Bharat Mata Temple

Bharat Mata Temple, which is also known as the Temple of Mother India, was the first landmark we visited in Varanasi. It is quite unusual and cool, there is not much to beat it in Varanasi. This temple was built in 1918 and its main attraction is a huge white marble map where you can see the Indian subcontinent in relief. It is from this that you realize how big and diverse India actually is. Apart from the giant map on the floor, Bharat Mata has little more to offer. The only other notable thing is a fresco with the mythological figure of Mother India. This place is meant to represent the unity of all religions and cultures living in this great country.

The Indian Temple of the Mother leaves no one indifferent. It's built in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, which was constucted by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt. This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 so that citizens could pay respect to their Mother India in statue form. The marble statue sits on the floor with pinpoint accuracy of the geography of the country states. The statue is a complete replica of India in three dimensions that has the mountains, plains and oceans properly scaled. It's impressive to see the Himalayas, where the Ganges are born, with perfectly formed peaks. You could spend hours there observing the breadth of the country and the wealth of the landscapes, valleys, and rivers.