Page 27 - NIS English 16-31 December, 2025

COVER STORY

Cultural Renaissance

themselves fortunate to immerse themselves
in the cultural depth of India and its spiritual
capital, Kashi. This has also given new wings
to the economic progress of Varanasi and the
surrounding region. The transformation of
Redevelopment of City of Shaktipeeth
the Somnath Temple, Mahakal Lok in Ujjain,
Pavagadh in Gujarat Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Jagannath
Temple in Odisha, and the Char Dham has
Pavagadh is a city of spirituality, history, nature, art, and culture. On successfully placed India on the global stage
one hand, it is home to the Shaktipeeth of Goddess Mahakali, and on in cultural and spiritual terms. Ujjain, which
the other, to the heritage of Jain temples. Pavagadh has been a center of has been the centre of Indian history for
religious harmony, reflecting India’s historical diversity. UNESCO has thousands of years, is once again heralding a
listed the archaeological site of Champaner as a World Heritage Site. new era of India’s grandeur. Today, Kedarnath
n On June 18, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also reaching new heights of development.
inaugurated the redeveloped Shri Kalika Mata Temple in By developing the Buddha Circuit, India is
Pavagadh, Panchmahal. The Shikhar Dhwaja was hoisted once again inviting the world to the land of
after five centuries and 75 years of independence. Buddha’s penance. In a true sense, the rich-
n It is one of the oldest temples in the region. ness of cultural heritage has now become the
n The temple has been reconstructed in two phases. The first lifeblood of the nation.
phase was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in April 2022. Additionally, the Sun Temple in Mehsana,
Gujarat, built during the Chalukya period, has
Shared Heritage and Tribal Museums been restored. The government has worked

to revive numerous cultural and spiritual
n To give due recognition to the sacrifices and contributions centres, such as the Tukaram Maharaj Temple
made by tribal people in the country's freedom struggle,
'Museums of Tribal Freedom Fighters' is being established in Pune and the Kalika Mata Temple in Gujarat.
on the instructions of Prime Minister Modi. These centres of faith are not just structures
n The first museum dedicated to tribal freedom fighters is the but are the life force of India, like the lifeblood
Bhagwan Birsa Munda Museum in Ranchi. Ten other tribal of life. They are such powerhouses for us that
museums are being constructed. they keep us alive even in the most difficult
n Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas is dedicated to tribal freedom circumstances. This vision has led to revival
fighters. initiatives with a long-term vision over the
n Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum - Phase 2, New Delhi. past few years.
While Kartarpur Sahib was left on the
n Unveiling of the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose other side of the border at the time of the
on the Kartavya Path and a long-standing demand fulfilled. partition of the country, now the doors of the
Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, Delhi. holy Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib have been
n Kranti Mandir – a museum dedicated to freedom fighters. opened, fulfilling the faith of millions of Sikhs.
n Renovation of the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Complex. In order to defend their religion, the sons of
n National Museum of Indian Cinema, Mumbai. Sri Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of the
n The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is dedicated to former Sikhs, chose to be martyred. To honour those
prime ministers in New Delhi. brave children, Prime Minister Modi declared
n India has acquired 642 antiquities since 2014, compared December 26 Veer Bal Diwas. The recent
to only 13 before 2014. 578 cultural artefacts have been construction and opening of India’s new
brought back to India from the United States since 2016.

December 16-31, 2025 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 25