The holy city of Benares seems to be teeming with gazillions of temples; in fact there seems to be a temple for any and every excuse and on every street corner and entry of buildings. When I first landed in the city in December 2013, that was my impression, apart from the filth, stench and the crowds. I was amused by its many temples and had a gala time shooting them on my phone.
So when I made a local friend Raji, I instantly peppered her with places to see and things to eat. She promptly asked me if I knew that there is a temple dedicated to the freedom struggle of India is in the holy city of Benares? I thought she was joking but she wasnt.
Another temple!!!! What on earth is with this city? A temple for sun, moon, stars, constellations, galaxies and what not and now this!!!
I made a plan to visit this temple and landed there on 26th Jan 2014. And it was so fitting to be here on Republic day as it was all decked up and a celebration by school children was on in the compound. Flag hoisting, songs of patriotic fervour and children dressed up as figures from our freedom movement flashbacked me to my school days. I was in love with the atmosphere in the temple, the pride and glory was being celebrated with great pomp and show.
This temple was established by the father of our nation and a map of undivided India is the deity that is worshipped here. The map blew me away with its detailing of the mountains, land contours and sea levels – all of it to scale. It seemed to be sculpted out of marble, each nook and corner properly labelled on the map. In fact this map shows India and pakistan as one. There was even water surrounding it to mark the seas and oceans. I was stunned by the creativity and the thought put behind to make this.
The temple was constructed by freedom fighter Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and inaugurated by Gandhiji in 1936.
I was totally blown away by this relic from our nationalistic freedom struggle and wondered why no school text has ever mentioned its existence. Our country is so diverse in its surprises and every region seems to be holding out on such gems. I was very proud to have visited it and never tire of telling people visiting Benares to do go here once.
‘Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else.’ Lawrence Block
Did you know about it? What do you think about it?
Fact File
- Benares lies in the eastern part of India and is known by many names viz Varanasi, Kashi, etc.
- The deity in the temple is a marble relief map and is the only one of its kind in existence in the world
- Its situated on the campus of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth.
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Benares is also on my must visit city list. But a temple to Mother India? That’s truly a first and one temple I’d like to visit. What kind of Puja do they do there? And what bhajans do they sing?
No bhajans n pooja as far as I could see on 26th jan. They raised the flag and sang saare jagan se accha…. It was a goosebumpy day for me!!! 🙂
Omg! I just don’t believe that I don’t know about this temple. I come from Azamgarh, a city just 90 kmsaway and have lived and visited Varanasi so many times. This is just so unique. Maybe this time 🙂 what a great post!
Oh wow. I have been wanting to visit Azamgarh… Visited Benares half a dozen times atleast but just didn’t head out anywhere. I hope you do go and visit this Parul, prob on 26th jan or 15thaug…. 🙂
I was not aware of a temple for Mother India. Thanks to your post I learnt something new today. It should definitely be made more popular and the text books too can have a lesson dedicated to it. It will be wonderful to raise the patriotic feeling among people.
Wow. I never knew that such a temple existed Thanks for sharing Shalini
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Thanks Radhika. I hope it is – such a shame to hide such an amazing relic from our freedom struggle.
Thanks Smita!! I hope more and more peeps come to know about it. 🙂
It’s so beautiful!! I went to Banaras when I was a child.. have a few fond memories of the city then!
Cheers
Thanks Geeta, I have fallen in love with Benares.
That is truly wonderful. I hope someday I will visit Benaras and will surely look this up. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Suzy. I hope you do soonest. 🙂
Some lovely photos. Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter! M is for Marketing Methods as you Build a Better Blog. #AtoZchallenge.
Thanks Shirley. Wish you a very happy Easter too 🙂
Wow…looks so impressive. I’ve never travelled up north at all.
It’s grand n charming Sanchie. I hope you do get to travel n visit!!! 🙂
All of your India posts had me really thinking about the country. I almost sat down to watch “Lion” yesterday but I just couldn’t muster the courage. So sad.
Why sad Carl??? “Lion” – I am not aware of the context for this.
Why sad Carl??? “Lion” – I am not aware of the context for this. And what are your thoughts on India – would love to hear them 🙂
It seems honored. I like that. I think the grandeur pays off. I can’t imagine being wowed by a storefront church as I am by this one.
Yeah Jacqui I had goosebumps when I went there. It’s so patriotic in its ambience. I felt prpud to have visited.
This is an interesting place! Being inaugurated in 1936, pre-independence, I am so curious about how this places came into being. Must have been a daring thing to elevate the idea of independent India into a Goddess and erecting a temple in a monotheistic Empire. Brilliant political move tho!
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers
Thanks Karnika . I tried finding answers to similar questions but haven’t so far. I was just blown away by the sheer thought behind it and how come the British didn’t try to stop it!!!
Mom’s from Beneras, the oldest city in the whole wide world. I’ve been there so many times as a kid but had no idea of one such temple.
You have a knock for finding out of the ordinary stuff don’t you?
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Thanks yaar – I think “things” have a knack for finding me!!! 😉
I just love Benares… Looking forward to the new movie in town featuring this city.
Beneras is filled with temples….Have visited Beneras 3-4 times but never heard of such a temple..Need to put it on my list when i visit it the next time
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15 minutes in your blog and I am already cursing myself for not travelling more frequently!! beautiful photos
OMG Tina – I love you for saying that! Mera AtoZ safal hi gaya re!!! 😉
Thank you darling!!! Its a pleasure to have you stop and grace my comment sheet!!!!
Lucky you shalz! I know my guiding tool will be your blog for sure! I am gonna check your blog first before anything else when I plan my travel. I am sure you would have covered most of the places I want to visit 😀
Wow what a lovely thing to hear about one’s blog- thanks so so much Keerthi!! 🙂