Ranaut, accompanied by a security detail of nine personnel, visited small shops on foot and purchased items including a Shivling for worship. She stopped at the popular Deena Chaat Bhandar, where she sampled tikiya chole and signed the shop’s visitor book, noting “Super Chaat Tikka.” Local shopkeepers said she enjoyed two plates of the signature dish before having kulhad tea.
At the Kal Bhairav temple, considered the kotwal of Kashi, Ranaut stood in line with other devotees without any special arrangements. She performed rituals using materials she bought herself and prayed for peace in Kashi and prosperity for the country. “Every street and temple here emanates a unique spiritual power,” she said, calling her visit an experience of “inner peace and meditation.”
During the visit, Ranaut was asked about reports of veteran actor Dharmendra’s death. She paused to verify the news and offered condolences, calling him “a very popular artist” and praying for his soul.
Ranaut also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his global popularity reflected the blessings of Baba Vishwanath and the Ganga. Commenting on recent political remarks around religious sites, she said all faiths should be respected but insisted that temples must be preserved where they historically existed.
The MP is expected to attend the Ganga Aarti in the evening after continuing her tour of the ghats and sampling more of Kashi’s street food.
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