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PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone for Lord Shiva-Themed Varanasi Stadium
By CricShots - Sep 23, 2023 1:32 pm
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the construction of a Lord Shiva-themed cricket stadium in Varanasi on September 23. The stadium, set to be built on land worth Rs 121 crore, is projected to cost around INR 330 crore. With a seating capacity of nearly 30,000 people, this stadium will feature distinctive design elements, including a crescent-shaped roof cover, trident-shaped floodlights, and structures resembling bel leaves and a damru.

Varanasi stadium
Varanasi cricket stadium

The architectural design aims to capture the essence of Kashi, with the spectator gallery resembling the steps of the ghats of Varanasi. The stadium is expected to be completed by December 2025.Legendary Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, and Dilip Vengsarkar attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the international cricket stadium in Varanasi.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the event. The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, has spent INR 121 crores on land acquisition for the construction of the International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi.

 

Additionally, the BCCI will invest Rs 330 crores in the stadium’s construction. Ravi Shastri expressed his excitement for the event on social media, saying, “Varanasi bound. Great to be amongst Greats and colleagues for Mumbai and India. Just a few international runs and wickets there. Pic of a lifetime. Gr8 memories.”

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The stadium’s thematic architecture is inspired by Lord Shiva, featuring designs such as crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-shaped floodlights, seating resembling ghat steps, and Bilvipatra-shaped metallic sheets on the facade. It will accommodate 30,000 spectators.

Prominent figures from the BCCI, including President Roger Binny, Vice President Rajiv Shukla, and Secretary Jay Shah, attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony. This event marks the third international cricket stadium in Uttar Pradesh, following Kanpur and Lucknow.