Narendra Modi’s ‘devotionalism’:Prime Minister adopts ‘heritage development’ policy by developing temples from Kedar to Kashi

Developed Somnath temple premises, started construction of Ram temple, a dream of Hindus

It has been said time and time again for the BJP that this party is playing the card of Hindutva for political gain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded differently to these allegations. The Prime Minister is in a hurry to develop the temples. It has been established that BJP believes in devotionalism instead of Hindutva. He has adopted ‘politics of heritage development’ by developing temples from Kedar to Kashi. He not only made a statement to establish Hindutva but also dipped Kashi in the Ganges with sandalwood on his forehead.

He set up a number of facilities for devotees visiting the Somnath Mahadev Temple, ranging from walkways and museums. Kedarnath developed tremendously. The construction work of Ram temple started in Ayodhya, a dream of Hindus of India. Lastly, by giving a grand development to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, he has given a strong answer to the statements of the Opposition’s Hindu card.

Even abroad,
Prime Minister Modi naturally reaches the hearts and minds of the people by building temples to the tune of Har Har Mahadev. He always talks to people about heritage and development. He followed the same model of politics in Gujarat. In Gujarat too, he was a leader who carried Hindutva and development with him. They are following the same Gujarat model all over India including UP. Political experts believe that the BJP wants to portray Prime Minister Modi as the most prominent Hindu leader since independence. So that Hindu temples can be built and restored in India as well as abroad.

The restoration of the Somnath temple was opposed by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Before independence, the Nawab of Junagadh decided to go with Pakistan in 1947. But India did not accept his decision and Junagadh was annexed to India. Even at that time Somnath temple was the center of faith for the Hindus of the country. After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel announced the reconstruction of the temple. But he died on December 5, 1950. In his blog, senior BJP leader LK Advani wrote about the reconstruction of the Somnath temple, saying that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi, supported Jawaharlal Nehru and K.M. Munshi and NV Gadgil had collaborated. However, then Mahatma Gandhi said that it would be better to take funds from the people instead of the government. A trust was then set up to rebuild the Somnath temple.

Picture of the time when Rajendra Prasad visited Somnath temple
Picture of the time when Rajendra Prasad visited Somnath temple

However, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru believed that the government should have no role in the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple. This work should be done by a trust. The trust started on 5th March 1950 and Maharaja Jam Saheb laid the foundation stone of the temple. By 1951, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was ready. At the inauguration of the Somnath Temple in 1951, President Dr. Rajendra Prasad was invited. At that time, Jawaharlal Nehru wrote a letter to Rajendra Prasad asking him to reconsider his decision. “India is a secular country,” Nehru wrote in the letter. So going to a temple function of a President will send a wrong message and many false arguments can be made. However, at that time Rajendra Prasad attended the inauguration of the Somnath temple.

Amit Shah calls Modi the flag bearer of Indian culture

Since Prime Minister Modi came to power in 2014, he has started projects for the restoration of many temples. Apart from that, they also visit temples during their political visits to various states and convey the message of Hindutva to the people by chanting. We can also understand the BJP’s strategy through a tweet from Home Minister Amit Shah. Ahead of the Kashi program, Amit Shah tweeted on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, as the bearer of Indian culture and the guardian of religion, has worked to revive the pride of culture’s faith centers. Today is a very proud day for every Indian.

Modi’s contribution in the construction of these temples

Ram Mandir, Ayodhya In the
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi case which has been going on for more than 70 years, the Supreme Court had given its verdict in favor of Hindus on November 9, 2019. Then came the five-decade-long struggle and dream of Hindu society. After this decision, the Narendra Modi government started work quickly and the construction of the magnificent Ram temple in Ayodhya began. The foundation stone of which was also laid by Prime Minister Modi in August 2020. The BJP has planned to establish the entire area as a major Hindu pilgrimage center even before the construction of the Ram temple here is completed.

Modi lays foundation stone of Ram temple in Ayodhya
Modi lays foundation stone of Ram temple in Ayodhya

Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
Kashi Vishwanath Temple was located in a very narrow and crowded area in Varanasi. Mahatma Gandhi also spoke about its development when he visited Kashi on February 4, 1916 at the inauguration of Benaras Hindu University. After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, he started working on Kashi’s infrastructure. On March 8, 2019, Prime Minister Modi launched the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, an ambitious project for the redevelopment and rehabilitation of the Kashi Vishwanath temple complex.

During his two-day visit to Kashi-Vishwanath, Prime Minister Modi bathed in the Ganges
During his two-day visit to Kashi-Vishwanath, Prime Minister Modi bathed in the Ganges

The project was difficult to complete due to the large number of buildings surrounding Kashi Vishwanath. The plan was conceived in such a way that new facilities would be provided in the temple premises, people around the temple would be able to come and go easily, and the temple would be directly connected to Ganga Ghat. Prime Minister Modi wanted to connect the Ganga river and Kashi Vishwanath temple directly so that the pilgrims could bathe in the river Ganga and take water to the temple easily. To make this hypothesis a reality, under Modi’s guidance, the surrounding property was acquired so that people would not have any problem and the whole project could be completed easily. Approximately 40 more ancient temples have been recovered in the demolition of the buildings around the temple.

Kedarnath Dham
Kedarnath Dham has also been redeveloped after the Modi government floods in 2013. The Kedarnath temple complex has also been redesigned and many facilities have been set up for the pilgrims. When Modi visited Kedarnath this Diwali, he said, “Many projects have been laid here today, but there should be a hospital here for the convenience of the pilgrims, a rest center, this will make their pilgrimage hassle-free.” Even when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat years ago, I could not stop myself. I was running here. I saw the destruction with my own eyes. She suffered. People who came here thought that our Kedardham would rise again, but my inner voice was saying that Kedarnath would rise again with more pomp than before.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kedarnath on November 5 this year on Diwali
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kedarnath on November 5 this year on Diwali

Somnath Temple Complex
During his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi has started a project to beautify the temple premises and add many facilities to it. Recently, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a museum, a beach walkway at the Somnath temple premises. The Somnath Trust, headed by Prime Minister Modi, has also increased temple facilities. Notably, after Keshubapa’s death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the president of the Somnath Trust.

Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at the Somnath temple premises.
Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at the Somnath temple premises.

Chardham project got the green signal
Modi government, the Supreme Court has allowed the project to build a two-lane road as part of the Char Dham Road. The court has decided to allow the construction of a double lane road in view of its strategic importance for the Army. However, the government’s Chardham project aims to connect the four holy places of the hill state, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath in all seasons. Chardham can be visited in any season after completion of this project. 900 km long road will be constructed under this project.

Modi lays foundation stone of temple in
Abu Dhabi A magnificent Swaminarayan temple is being constructed by BAPS on 20,000 square meters of land at a place called ‘Al Wakba’ in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The construction of this magnificent temple will be adorned with epics of Hindu scriptures, scriptures, ancient stories and popular motifs in the Gulf countries. According to Indian embassy figures, there are 2.6 million Indians living in the UAE, accounting for 30% of the population. The place where this temple is being built is only 30 minutes away from Abu Dhabi. Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the temple through video-conferencing at the Dubai Opera House during his two-day visit to Dubai in 2018.

Modi and Swaminarayan saints in Abu Dhabi
Modi and Swaminarayan saints in Abu Dhabi

Modi also told Jinping about the mythological significance of India.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Mahabalipuram, Chennai in October 2019 for a second informal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi arrived here in traditional Tamil attire to welcome the Chinese President. At this time Modi and Jinping visited 3 monuments in Mahabalipuram. These included Arjuna’s place of penance, Panch Rath and Shor temple.

Picture of Jinping visiting India in October 2019
Picture of Jinping visiting India in October 2019