Fact Check: Video of Gujarat's Somnath temple passed off as newly-renovated Kashi Vishwanath temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath corridor on 13 December. The chief executive officer of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath
By Newsmeter Network Published on 23 Nov 2021 6:15 PM IST
Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath corridor on 13 December. The chief executive officer of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Special Area Development Board said the finishing touches are being given to the corridor and it will be ready by the second week of December. (Source: Hindustan Times)
Amidst this, a video of a temple illuminated by lights is circulating on social media with the claim that it shows the first glimpse of Kashi Vishwanath temple after renovation. Netizens are sharing the video with the caption, "Kashi Sri Viswanatha temple. The first glimpse after renovation."
Fact Check
The claim that the video shows the first glimpse of Kashi Vishwanath temple after renovation is false.
NewsMeter performed a reverse image search and found the same video on an Instagram page uploaded in March 2021. This indicates that the video is old. The post also identified the temple as Somnath temple in Gujarat.
Taking a cue from this, we searched for reports about the temple and found that Times of India and Bharat Times English News had carried photos of the same temple and identified it as Gujarat's Somanth temple. The reports were about the Diwali celebrations at the temple.
A comparison between the viral video and a video of Somnath temple uploaded on the temple's official Twitter and Facebook pages confirmed that the viral video is of Somnath temple.
Clearly, a video of the Somnath temple in Gujarat is being passed off as the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
According to recent reports by Hindustan Times, The Print, and Deccan Herald, 24 buildings, including a cafeteria, food court, library, gallery, tourist centre, and a multi-purpose hall, have been constructed along the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. Finishing touches are being given to the corridor for its inauguration on 13 December.
However, the video circulating on social media does not show the renovated Kashi Vishwanath temple. It is the Somnath temple in Gujarat. Thus, the claim is false.
