Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 16 

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday described the contributions of Ahilyabai Holkar, Raghunath Rao and Malhar Rao Holkar as extraordinary while addressing a cultural event in Srinagar.

LG Sinha was speaking at the ninth edition of the Maati Samman Samaroh, a festival celebrating the art, culture, cuisine and tourism traditions of Purvanchal.

During the event, he felicitated several distinguished personalities associated with the Purvanchal region.

Addressing the gathering, the LG said historical, cultural and spiritual ties between Purvanchal and Maharashtra ran deep and had been strengthened over centuries through shared traditions and pilgrimage routes.

He referred to religious sites including Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Trimbakeshwar Temple while discussing the spiritual links between the two regions.

“Purvanchal is not just a region on the map but a consciousness,” LG Sinha said, describing it as a symbol of spirituality, devotion, culture and intellectual heritage.

He said Ahilyabai Holkar played a major role in restoring temples and ghats in Varanasi during a period of historical upheaval.

The LG said structures including Manikarnika Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat and parts of the Kashi Vishwanath temple complex were developed or restored under her patronage.

He also referred to contributions made by saints and social reformers including Sant Tukaram, Sant Kabir, Sant Ravidas and Tulsidas, saying they helped awaken social consciousness and guide society.

LG Sinha highlighted the broader cultural and intellectual legacy of Purvanchal, citing contributions in literature, music, spirituality and India’s independence movement.

Among those mentioned by him were Munshi Premchand, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Ravi Shankar, Bismillah Khan and Birju Maharaj.

The LG also said migrant workers from Purvanchal had contributed significantly to economic development in states including Maharashtra and had carried Indian culture to countries such as Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad, Suriname and Guyana.

He urged younger generations to remain connected to their cultural roots and traditions, saying a nation that understood its heritage would remain resilient and forward-looking.