A grand celebration narrating the story of India’s pride and progress will be held at the BLW Ground in Varanasi from April 3 to 5, 2026 (Vaishakh Krishna Paksha, Vikram Samvat 2083). The three-day event, jointly organised by the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, will feature the historic staging of the grand theatrical production ‘Samrat Vikramaditya’.

Following the successful installation of the world’s first ‘Vikramaditya Vedic Clock’ in Ujjain last year, an ancient centre of Indian timekeeping, a significant step has now been taken to extend this initiative to other Jyotirlinga shrines across the country. As part of the effort to revive India’s rich heritage of time reckoning, the Vedic clock will first be offered to Baba Vishwanath in Varanasi.

The clock reflects the traditional Indian system of time calculation and also has a modern digital extension. A dedicated mobile application has been launched, providing information on time and the Panchang in more than 180 languages worldwide. This initiative, which began in Ujjain and now extends to the corridors of Kashi, not only strengthens India’s cultural identity but also helps re-establish the nation’s scientific heritage on the global stage.

The Vikramaditya Vedic Clock is the world’s first clock based on Indian timekeeping, a unique blend of Indian tradition, Vedic calculation, and scientific vision. Serving as a cultural axis, it will link global languages, traditions, faiths, and rituals.

Its mobile app includes rare information on Panchang, tithi, constellations, yog, karan, days, months, fasts, and festivals, spanning from 3179 BCE and the Mahabharata era to over 7,000 years into the future. It provides details of along 30 muhurts, with alarms for religious and spiritual activities. The app displays Vedic time (30-hour cycle) along with GMT, IST, temperature, wind speed, humidity, and weather updates. Available in 189 global languages, it provides precise sunrise and sunset timings and a detailed breakdown of all 30 muhurts for each day.

The event will facilitate extensive dialogue on key themes, integrating ODOP, GI-tagged products, traditional crafts, export-oriented products, investment and tourism to build a comprehensive economic ecosystem. The active presence of CM Mohan Yadav will elevate the conclave from policy discussion to implementation-driven cooperation, paving the way for a strong and long-term development model between the two states.

Study Visit to Shape Vision for Modern Pilgrimage Management: The event will begin with a study visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, led by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. During the visit, aspects such as crowd flow design, infrastructure layout and pilgrim management systems will be closely examined. This visit will not merely be an inspection but an opportunity to understand a successful model of modern urban planning and pilgrimage site management. Based on these learnings, Madhya Pradesh will develop a practical approach for the development of religious sites, expansion of facilities and systemic improvements, making pilgrimage tourism more organised and attractive.

Integrated Global Platform for ODOP, GI and Export-Oriented Products: The conclave will place special focus on linking ODOP and GI-tagged products, traditional crafts, agricultural and food products with branding, marketing and exports. A presentation on Uttar Pradesh’s ODOP initiative and its economic impact will highlight how local products can be made competitive in global markets. The platform will also explore a shared branding strategy for products from both states, opening new avenues for export promotion and value addition.

MoUs to Strengthen Partnership in Trade, Investment and Skill Development: During the conclave, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to formalise cooperation in trade, industrial investment, skill development, handicraft promotion and tourism. These agreements will go beyond documentation and will be implemented on the ground to create new opportunities for industries, entrepreneurs and artisans. The exchange of ODOP products will also help local products access new markets and enhance their brand value.

Common Platform for Industry, Policymakers and Artisans: The conclave will provide an inclusive platform for industry leaders, investors, artisans, agricultural and food producers and policymakers to engage in discussions on policy incentives, infrastructure development, logistics support and investment opportunities. Participation from sectors such as textiles and apparel, handicrafts, MSMEs, food processing, logistics and tourism will make the event multi-dimensional, strengthening industry–government coordination and creating an enabling environment for investment decisions.

Exhibition to Showcase Madhya Pradesh’s Industrial and Cultural Strength: An exhibition organised during the conclave will present ODOP products, GI-tagged handicrafts, traditional textiles, investment opportunities, industrial capabilities and major tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh in an integrated manner. The exhibition will not merely be a display but an opportunity for investors and participants to understand and engage with the state’s real strengths, showcasing Madhya Pradesh’s economic and cultural diversity in a cohesive and impactful way.

Innovative ‘Ganga–Narmada Craft Corridor’ to Boost Craft Collaboration: A Joint Artisan Workshop will bring together Chanderi and Maheshwari artisans from Madhya Pradesh with Banarasi silk craftsmen to promote shared branding, market expansion and the concept of the ‘Ganga–Narmada Craft Corridor’. This initiative will align traditional crafts with modern market requirements and provide artisans with direct market access, strengthening their livelihoods and giving fresh recognition to handicrafts.

Kashi–Ujjain–Chitrakoot Circuit to Boost Religious Tourism: The Tourism Round Table will deliberate on developing the Kashi–Ujjain–Chitrakoot religious tourism circuit as a joint tourism product. With the participation of tour operators and key stakeholders such as IRCTC, emphasis will be placed on creating a structured and coordinated tourism model.

This initiative will make religious tourism more organised, accessible and attractive, leading to an increase in tourist arrivals and longer visitor stays in both states.

Decisive Step Toward Investment, Exports and Balanced Development: Organised under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the conclave will present a strong model of regional development by balancing investment attraction, export promotion, employment generation and preservation of cultural heritage.

Through the ‘MP–UP Sahyog Sammelan-2026’, cooperation between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh will gain a stable, practical and result-oriented framework, giving fresh momentum to the economies of both states.

I find myself like a traveller who did not travel far but whose entire geography changed. Varanasi now resides within me – a city which is not a river but time; which is not a place but a feeling; and a year has passed, but my story has just begun. Because I know – here every anniversary is a symbol of new birth and which means – to assimilate one’s own transformation.

Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, this city is immersed in the waves of Ganga as if nature itself has blessed it with immortality by holding it in its palm. The incense spread in the air here, the voices of devotion rising from the ghats, and the light of the lamps flickering in the evening aarti – everything flows like a poem.

The laughter of the avadhoots mixed in the air here, the crooked glances of the Aghoris, and the smell of carefreeness lying in the corners of the streets – everything is a proclamation of an indomitable acceptance. This city lives life in its fullest: no shame, no hesitation, no fear of death. The people here flow like the water of the Ganges – sometimes calm, sometimes turbulent, but always connected to their origins.

Dance of the Ghats

The ghats of Varanasi are the bridge between life and death. The faith of the devotees bathing in the pristine waters of the Ganga at sunrise at Dashashwamedh Ghat, and the desire for salvation amidst the flames of fire at Manikarnika—every aspect of life becomes a philosophy here.

The scene of Ganga Aarti at dusk is a creation where light, sound, and devotion combine to create a cosmic symphony. The flame of the diyas floating on the waves of the river looks as if the stars have decided to touch the earth.

Mathematics of the streets

The narrow streets of the city seem like a manuscript of an ancient saga. At every turn, one finds the shadows of old temples, centuries-old peepal trees, and discussions of sages and hermits sitting at tea shops. The place of worship of Kabir, Tulsi, and Ravidas, this city is an inexhaustible repository of literature and music.

Like Banarasi silk sarees, the culture here is also intricately woven—where the thumri of devotion and the tune of classical music together echo a supernatural melody. The streets of Varanasi are not just made of stones, but of dreams made of clay.

This city, even amidst its spiritual heights, has preserved the rustic simplicity, as if an old mother keeps a coin of childhood hidden in the folds of her dupatta. The town culture here is like that old peepal tree, whose roots are deep in history, but sitting in the shade, tells the stories of the village.

Philosophy beyond time

The glory of Varanasi lies not in its antiquity, but in the “infinity” that pervades every particle here. While the peak of the Vishwanath temple communicates with the sky, the Dhamek Stupa of Sarnath reminds us of the message of Buddha which is a symbol of compassion and peace. This city sees even death as a festival – where the chants of the last journey dissolve into the echo of “Har-Har Mahadev”.

This city lives death like a fair, the people here know that the real roots of life are in chaos – like the flower offered at the Jyotirlinga of Vishwanath, which even after withering floats in the water of the Ganga, similarly the rusticity of this place also becomes immortal by embracing mortality.

Rhythm of life: authenticity and stillness

Time here is measured not by the hands of the clock, but by the shadow of the sun and the evening aarti. This rural innocence of Varanasi is its strength. This city lives away from the glitz of the metropolis, in the fragrance of its soil – where dust flies when slippers are dragged, and the sweetness of relationships is as warm and natural as rotis cooked on the stove.

The town culture here does not flow with time, but allows time to flow with it… like an old boat floating in the flow of the Ganga, which is at peace not about the destination, but about the journey.

Varanasi is a mirror that reflects the eternal consciousness of India. This city is such a confluence of river, history, and spirituality where every moment something is destroyed, something is born – but Kashi never gets destroyed.

This is not a city, it is an “experience”- which by looking beyond time makes a man realize his mortal and eternal being simultaneously.

(The author is an educationist)

Shubhangi Atre reflects, “As someone deeply connected to spirituality and Indian traditions, my visit to Varanasi was profoundly moving. Varanasi is a sacred tapestry of devotion, culture, and ancient wisdom.”

The actress said she had the divine opportunity to offer prayers at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and among the most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sanctity and spiritual energy within the temple left me speechless.

Shubhangi said, “A sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River was another soul-stirring experience. As the mist lifted and the sun painted the sky, the ghats came alive with morning rituals, chants, and the timeless rhythm of life. Witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, where thousands gather to witness the mesmerizing synchrony of devotion, was an ethereal moment.”

Shubhangi said the floating diyas, ancient alleys, and stories embedded in every stone made her realize that Varanasi is not just a city but a living embodiment of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. It’s places like these that inspire us to cherish and protect our legacy, she added.

PM Modi will inaugurate the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital. The hospital will offer comprehensive consultations and treatments for various eye conditions. Prime Minister will also address the gathering on the occasion.

In line with his commitment to boost connectivity, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for expansion of airport runway and construction of a new terminal building and allied works of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi worth around Rs 2870 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone of New Civil Enclave at Agra Airport, at Darbhanga airport and at Bagdogra airport.

PM Modi will inaugurate new terminal buildings of Rewa Airport, Maa Mahamaya Airport, Ambikapur and Sarsawa Airport. The combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to more than 2.3 crore passengers annually. The designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of the region.

In line with his vision to provide top-quality infrastructure for sports, Prime Minister will inaugurate Phases 2 and 3 of redevelopment of Varanasi Sports Complex worth over Rs 210 crore under Khelo India scheme and the Smart City Mission.

The project aims to create a state-of-the-art sports complex featuring a National Centre of Excellence, players’ hostels, sports science centre, practice fields for various sports, indoor shooting ranges, combat sports arenas among others. He will also inaugurate 100-bed girls’ and boys’ hostels and a public pavilion at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, Lalpur.

PM Modi will inaugurate tourism development works of Buddhism related areas in Sarnath.These enhancements include the construction of pedestrian-friendly streets, new sewer lines and upgraded drainage system, organised vending zone with modern designer vending carts to promote local handicraft vendors, among others.

Prime Minister will also inaugurate multiple other initiatives like tourism development works at Banasur Temple and Gurudham Temple, beautification and redevelopment of parks etc.

Civil Judge (Senior Division) Hitesh Agarwal delivered the ruling, affirming the current status of worship activities in the Vyas basement and rejecting the custodian of the basement, the District Magistrate (DM) of Varanasi’s request for repairs. Consequently, the court turned down the Hindu side’s petition, which sought to halt Muslim gatherings and allow for repairs.

The court’s decision followed a review of objections raised by the Muslim side and acknowledged that a related matter is still pending before the Supreme Court. As such, the court opted to maintain the status quo on the issue.

It is worth noting that a petition had been filed by a Hindu organization in January, which sought to secure the right to worship in the Vyasji basement and prohibit Muslim gatherings there; however, this request has now been rejected by the court.

The court’s ruling to uphold the current state of affairs at the Gyanvapi site represents a significant development in this high-profile legal case, ensuring that Muslims can continue their prayer gatherings while denying the Hindu side’s requests for restrictions and repairs.