Uttar Pradesh Unveils Iconic Varanasi Cricket Stadium Inspired by Lord Shiva

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the progress of Varanasi's international cricket stadium, inspired by Lord Shiva. It will be the state's third such venue, following Kanpur and Lucknow, and is expected to host international matches, enhancing the region's sporting infrastructure with a significant financial investment.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an inspection of the under-construction international cricket stadium in Varanasi on Wednesday, marking it as a future sporting landmark in the state. This will be Uttar Pradesh's third international cricket venue, alongside those in Kanpur and Lucknow. The foundation stone for the stadium was laid in 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a grand ceremony attended by several prominent figures from the cricketing community, including BCCI President Roger Binny and legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and Ravi Shastri.

The stadium's design is uniquely inspired by Lord Shiva, featuring crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-shaped floodlights, and a seating arrangement inspired by the ghats. Bilvipatra-shaped metallic sheets adorn the facade. Significant investments have been made, with the Uttar Pradesh government allocating Rs 121 crore for land acquisition and the BCCI contributing an additional Rs 330 crore for construction efforts. Once completed, the stadium will accommodate over 30,000 spectators, establishing it as a leading cricket venue in northern India.

Anticipated to boost cricketing activities and sports infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, this venue could host a variety of international and domestic matches. Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vigilant supervision, the project is poised to blend India's cultural heritage with modern sports facilities, creating a world-class stadium that enriches the nation's cricketing scene.

(With inputs from agencies.)