New Vishwanath Temple (BHU)

History

Varanasi’s temples-of-importance page records the BHU temple as Malaviya’s vision realised with Birla patronage — a contemporary Shiva shrine within the university grounds rather than a replacement of the historic Kashi Vishwanath in the old city.

Its open-access ethos made it a landmark of inclusive worship in twentieth-century Varanasi, and it remains a calm alternative to the denser old-city corridor for many visitors.

Stories

A Temple Built in Three Decades

The Shri Vishwanath Mandir, often called the New Vishwanath or Birla Temple, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, founder of Banaras Hindu University, and built by the Birla family. Its foundation was laid in March 1931.

Construction took about three decades; the temple is generally given as completed in the 1960s. Its design was inspired by the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the old city, and its tower rises to roughly 77 metres.

Nine Shrines Open to All

Though mainly dedicated to Shiva, the temple holds nine shrines in one structure. Shiva is on the ground floor, with Lakshmi Narayan and Durga on the first floor, and others for Nataraja, Parvati, Ganesha, Hanuman, Saraswati and Nandi.

It is open to people of all castes and religions. Passages from the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures are inscribed on the marble walls, and the campus temple is a gathering place for students during festivals such as Holi and Janmashtami.

Good to know

BHU campus Birla temple

Planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya

Open to all castes and creeds

Getting there

Nearest airport: Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri). Rail: Varanasi Junction. Local auto or taxi to Banaras Hindu University campus (Lanka / BHU gate approaches).