Varanasi: A new chapter unfolded in the spiritual heart of India as Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated the grand Sri Kashi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram Dharmshala in Varanasi.
Amid chants and cheers, the Vice President said he felt “immense pleasure” dedicating the complex to devotees, while CM Yogi hailed it as “a shining symbol of both devotion and development.”
Hon. VP Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan Ji today inaugurated the New Dharmshala Building of Sri Kasi Nattukottai Nagara Satram Managing Society in Varanasi.
This Dharmshala will not only provide a comfortable stay for devotees but also strengthen the age-old cultural bond between Kashi… pic.twitter.com/JBbELYCCF2
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 31, 2025
A Grand Vision of Faith and Progress
The ten-storey, solar-powered dharmshala, built at a cost of ₹60 crore, stands over 14,500 sq ft and is the largest guest facility in Purvanchal. It offers 140 fully air-conditioned rooms, including 15 suites, 35 deluxe rooms, and a dormitory, with parking for 200 vehicles.
It also houses a grand kitchen, Annakshetra (dining hall), and banquet hall, designed to serve the rising number of pilgrims visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.
Constructed by Chennai-based URC Construction, the project’s foundation was laid on April 17, 2024. The site belongs to the 212-year-old Sri Kasi Nattukottai Nagara Satram Managing Society of Tamil Nadu, run by the Nattukottai Chettiar community, known for their historic service to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Reviving Heritage, Reclaiming Faith
Chairman L. Narayanan shared that the land, purchased in 1854 for cultivating garlands and offerings for temple rituals, had been reclaimed from encroachment in 2020. The revival and reconstruction of this property mark a milestone in restoring both spiritual legacy and public trust.
According to the sources, the site, long encroached upon by local land mafias, was freed under the Yogi administration and repurposed for religious and public use.
Affordable Devotion with Modern Comfort
All rooms can accommodate up to three guests and are fully air-conditioned. Suite rooms come with attached lobbies, blending traditional hospitality with modern amenities.
Devotees will be served free vegetarian meals thrice a day, while room tariffs will remain affordable, to be announced soon.
‘Bhakti and Vikas’ in Harmony
The inauguration embodies Uttar Pradesh’s vision of “Devotion with Development”, merging cultural heritage with world-class infrastructure.
With this new dharmshala, Kashi reinforces its status as a global spiritual destination — where ancient faith and modern India walk hand in hand.
As Varanasi’s skyline evolves, this shining structure stands as a living bridge between the sacred past and the aspirational future.
