the Kashi of today. This transformation has been possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath.”
He described the new satram as more than a lodging facility - a bridge between North and South India - and said it represents a “new chapter in the cultural bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.” He noted that the institution, originally established in 1863 to help Tamil devotees visiting Kashi, continues that legacy even today.
Radhakrishnan also highlighted the return of the idol of Goddess Annapurani Amman Devi to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex in 2021 from Canada, calling it a reflection of India’s ongoing cultural renaissance under the Modi government.
The vice president noted that the facility incorporates 76 solar lamps worth Rs 1.5 crore, expected to save around Rs 25 lakh annually through green energy use.
Later, Radhakrishnan offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Annapurani Amman Devi Mandir within the complex, seeking peace, prosperity, and well-being for all.
Earlier, in a post on X, he said the new satram “aims to serve visiting devotees and encourage younger generations to visit the holy city,” reflecting the enduring Kashi - Tamil connection in the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
(With inputs from agency)
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