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Bharat Mata Mandir

Overview


The Bharat Mata Mandir is located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus in Varanasi, India. This temple does not have statues of Gods and Goddesses, but has a huge map of undivided India carved in marble. This temple is dedicated to Mother India and claims to be the only one of its kind in the world.


About the Temple


The temple is located on the campus of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith and is 1.5 kilometers south of Varanasi Junction railway station and six kilometers north of Benaras Hindu University. The temple is built on the campus of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith. The Bharat Mata Mandir structure is built of stone. It has a statue of Bharat Mata built of marble, symbolizing undivided India. The temple houses a relief map of India also carved out of marble. The map depicts the mountains, plains and oceans up to scale. It is housed in a pentagonal-shaped temple that stands on 5 distinct pillars, depicting the basic elements of nature that converge at the top, symbolising Supreme Power. This one-of-a-kind construction draws-in a huge crowd who marvel at the brilliance of the inimitable craftsmanship.

Importance of the Bharat Mata Temple

Bharat Mata Temple is a unique, has an attractive and huge map of the Mother India on the ground denoting the statue of mother of India. The statue has inimitable design which indicates the Goddess of India for all the religious deities, freedom fighters and leaders. The temple is a kind of admiration to all those who take part in the formation of India as it was built before the partition of the India.


About the Deity


The statue of the Mother India is made up of the marble and symbolizes all of India, represents mountain, plains and oceans of the India. The Bharat Mata temple does not have a traditional statue of Gods or Goddess but it has a real map of the Mother India.

History of the Bharat Mata Temple

The construction of this temple is credited to Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Shri Durga Prasad Khatri. The former was a nationalist leader and the latter a reputed numismatist and antiquarian. It struck them that Benaras or Kashi (the other two names by which Varanasi is known) is home to many temples and mosques. But there is no such edifice in this cultural capital of the country which would stand as a fine symbol of the spirit of nationalism and secularism. So they hit upon this novel idea of a temple where the country would be worshipped, where there would be no customary Gods and Goddesses and which would have no religious association. The Bharat Mata Temple was constructed and in the year 1936. It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.


Best Time to Visit


Anytime round the year.
Entry Fee

No entry fee.
Visit Duration

Around 30 Minutes.

Accessibility

Air

Varanasi is well-linked to some of the major cities in India like Delhi and Mumbai by air. International tourists can board connecting flights from Delhi airport which is well-connected to all the major cities in the world.

Rail

The Varanasi railway station is connected to major cities of India via rail. From the railway station, tourists can hire a taxi or a cab to explore the city.

Road

Varanasi is connected to major cities of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states by state-run buses. Private air-conditioned buses are also available from nearby cities to Varanasi.


Temple Address


Bharat Mata Mandir,
Cantt, Chetganj, Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh 221002, India.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • Salvation
  • Wealth
  • Relief from diseases
  • Purchase of vehicles
  • Gain Knowledge
Shlokas

Balam Balavatam Caham Kamaragavivarjitam Dharmaviruddho Bhutesu Kamo'smi Bharatarsabha

Meaning -According to this sloka, God is the isolated and aloof strength of the controlling and virtuous craving in men.

Ye Caiva Sattvika Bhava Rajasastamasasca Ye Matta Everti Tanviddhi Na Tvaham Tesu Temayi

Meaning -According to this sloka, though the only source of satva, rajas and tamas (good, obsessive and dark) elements is God, they are not present within the God or the deity.

Tribhirgunamayairbhavairebhih Sarvamidam Jagat Mohitam Nabhijanati Mamebhyah Paramavyayam

Meaning -According to this sloka, the entire world doesn't recognize the eternal God beyond them, because they are consumed by the elements of satva, rajas and tamas (good, obssessive and dark).

Daivi Hyesa Gunamayi Mama Maya Duratyaya Mameva Ye Prapadyante Mayametam Taranti Te

Meaning -According to this sloka, the heavenly maya of God is very complicated, but those who worship God will be able to overcome it.

Timings

The temple is open 6:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 7:00pm.

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