Kashi model comes to Bihar: ₹2,520 crore makeover planned around Vishnupad Temple

Kashi blueprint

Gaya Ji’s Vishnupad Temple is set for a sweeping makeover inspired by the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi. The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, has approved ₹2,520 crore for the temple area, part of a larger ₹3,516.05 crore package.

Temple transformed

The plan goes far beyond renovating Vishnupad Temple. It proposes multilevel parking, an elevated pathway, the Mansarwa Manpur Bridge, ramps, ghats, dormitories, a canteen, pedestrian bridge, statues, PFC Sita Kund and other public amenities, potentially reshaping how pilgrims experience Gaya Ji.

Ritual revival

At the heart of the ₹2,520 crore makeover are traditions that have drawn pilgrims to Gaya Ji for generations. The government says the project is intended to strengthen infrastructure around rituals such as Pind Daan, Tarpan and Pitru Paksha, when the city sees large numbers of devotees.

River lifeline

Alongside Vishnupad Temple, the Bihar Cabinet has cleared ₹996.05 crore for the Sone Phalgu River Linking Project. The plan includes an intake well about 23 km upstream of Indrapuri Barrage and an approximately 11 km pipeline to carry water towards the North Koel Main Canal.

₹3,516 crore  The scale of the Gaya Ji push is striking: ₹2,520 crore for the Vishnupad Temple area and ₹996.05 crore for the Sone Phalgu link. Together, the projects combine pilgrimage infrastructure, bridges, ghats, public facilities and water works in one major development package.