Shri Vishwanath Mandir
Shri Vishwanath Mandir also known as Vishwanath Mandir, Vishwanath Temple, New Vishwanath Temple and Birla Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples and biggest tourist attractions in the holy city of Varanasi. The temple is situated in Banaras Hindu University and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Shri Vishwanath Mandir has the tallest temple tower in the world with the Shikhara's height being around 250 feet.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The temple is colloquially called VT, an acronym of Vishwanath Temple.[7]
| Shri Vishwanath Mandir | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Varanasi |
| Deity | Lord Shiva |
| Festivals | Mahashivratri Nag Panchami Shravan Navratri Makar Sankranti |
| Location | |
| Location | Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Country | India |
Shown within Varanasi district | |
| Geographic coordinates | BHU 25°15′58″N 82°59′16″E / 25.266034°N 82.987847°ECoordinates: BHU 25°15′58″N 82°59′16″E / 25.266034°N 82.987847°E |
| Architecture | |
| Creator | Birla family |
| Completed | 1966 |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | Seven |
| Elevation | 77 m (253 ft) |
| Website | |
| https://www.bhu.ac.in/VT/ | |
History
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, was destroyed (and reconstructed) several times; in 1194 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, between 1447-1458 by Hussain Shah Sharqi and then in 1669 CE by Aurangzeb. In 1930s, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya planned to replicate Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir in the campus of Benaras Hindu University.[8] The Birla family undertook the construction and foundation was laid in March 1931. The temple (Shri Vishwanath Mandir) was finally completed in 1966.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Construction
Shri Vishwanath Mandir's construction took thirty-five years to complete (1931-1966). The temple is one of the tallest in India. Total height of the temple is approximately 77 meters. Temple's design was inspired by Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and is made mostly of marble.
Though the Shri Vishwanath Mandir is primarily dedicated to Shiva, consists of nine shrines within one temple and is open to people from all castes, religions and religious beliefs. The Shiva shrine is in the ground floor and the Lakshmi Narayan and Durga shrines are on the first floor. Other shrines within Shri Vishwanath Mandir are Nataraj, Parvati, Ganesha, Panchmukhi Mahadev, Hanuman, Saraswati and Nandi. Entire text of Bhagavad Gita and extracts from sacred Hindu scriptures are inscribed with illustrations on the inner marble walls of the temple.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Location
Shri Vishwanath Mandir is situated 1.7 kilometers inside the campus of Benaras Hindu University (South-West from the main gate). It is 3.3 kilometers South-West of Durga Mandir, 7 kilometers South-West of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and 9 kilometers South of Varanasi Railway Station.
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ a b c . Benaras Hindu University website. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ a b c "The temples". Benaras Hindu University website. from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ a b c "Vishwanath Temple". Wikinapia. from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ a b c "New Vishwanath Temple". Varanasi city website. from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ a b c "Birla Temple". varanasi.org.in. from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ a b c . Eastern U.P. Tourism website. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ "Vishwanath Temple (VT) opened in "New Normal"". BHU Express. 23 September 2020. from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
- ^ Karkar, S.C. (2009). The Top Ten Temple Towns of India. Kolkota: Mark Age Publication. p. 12. ISBN 978-81-87952-12-1.