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Monday, 21st November 2005 (5543 views)

The renowned Kashi Vishwanath temple in India is set for a high-class makeover after the government announced its third dome is to be covered with gold.

The Mid Day has described the authorities' move as an appeasement gesture towards Hindus in the region.

The temple already boasts a scintillating history.

Two of its three domes were covered in gold under the rule of Sikh leader Maharaja Ranjit in 1839, 62 years after it was originally built.

Although the temple has been a point of religious contention down the years, onlookers have described the government's latest attempts to woo the majority community as "non-controversial".

The cost of covering the third dome with the yellow metal is not known, although with gold prices soaring to a 18-year high, the Indian government will be sparing no expense on the refurbishment.

The temple was originally built by then Indore Maharia Ahilyabia, way back in 1977.

Considered to be the holiest shrine in Hinduism, the temple attracts visitors from around the world.

 

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