Vice President CP Radhakrishnan's Spiritual Transformation: How Bathing in the Ganga Changed His Life

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan has revealed that a transformative experience in Kashi 25 years ago led him to embrace vegetarianism after bathing in the sacred Ganga river.

On Friday, Radhakrishnan inaugurated a new satram (lodging facility) in Varanasi alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The facility was constructed by the Sri Kasi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram Managing Society.

During the event, the Vice President shared his personal transformation: "When I first came to Kashi 25 years ago, I was a non-vegetarian. After bathing in the Ganga, my life changed significantly, compelling me to adopt vegetarianism."

Radhakrishnan also visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple with CM Adityanath where they offered prayers together.

Speaking about Kashi's remarkable evolution, Radhakrishnan observed, "There is a vast difference between the Kashi of 25 years ago and today's Kashi. This transformation has been possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath."

The Vice President commended the Nagarathar community for their dedication to social service and promotion of Tamil culture. He highlighted their impressive Rs 60 crore contribution for the satram's construction, funded entirely through community donations, describing it as a symbol of faith, resilience, and cross-regional collaboration.

"The Natukottai group's active presence brings together service, religion, and progress. This building embodies that spirit," he added.

Radhakrishnan emphasized that the new facility represents more than just a building—it marks a new chapter in North-South cultural relations, strengthening centuries-old ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, where Tamil scholars, poets, and devotees have historically traveled for knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. The Kashi Tamil Sangamam has further reinforced this connection.

He noted that this institution, established in 1863 to assist Tamil Nadu devotees visiting Kashi, continues its legacy of service to this day.

Referencing the return of the Annapurni Devi idol and events like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, he stated that a spiritual renaissance is underway in Kashi under Modi and Adityanath's leadership.

The Vice President praised the return of Goddess Annapurani Amman Devi's idol to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex. The idol, stolen from Varanasi over a century ago, was returned from Canada in 2021 through the Indian Government's persistent efforts under Modi's leadership.

Radhakrishnan highlighted the facility's eco-friendly features, including 76 solar lamps valued at Rs 1.5 crore, which will generate annual savings of approximately Rs 25 lakh.

After the inauguration ceremony, the Vice President visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple to offer prayers for peace, prosperity, and universal well-being. He also prayed at the Annapurani Amman Devi Mandir located within the temple complex.

In a post on X, Radhakrishnan described the 10-story satram with its 140 rooms as the society's second facility in Varanasi. "It aims to serve visiting devotees and encourage younger generations to visit the holy city. This initiative reflects the age-old spiritual and cultural bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, symbolizing the deep Kashi-Tamil connect in the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India)," his post read.