INDIA: Varanasi, the sacred city along the banks of the Ganges River, is set to become the proud host of a world-class international cricket stadium. The stadium’s architectural design promises to pay homage to the city’s rich heritage and Lord Shiva, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.
The visionary project, located in Ganjari, Kashi, has already captured the imaginations of cricket enthusiasts and devotees alike. With construction expected to be completed in just 2.5 years, Varanasi is poised to join the ranks of cities that can host international cricket matches, marking a significant milestone in the region’s sporting history.
Ankit Chatterjee, CEO of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), shared insights into the stadium’s distinctive features, which promise to be truly unique. “The stadium will have a crescent-shaped dome, trident-shaped floodlights, ghat steps-based seating, and Bilva Patra-shaped metallic designs on the facade,” Chatterjee stated.
The design draws inspiration from the crescent that crowns Lord Shiva, and the trident-shaped floodlights will symbolize one of the deity’s most iconic symbols.
This historic endeavor will witness the presence of cricket legends like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, and Sachin Tendulkar, among others, at the groundbreaking ceremony. The event, scheduled to take place on Saturday, will be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the local Member of Parliament, adding an aura of grandeur to the occasion.
Adding to the prestige, officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), including president Roger Binny, secretary Jay Shah, and vice-president Rajeev Shukla, will also be part of the ceremony.
As a poignant gesture, these cricket luminaries and dignitaries will offer prayers to Lord Shiva at the Baba Kashi Vishwanath Temple, symbolizing the harmonious coexistence of tradition and progress.
The stadium, a collaboration between UPCA and BCCI, will occupy a sprawling 30.60-acre piece of land and boast a seating capacity of 30,000 spectators.
The Uttar Pradesh government has already invested ₹121 crore to secure the land, demonstrating their commitment to fostering sporting excellence in the state.
“The UPCA will continue to have a long-term lease on the stadium. Seven pitches, practice nets, lounges, a commentator’s box, a media center, and a sizable hostel will be included in its amenities,” Chatterjee confirmed, underscoring the world-class facilities that will be available to players, spectators, and the media.
Currently, the UPCA lacks its own stadium in the state, relying on the Green Park stadium under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for hosting international matches. However, this transformative project is set to redefine the landscape of sports in Uttar Pradesh.
The construction of the stadium, entrusted to L&T, has already initiated pre-construction activities, including soil testing. The first phase will encompass the development of parking facilities and a practice pitch as part of the grand vision for Varanasi’s cricketing future.
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