States » EastPosted at: Oct 5 2026 6:38PM


Will set up Paschim Banga Bhavan in Varanasi, revamp temples in Bangali Tola: WB BJP president

Kolkata, Oct 5 (UNI) The BJP in West Bengal has proposed setting up a Paschim Banga Bhavan and cultural centre in Varanasi, offering affordable accommodation to pilgrims and visitors from the state while showcasing Bengal’s literary and cultural heritage, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said on Monday.
The proposal follows Bhattacharya’s recent two-day visit to Varanasi, during which he inspected the proposed site at Bengali Tola and the adjoining property of the Cooch Behar Debottar Trust. He was accompanied by BJP national general secretary Sunil Bansal and officials from the West Bengal Tourism Department and the Varanasi administration.
The proposal assumes added significance as Varanasi is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency. Bhattacharya said he had written to PM Modi seeking support for the project.
“We have taken up a plan to create a cultural centre with facilities for literature and a library. With the cooperation of the Cooch Behar royal family, the West Bengal Information and Cultural Affairs and Tourism departments and the Government of India, a large building will be constructed there,” Bhattacharya said.
He said the proposed facility would not be limited to accommodation but would seek to preserve the longstanding cultural links between Bengal and Varanasi.
“This is not merely about accommodation. We want to create a cultural centre and a library and preserve the history and heritage associated with Bengal’s presence in Kashi,” he said.
Bhattacharya said the project would provide reasonably priced accommodation to pilgrims and visitors from West Bengal visiting Varanasi.
“Bengalis have a very old and deep relationship with Varanasi. A large number of people from West Bengal visit Kashi every year, particularly pilgrims. We want to create a place where they can stay at an affordable cost and also experience Bengal’s culture,” he said.
He said the proposed development would also cater to Bengali families who have lived in Varanasi for generations and continue to use parts of the property for social and religious functions.
“There are people there whose families have been living there for four generations. They continue to use the land for weddings and other ceremonies. We want to develop the area in a beautiful manner and create accommodation and other facilities,” Bhattacharya said.
The proposed complex is linked to the historic Cooch Behar Debottar Trust property in Bengali Tola, which includes old temples associated with the Cooch Behar royal family.
Bhattacharya said the property had considerable historical significance and referred to the role of the Cooch Behar royal family in establishing the Kali temple there.
“The Maharaja of Cooch Behar laid the foundation stone of the Kali temple there in 1844. It was constructed in 1846. There are two Kali temples and six Shiva lingas there,” he said.
Bhattacharya said the heritage site represented the longstanding cultural relationship between Bengal and Varanasi.
“Varanasi and West Bengal have an emotional and cultural bond. A large number of Bengalis live there. Bengali Tola itself bears testimony to this relationship,” he said.
He said the proposed Bhavan would give this relationship a permanent institutional presence while providing practical facilities to visitors from West Bengal.
“We want a place where our people can stay at a reasonable cost, but at the same time it should be a place where Bengal’s literature, culture and heritage can be presented,” Bhattacharya said.
The proposal is currently at the planning stage and would require coordination among the state and Central governments, the Cooch Behar royal family and the custodians of the heritage property.
Bhattacharya said the initiative was aimed at preserving Bengal’s historical presence in Varanasi while strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between the two regions.
UNI SEN RSA
Tags: #Will set up Paschim Banga Bhavan in Varanasi# revamp temples in Bangali Tola: WB BJP president
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