"India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only." ~ Mark Twain
Most Indians have travelled to Varanasi – the land of renowned Ganga ghats and ceremonious evening aartis – to experience the rich culture that echoes in every corner. But did you know that the city has a temple , Bharat Mata Temple, that stands in honour of our motherland in its own unique way?
Instead of statues of gods and goddesses, the Bharat Mata Temple has a map of undivided India. The makrana marble map lays out the details of mountain ranges and peaks, plains, rivers, oceans among other geographical bodies, all upto scale. One inch of the area in the map covers 6.40 miles on land. There is also a window installed in the basement to view even the difference in the heights of the peaks.
History of the Temple
The temple was constructed by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt, a freedom fighter, between 1918 and 1924 and inaugurated by the Mahatma Gandhi in the year 1936 as a tribute to freedom fighters and everyone who has been a part in making India a land of glory.
Rashtra Kavi Maithili Sharan Gupt, one of the most renowned modern Hindi poets, wrote a poem on the inauguration of the temple which is also put up on a board in the building.
The names of 30 workers and 25 masons who were engaged in construction of the temple are mentioned on the plaque in one corner of the building.
Location of the Temple
The temple is located in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth campus in Varanasi. A 10-minute distance from Varanasi railway station, the temple is precisely at 8 km distance from the BHU, 2 km distance from the Cantt Varanasi and 3 km west to the Godaulia.
When to Visit
The doors of the temple are open to visitors at 9:30 AM and close at 8 PM in the evening. The entry is free for all visitors.
Festivals like Republic Day & Independence are celebrated with great fervour in the temple premises. The visit timings can differ on such days. Please do check before you visit.
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