March 31, 2026 5:22 PM

‘Devoted his life to service and spirituality’: PM Modi pays tribute to Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji of the Shri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi, saying that the revered seer devoted his life to service and spirituality. Taking to the social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote, “On the special occasion of his birth centenary, paying homage to Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji of the Shri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. He devoted his life towards service and spirituality.” Highlighting the Swamiji’...

January 4, 2026 5:37 PM

PM Modi inaugurates 72nd National Volleyball Tournament, draws parallels between sport and India’s development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi through video conferencing, highlighting the strong parallels between India’s development journey and the spirit of volleyball, which, he said, teaches teamwork, coordination and shared responsibility. Addressing players and officials, the Prime Minister said that no victory is achieved alone, either in sports or in nation-building. “Our success depends on coordination, trust and readiness...

December 24, 2025 12:03 PM

People in Varanasi to get 24 smart parks with yoga, walking and gym facilities near homes

Residents of Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi are set to receive a major boost to local fitness and recreation as the Yogi Adityanath-led state government develops 24 smart parks across the city in the New Year. The parks will be equipped with facilities for yoga, walking and light exercise, allowing people to access such amenities close to their homes. Of the 24 parks, 20 have already been completed, while work on the remaining four is progressing rapidly and they are expected to open to the public ...

December 12, 2025 10:16 AM

India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel begins commercial operations in Varanasi

India on Thursday launched its first fully indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger vessel into commercial service, marking a significant step toward decarbonising the country’s inland water transport sector. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the vessel’s maiden commercial run from Namo Ghat in Varanasi. Developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL) and operated by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the vessel is the first in the c...

November 6, 2025 5:11 PM

PM Modi to inaugurate National Conference on ‘Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms’ on November 8

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and address the National Conference on “Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms” on November 8, 2025, at around 5 PM at the Supreme Court of India. Organised by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the two-day conference will focus on enhancing access to justice and improving the efficiency of India’s legal aid system. During the event, the Prime Minister will also launch the Community Mediation Training Module, developed by NALSA...

November 6, 2025 4:07 PM

PM Modi to flag off four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi on November 8

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Varanasi on November 8 to flag off four new Vande Bharat Express trains, marking another major step in India’s ongoing railway modernization drive. The event, scheduled for 8:15 AM, will see the launch of new services connecting key cultural, economic, and commercial centers across the country. The new semi-high-speed trains will operate on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes, further strengthening r...

November 6, 2025 10:37 AM

Varanasi dazzles in divine splendour as Dev Deepawali lights up Ganga ghats

The ghats of Varanasi were transformed into a celestial panorama on Wednesday evening as lakhs of diyas (earthen lamps) illuminated the banks of the Ganga during the grand celebration of Dev Deepawali. Often called the “Diwali of the Gods”, the festival turned the ancient city into a shimmering sea of light, devotion, and divine splendour. On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared breathtaking aerial photographs of the festivities on X, captioned: “Spectacular Dev Deepawali in ...

November 5, 2025 6:28 PM

Devotees take holy dip in rivers on Kartik Purnima; Varanasi ghats ready for Dev Deepawali

Devotees across the country gathered at rivers, lakes, and ghats on Wednesday to take holy dips and offer prayers on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima, one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar, marking the full moon of the Kartik month. The day is associated with devotion, charity, and the celebration of light, symbolising spiritual purity and the triumph of good over evil. Haridwar: Holy dip at Har Ki Pauri Thousands of devotees thronged Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar from the earl...

November 4, 2025 12:10 PM

Preparations in full swing at Varanasi’s Ganga ghats for Dev Deepawali

Preparations are in full swing at the Ganga Ghats in Varanasi for Dev Deepawali, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, coinciding with Kartik Poornima. Sushant Mishra, organiser of the Ganga Maha Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, said that the Ganga Seva Nidhi organises a grand Maha Aarti of Goddess Ganga once a year. “The Maha Aarti is performed by twenty-one Brahmins and forty-two dev kanayas. The ghat is being adorned with around twenty-one quintals of flower garlands, and fifty-one thousand l...

September 11, 2025 11:05 PM

Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam witnesses Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, emphasising cultural ties

Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius on Thursday witnessed the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, experiencing what he described as a sacred connect with the Holy Ganga. In a post on X, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the significance of the moment, stating, “Experiencing the sacred connect with the Holy Ganga. PM @Ramgoolam_Dr of Mauritius witnessed Ganga Aarti at Varanasi today. This spiritual experience symbolises the timeless bonds of faith and tradition that bind Ind...