New Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi | History, Timing & How to Reach
Every devout man’s first choice for experiencing the majesty and might of the great Lord Shiva is the New Vishwanath Temple. In addition to being in the center of Varanasi, India’s cultural capital, the sacred Ganga river that runs alongside it adds to its holiness. Thus, the magnificent New Vishwanath Temple, one of Varanasi’s most popular tourist destinations, is located on Banaras Hindu University. When a worshipper visits this temple, he has the opportunity to surrender himself to God, be at his mercy, and hear the voice in his heart.
The temple’s serene atmosphere aids in forgetting the stresses of everyday life. One is compelled to submit to the Almighty’s tender touch by the pleasant vibes in the air. Vishweshwara, the well-known Jyotirlinga of Shiva, is thought to possess limitless strength. This Jyotirlinga can purify our souls and lead us to the real path of devotion and knowledge with only one look.
Despite being primarily a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, this stunning temple encourages people of all faiths to enjoy its magnificence and uses symbolism to convey Hinduism’s concepts and values. It is made up of nine separate temples. Every aspect of the Hindu universe—good, evil, and human—is represented in the New Vishwanath Temple, suggesting the vital role that Dharma, Kama, Artha, Moksa, and Karma play in our lives.
History of New Vishwanath Temple
Several Mughal monarchs at the time damaged Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir several times before rebuilding it. As a result, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya made the decision to duplicate this temple on the Banaras Hindu University campus. In 1931, the Birla family lay the groundwork and kindly took on the monumental task of rebuilding the massive temple. In 1966, after 35 arduous but productive years, it was eventually declared complete.
Architecture of New Vishwanath Temple
Dense trees line the path to the temple of New Vishwanath, making for a lovely sight. Uninterrupted views of the magnificent historical architecture can be seen during the way to the temple. The balconies, pavilions, and spires are only a few of the exquisitely designed elements of the beautiful temple. There are numerous sculptures of different animals scattered across the temple grounds, including lions, crocodiles, and bulls.
The tall and powerful pillars welcome the devotees into the magnificent and exquisitely designed hall. Standing 77 meters tall, this magnificent temple is primarily composed of lambent marble. Shikhara, its tallest tower, is a sight to behold and the tallest in the world. The marble walls are meticulously carved with the complete Holy Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures. Everyone is in awe of the magnificence of old art when they see illustrations of the Holy Scriptures engraved on the walls.
The idol of Lord Shiva rests on the upper floor and glistens in a marble room. Since the temple is situated amongst lush green gardens and perfectly manicured lawns, the verandah on the upper floor offers a beautiful view of these open spaces.
New Vishwanath Temple Timings
For Mangala Aarti, the Vishwanath temple opens early each day at 2:30 AM. Ticket holders can enter between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM, and general Darshan is accessible from 4:00 AM until 11:00 AM.
At 11:30 AM, the midday Bhog Aarti begins, and it lasts till 12:30 PM. Darshan is available to general devotees at any time between 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
For Sapta Rishi Aarati, which begins at 7:00 PM and finishes at 8:30 PM, Darshan is then closed. It reopens at 9:00 PM.
Darshan is only accessible from the outside when the Shringar/Bhog Aarati begins at precisely 9:00 PM.
Shayana Aarti starts at 10:30 PM and the temple is then closed at the strike of 11:00 PM.
How To Reach New Vishwanath Temple, BHU
The 77-meter tower stands out among the expansive Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus. The BHU is a 45-minute commute from Varanasi City Railway Station, which is about 15 km to the north. The BHU Bus Stop, which is closest to the university, is served by buses that go frequently between various locations in the city. The Benaras Hindu University is also accessible via a number of motor rickshaws and taxis.
Tips For Visiting New Vishwanath Temple, BHU
1. In the temple, the festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated with a flurry of lights and diyas along the Ganga river. However, the queues to enter the temple are abnormally lengthy and can take several hours because this is a very popular time for devotees to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
2. You must take off your shoes at the temple’s entrance, and once you’re inside, the floor can feel really cold. Your experience can be considerably more comfortable if you wear socks.
3. For just INR 25, a cold coffee shop located directly outside the temple’s entrance offers cold coffee accompanied by a generous portion of vanilla ice cream. It is very renowned in the area and is definitely worth a try! Also delicious is the bhel puri stand outside the main door.
4. By 11:00 PM, all restaurants on and around the BHU campus close. Before then, make sure you get something to eat!
Timings: 4:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Time Required : 1-2 hrs
Entry Fee : No entry fee
