Latest news with #VishwaBhushanMishra
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Post Shrawan, total plastic ban at KVD
1 2 Varanasi: Building on the success of its single-use plastic ban drive in 2024, the Kashi Vishwanath Dham authorities are now taking a significant step towards a more sustainable future. Starting Aug 10, after the conclusion of the Shrawan month, the temple premises will enforce a comprehensive ban on all types of plastic items. This means that visitors will no longer be allowed to bring plastic containers, including those for milk or flower garlands, into the sacred space. This move underscores the temple's commitment to reducing plastic waste and promoting eco-friendly practices. Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, CEO of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, revealed that a recent stakeholder meeting focused on making the temple premises completely plastic-free. Following the discussion, a decision was made to strictly enforce a ban on all types of plastic containers within the shrine area, effective August 10, the day after the Shravan month concludes. Following the Dec 2024 Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham Special Areas Development Board meeting's decision, the plan for a plastic-free dham was implemented. The CEO said it yielded positive results, and the entry of single-use plastic was completely stopped. Despite the efforts to reduce plastic waste, devotees often bring offerings like milk and garlands in plastic containers, and shopkeepers sell items in plastic packaging. To address this, temple officials have decided to extend the plastic ban to include all types of plastic materials. During the upcoming Shrawan month (July 11 to Aug 9), the use of plastic items, such as plastic pitchers, will be discouraged, paving the way for a complete ban on Aug 10. From Aug 10, the entry ban will be imposed, and the entry of any type of plastic, such as milk or garland containers, will be completely prohibited. Extensive publicity will be conducted through media, social media, and other means throughout the Shrawan month. Strict measures will ensure no plastic enters the dham under any circumstances. The stakeholders also provided valuable insights into establishing better coordination to make this plan a complete success.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ahead of Shrawan, fees for KV temple priest services likely to be revised
1 2 Varanasi: A priest would definitely get anything between Rs 800 and Rs 1,100 for performing Rudrabhishek anywhere else, but at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, which has undergone a grand rejuvenation, a priest receives just Rs 150 for performing the ritual. This rate has remained unchanged since 2014. Vendors supplying worship material for rituals said the price of a 'thaal' (plate) was fixed at Rs 65 in 2014 and it has not been revised so far. However, now it seems that priests and vendors would start getting a decent payment as divisional commissioner S Rajalingam has asked for a proposal to revise the fees and the price of a 'puja thaal'. The divisional commissioner chaired a coordination meeting hosted by Kashi Vishwanath Dham authorities with all stakeholders at the board room on Sunday evening to discuss preparations for the Shravan month of 2025. During the meeting, the concerns of priests and 'puja thaal' vendors were presented. The priests informed him that they receive only Rs 150 for Rudrabhishek ritual. When TOI inquired about the minimum fee charged by an individual ritualist performing rituals independently, senior ritualists and priests of the holy city stated that even junior priests, who assist 'acharyas' (chief ritualists at events like Rudrabhishek), are currently receiving between Rs 800 and Rs 1,100. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo They mentioned that this fee is given to individuals apart from donations, which depend on the wishes of the 'jajman' (the person who organises any ritual at their preferred place). The 'puja thali' vendors highlighted their problems, mentioning that the price of a worship plate is only Rs 65, which results in providing worship material in limited quantities. This often leads to dissatisfaction among devotees, who then question the vendors and priests about it. Chief executive officer Vishwa Bhushan Mishra said that the rates for performing rituals like Rudrabhishek and 'puja thaal' were set in 2014 and have not been revised. As a result, payments to vendors and priests were done at the old rates. Taking a serious note of the situation, the divisional commissioner asked the temple administration to present a proposal comprising details of changes in the cost of living and increase in the price of 'puja' material over the past 11 years. He assured that once such a proposal is tabled, an appropriate decision would be initiated. The stakeholders, including shopkeepers, security and cleaning agencies, guest houses, refreshment centres and other institutions operating in the area, apprised the officials of the issues they face during large gatherings on major festivals such as the Shravan month, its Mondays, Rangbhari Ekadashi and Mahashivratri. These issues include transportation and the non-accessibility of devotees to shops. Officials were assigned to study the issue for a proper solution through coordination with all parties.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shrawan: All aarti tickets of KVT sold out
Varanasi: Tickets for all four Aartis, which require booking for participation, for the auspicious Shrawan month, have been sold out. Among the five Aartis, entry of devotees without any ticket is allowed only during the Shayan Aarti. Regarding the Shrawan month, commencing from July 11, Kashi Vishwanath Temple Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Vishwa Bhushan Mishra said that the trend of large crowds during this auspicious month will remain evident this year as well. Through the temple's online booking facility, pilgrims from across the globe have already purchased Aarti tickets for all days of the Shrawan month. "All booking slots for the daily Aartis during the month of Shrawan are full," he said. The temple allows booking of tickets for four Aartis— Mangala Aarti, Bhog Aarti, Saptarishi Aarti, and Shringar/Bhog Aarti. However, no booking has been done for Shayan Aarti, specifically performed by the local residents of Kashi by singing hymns to put the deity to sleep.
