Banaras Hindu University
काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय
One of Asia's largest residential universities. The New Vishwanath Temple on campus is open to all, and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum houses miniature paintings and ancient sculpture.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was founded in 1916 by the nationalist leader Madan Mohan Malaviya. Its campus covers more than 5 square km in a semicircular layout, making it one of the largest residential universities in Asia. Wide roads and shady trees contrast sharply with the crowded old city. At the centre of the campus, the New Vishwanath Temple (Birla Temple) rises about 77 m. It is one of India's tallest temples, a white marble building with the full text of the Bhagavad Gita carved on its walls. Unlike the Kashi Vishwanath Golden Temple in the old city, it is open to visitors of all faiths and nationalities, and it is peaceful. The Bharat Kala Bhavan museum holds Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings, Banarasi textiles, ancient sculpture and manuscripts in Tagore's hand. It is worth a visit, though it is often closed on Sundays and public holidays. Getting there: an auto-rickshaw from Assi Ghat takes about 10 minutes to the main gate. You can combine it with nearby Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Durga Temple for a half-day outing.
Opening hours
Campus open all day; New Vishwanath Temple approx. 04:00–12:00, 13:00–21:00
Nearby sights
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
- Tulsi Manas Mandir
- Durga Temple (Durga Kund)
- Assi Ghat
- Tulsi Ghat
- Chet Singh Ghat
- Harishchandra Ghat
- Ramnagar Fort