Is Varanasi turning as a ‘polluting Tourist place’ desecrating its Dharmik Significance?

In the holy city of Kashi, 100 liquor shops have increased in five years, meat shops have doubled, 93 shrines and temples shifted in the special development of Modi-Yogi Model.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Varanasi | March 8, 2025:: In the holy city of Kashi, more than 100 liquor shops have increased in five years. At the same time, the number of registered meat and fish shops has also more than doubled in the last five years. In the race to increase meat and liquor shops, the rules and laws regarding distance from schools and temples are also being openly violated. This is when more than 93 religious places were shifted from the main roads during road widening in the last five years.

According to the Excise Department, five years ago in 2018, 308 country liquor shops, 167 English liquor shops and 145 beer shops were registered. The number of model shops was not more than six-seven. In the year 2023-2024, 381 country liquor shops, 184 English liquor shops, 164 beer shops, 13 model shops and 93 cannabis shops are being operated. Government liquor shops are also open near religious places.

On the other hand, 900 meat and fish shops are operating in the district. From roads to colonies and streets, neighbourhoods, carts and shops selling non-vegetarian food are being set up on permanent and temporary basis. These shops are not even registered anywhere. The enforcement team of the Municipal Corporation occasionally runs a campaign and removes those who set up shops and carts illegally.

Most non-vegetarian food is sold in front of Cantt station
Most of the non-vegetarian food shops in the city are set up in Vijayanagar Market, Parade Kothi and Englishia Line in front of Varanasi Cantt Railway Station. The number of these shops is also the highest in the Night Bazaar. Apart from this, non-vegetarian food shops are set up on Ravindrapuri Marg near Vijaya Square in Bhelupur. The number of non-vegetarian shops near Lanka Square has also doubled in these two years.

Ignoring religious places on the ring road
Restaurants, Dhabas and shops selling non-vegetarian food are being run on the Harhua-Gazipur ring road ignoring religious places. Meat and liquor are being consumed near religious places. Despite protests, there is no hearing anywhere.

There are separate shops of country liquor and beer right in front of Ram Janaki Sadha temple located at Chowkghat. A bhang shop is running just a few steps away from the temple. Meat and fish are being openly sold near this temple.

District Excise Officer Omveer Singh says, no complaint has been received regarding liquor shops near temples and schools. We are also conducting an investigation on our own. If any shop is found to be against the standard, its allotment will be cancelled.

Dharmik significance is ignored
The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, a dream project of PM Modi, has indeed transformed the city’s landscape. However, concerns have been raised that the development has ignored the city’s deep-rooted Dharmik significance. Many ancient Hindu shrines and temples were demolished, and deities desecrated, during the construction process.

The increase in alcohol shops, meat shops, and nightclubs in the city has also been seen as a threat to the city’s spiritual ambiance. Critics argue that these developments are turning Varanasi into just another tourist destination, rather than a holy city for spiritual pursuits like Sadhna or Satsang.

It’s worth noting that the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project aimed to provide a convenient and accessible route for devotees to worship at the temple. The project also included the construction of several facilities, including a Yatri Suvidha Kendra, shopping complex, and food court. However, the concerns around the project’s impact on the city’s spiritual heritage and Dharmik significance remain valid and deserve consideration.

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__Agency inputs.