Best Varanasi’s Ancient Temples A Guide to History and Architecture from Gujarat

Varanasi’s Ancient Temples, Picture this: you’re wandering through the narrow lanes of Varanasi, surrounded by ancient temples at every turn. While most visitors marvel at the city’s famous ghats and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, there’s a hidden architectural treasure that often goes unnoticed—temples built in the distinctive Gujarati style that stand as testaments to centuries of cultural exchange between two of India’s most spiritually significant regions.

Varanasi, the eternal city, isn’t just home to one architectural tradition. It’s a living museum where different styles coexist, each telling its own story. Among these, the temples influenced by Gujarati architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into how migration, trade, and devotion shaped the city’s sacred landscape. These structures aren’t just buildings—they’re frozen moments in history, showcasing the artistic sensibilities and religious devotion of communities that traveled from Gujarat to make Varanasi their spiritual home.

Understanding Varanasi’s Temple Heritage

The Spiritual Significance of Temple Building

In Hindu and Jain traditions, building a temple is considered one of the highest forms of devotion. It’s not just about creating a place of worship—it’s about crafting a bridge between the earthly and divine realms. In Varanasi, where every stone seems saturated with spirituality, temple construction has been an ongoing tradition for millennia.

Gujarati merchants and pilgrims who settled in Varanasi brought with them not just their wealth but also their architectural traditions. They commissioned temples that reflected their religious identity while respecting the sanctity of their adopted city. These structures became community centers, preserving Gujarati language, customs, and religious practices far from their homeland.

Architectural Diversity in the Sacred City

Varanasi’s architectural landscape is remarkably diverse. You’ll find South Indian-style gopurams, Bengali terracotta temples, Maratha-influenced structures, and yes, the elegant Gujarati-style temples. This diversity reflects the city’s historical role as a pilgrimage destination that attracted devotees from across the subcontinent.

What makes Gujarati temples particularly interesting is how they maintain their distinct identity while harmonizing with Varanasi’s overall aesthetic. They stand out without jarring, complementing the city’s architectural symphony rather than disrupting it.

Gujarat’s Architectural Legacy

Distinct Features of Gujarati Temple Design

Gujarati temple architecture is immediately recognizable to those familiar with it. The style emphasizes intricate marble carving, geometric precision, and an almost obsessive attention to detail. Unlike the towering gopurams of South Indian temples or the curvilinear shikharas of North Indian ones, Gujarati temples often feature more restrained exterior profiles but incredibly elaborate interior decoration.

Key characteristics include extensive use of white marble, intricate jali (lattice) work that creates beautiful light-and-shadow effects, symmetrical layouts that reflect cosmic order, and detailed carvings that cover virtually every surface. The proportions tend to be human-scaled rather than monumental, creating intimate spaces for contemplation.

Historical Context of Gujarati Architecture

Gujarat’s architectural traditions evolved over centuries, influenced by Jainism, which dominated the region’s merchant class, and Hindu traditions, particularly those related to Krishna worship. The region’s prosperity from maritime trade provided resources for elaborate temple construction, while Jain emphasis on non-violence and attention to detail influenced the delicate, refined aesthetic.

Master craftsmen in Gujarat developed specialized skills passed down through generations. These sompura and suthar communities (traditional temple architects and stone carvers) carried their knowledge wherever they traveled, including to Varanasi when commissioned to build temples for Gujarati patrons.

The Gujarati-Influenced Temples of Varanasi

Identifying Architectural Markers

How can you identify a Gujarati-influenced temple in Varanasi? Look for these telltale signs: extensive use of white marble rather than the local sandstone, intricate jali work on windows and balustrades, symmetrical floor plans often based on mandala designs, and relatively low-rise construction compared to typical North Indian temples.

The carving style is another giveaway. Gujarati stone carving tends toward extremely fine detail with floral patterns, geometric designs, and in Jain temples, precise depictions of Tirthankaras in meditation poses. The craftsmanship is so refined that you can spend hours examining just a few square feet of surface decoration.

Timeline of Construction and Patronage

Most of Varanasi’s Gujarati-style temples were built between the 17th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with the period when Gujarati merchant communities became increasingly prosperous and well-established in the city. The peak of construction occurred during the 18th and 19th centuries when trade routes were flourishing and wealthy patrons sought to leave lasting monuments to their faith.

Each temple has its own story of patronage—usually a merchant family that had prospered in Varanasi’s textile or banking businesses decided to invest their wealth in creating a sacred space. These weren’t just acts of piety; they were also statements of identity, ways of maintaining connection to their Gujarati roots while establishing themselves in their adopted city.

The Jain Temples: Gujarat’s Most Visible Contribution

Chandra Prabhu Jain Temple

The Chandra Prabhu Jain Temple, located in the Bhelupur area, is one of Varanasi’s most significant Jain temples with strong Gujarati architectural influence. Dedicated to the eighth Tirthankara, this temple showcases the characteristic Gujarati approach to sacred architecture.

The temple complex features a main shrine surrounded by smaller shrines, all constructed in white marble. The intricate carving work depicts scenes from Jain mythology, with each Tirthankara rendered with precise iconographic accuracy. The pillars feature the distinctive twisted-column design popular in Gujarati architecture, while the ceilings display geometric patterns that seem to float above the devotees.

Badi Jain Mandir (Parshvanath Temple)

Located in the heart of the old city, the Badi Jain Mandir is perhaps the most architecturally significant Gujarati-style temple in Varanasi. Built in the early 19th century by a Gujarati merchant family, this temple dedicated to Lord Parshvanath (the 23rd Tirthankara) is a masterpiece of marble craftsmanship.

The temple’s exterior, while relatively modest, gives little indication of the artistic treasures within. Once you step inside, you enter a world of stunning visual complexity. Every surface—walls, pillars, ceilings, floors—is covered with intricate carvings. The quality of workmanship suggests that master craftsmen were brought from Gujarat specifically for this project.

Architectural Details and Symbolism

The symbolism in these Jain temples is dense and multilayered. The central shrine houses the main deity in a specific pose, surrounded by attendant figures and auspicious symbols like the swastika (an ancient Jain symbol representing the four states of existence), the three jewels representing right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, and various geometrical patterns called yantras that represent cosmic principles.

The ceiling designs often feature mandalas—circular patterns representing the universe—executed with mathematical precision. These aren’t merely decorative; they’re meditation aids, designed to draw the eye and mind toward a focal point, facilitating concentration and spiritual contemplation.

Hindu Temples with Gujarati Influence

Temples Built by Gujarati Merchants

While Jain temples represent the most obvious Gujarati architectural presence in Varanasi, several Hindu temples also reflect this influence. Gujarati Hindu merchants, particularly Vaishnavas devoted to Krishna, built several smaller temples throughout the city.

These temples often blend Gujarati design elements with North Indian architectural traditions, creating interesting hybrid structures. You might find a temple with a typical North Indian shikhara (spire) but interiors decorated in Gujarati style, or temples with Gujarati proportions but incorporating local stone and building techniques.

Fusion of Regional Styles

This architectural fusion represents cultural adaptation at its finest. The builders recognized that they were creating structures in a city with its own strong architectural traditions. Rather than imposing a completely foreign style, they found ways to harmonize Gujarati elements with local aesthetics.

The result is temples that feel simultaneously familiar and distinctive—familiar enough to Varanasi residents to be accepted as part of the city’s landscape, yet distinctive enough to mark the presence and identity of the Gujarati community. This architectural diplomacy, if you will, allowed these communities to maintain their cultural identity while integrating into their adopted home.

Architectural Elements: A Comparative Study

Marble Work and Stone Carving

The most striking difference between Gujarati-influenced temples and typical Varanasi temples is the material. While most Varanasi temples use local sandstone or brick covered with plaster, Gujarati temples predominantly feature white marble, often sourced from Rajasthan’s famous quarries.

This choice of material isn’t just aesthetic—marble allows for much finer, more detailed carving than sandstone. The Gujarati craftsmen exploited this property to create incredibly intricate designs. Where a sandstone carver might create bold, deep relief carvings, marble carvers could create delicate, almost lace-like patterns that seem impossibly fragile yet have survived for centuries.

Shikhara Styles and Dome Construction

The shikhara (spire or tower) is perhaps the most distinctive element of any Hindu temple. North Indian shikharas typically follow the Nagara style—tall, curvilinear towers that rise in geometric progression. Gujarati shikharas, while also following the Nagara tradition, tend to be more restrained in height and feature distinctive horizontal banding and more pronounced corbelling.

In Jain temples, the shikhara is often less emphasized, with more attention given to the internal space and decoration. Some Gujarati-influenced temples in Varanasi feature distinctive ribbed domes rather than traditional shikharas, representing a blending of architectural traditions.

Mandapa and Courtyard Designs

The mandapa (pillared hall) is where Gujarati architectural genius truly shines. These spaces are designed to create a sense of sacred geometry—pillars are precisely positioned according to mathematical principles, creating rhythmic patterns as you move through the space.

The courtyards in Gujarati temples are typically surrounded by colonnades, creating sheltered spaces around the central shrine. In Varanasi’s congested old city, where space is at a premium, these courtyard designs had to be adapted. Some temples feature vertical courtyards—multi-storied structures with the sacred space at the center, surrounded by galleries at different levels.

The Role of Gujarati Patrons and Builders

Merchant Families and Their Legacies

Behind every temple stands a story of patronage. Gujarati merchant families who prospered in Varanasi often felt a dual obligation—to the city that had given them prosperity and to their own religious traditions. Building a temple satisfied both.

These families didn’t just commission buildings; they created institutions. Temples came with trusts that ensured their maintenance, funded priests, supported religious education, and provided for community needs. The names of these merchant families—carved into dedication inscriptions—represent a who’s who of Varanasi’s Gujarati commercial elite from centuries past.

Master Craftsmen from Gujarat

For major temple projects, master craftsmen were often brought from Gujarat. These specialists carried with them not just technical skills but also religious knowledge essential for proper temple construction. Traditional temple architecture follows strict scriptural guidelines—the Shilpa Shastras—that specify everything from site selection to proportional relationships between different parts of the structure.

Some of these craftsmen settled in Varanasi, establishing workshops and training local apprentices. This knowledge transfer enriched Varanasi’s architectural tradition, creating a new generation of craftspeople who could work in multiple styles. The influence flowed both ways—Gujarati craftsmen also learned from Varanasi’s traditions, creating further synthesis.

Distinctive Features of Gujarati-Style Temples

Intricate Jali Work and Latticed Windows

If there’s one feature that defines Gujarati temple architecture, it’s jali work—intricate stone lattices that filter light into soft, patterned shadows. These aren’t just decorative elements; they serve practical and symbolic functions.

Practically, jalis provide ventilation while maintaining privacy. In the hot Indian climate, these perforated screens allow air circulation while screening the interior from direct sunlight. Symbolically, the interplay of light and shadow represents the relationship between the material and spiritual worlds—the solid stone represents the material realm while the light filtering through represents divine illumination.

The geometric patterns in jalis are often based on complex mathematical principles. Some designs feature tessellations that showcase advanced understanding of geometry. Others incorporate flowing organic forms—flowers, vines, and leaves—carved with such delicacy that the stone seems to have become living vegetation.

Symmetry and Geometric Precision

Gujarati temple architecture is obsessed with symmetry and proportion. This reflects deeper philosophical concepts—the temple is a model of the cosmos, and cosmic order requires mathematical precision. Floor plans are typically based on mandalas, with the sanctum at the center representing Mount Meru, the cosmic axis.

This geometric precision extends to every level. Columns are spaced at precise intervals, decorative elements are mirrored across axes of symmetry, and proportional relationships follow specific ratios. Modern architects studying these structures are often amazed by the precision achieved using premodern measuring tools and techniques.

Iconography and Religious Symbolism

Tirthankaras and Jain Symbolism

In Jain temples, the iconography is highly standardized yet allows for artistic expression. Each of the 24 Tirthankaras is depicted in specific poses with identifying symbols. The most common depiction shows them in meditation posture—seated in lotus position or standing in kayotsarga (dismissing the body) pose.

The temples in Varanasi feature extensive Tirthankara imagery, often showing all 24 in sequence. These aren’t just devotional images; they’re teaching tools, reminding visitors of the path to liberation that each Tirthankara illuminated. Surrounding these central figures are elaborate borders featuring auspicious symbols—the dharma-chakra (wheel of law), the swastika, lions, elephants, and kalasha (sacred pot).

Hindu Deities in Gujarati Artistic Style

Hindu temples with Gujarati influence depict deities in styles that reflect Gujarat’s artistic traditions. Krishna, particularly popular among Gujarati Vaishnavas, appears frequently, often in episodes from his life story. The artistic style tends toward idealization—perfectly proportioned figures with serene expressions, set against elaborate architectural or natural backgrounds.

What’s interesting in Varanasi’s Gujarati temples is how local iconographic traditions sometimes blend with Gujarati styles. You might find depictions of local legends or manifestations of Shiva (Varanasi’s presiding deity) rendered in Gujarati artistic style, creating unique hybrid imagery that exists nowhere else.

Materials and Construction Techniques

Use of White Marble and Sandstone

The preference for white marble in Gujarati temples represents both aesthetic choice and symbolic meaning. White is associated with purity and knowledge in Indian tradition. For Jains particularly, whose religion emphasizes purity of thought and action, white marble is the ideal material for sacred architecture.

The marble used in Varanasi’s Gujarati temples typically came from quarries in Rajasthan, particularly from Makrana, the same source as the marble used in the Taj Mahal. This marble is prized for its fine grain, which allows for intricate carving, and its durability. Transporting these massive blocks from Rajasthan to Varanasi was a logistical feat, involving river transport and considerable expense.

Some temples combine marble with local sandstone, using marble for the most visible and important elements—the sanctum, main pillars, and decorative carvings—while using sandstone for structural elements and less prominent areas. This pragmatic approach reduced costs while maintaining the desired aesthetic impact.

Traditional Building Methods Preserved

Despite being centuries old, many of these temples were built using techniques that date back thousands of years. Stone blocks were cut and dressed at quarries, then fitted together without mortar using precision jointing. The stones were typically held in place by gravity, interlocking shapes, and metal dowels.

The carving was done both at the quarry (for standard elements like pillars) and on-site (for custom work that needed to fit specific locations). Master carvers worked from pattern books passed down through generations, though they also exercised creative freedom, especially on less prominent elements where they could showcase individual artistry.

A Walking Guide: Must-Visit Temples

Route Through the Old City

For visitors interested in experiencing Varanasi’s Gujarati architectural heritage, here’s a suggested walking route. Start at the Badi Jain Mandir in the old city early in the morning when temples are open for worship and the light is beautiful. Spend time here examining the intricate carvings—bring a flashlight to illuminate details in shadowed areas.

From there, walk toward the Chandra Prabhu Temple, about a twenty-minute walk through the fascinating lanes of old Varanasi. Along the way, you’ll pass numerous smaller temples and shrines, many showing various degrees of Gujarati influence. The walk itself is as much part of the experience as the destinations—the narrow lanes, ancient houses, and glimpses of daily life provide context for understanding how these temples fit into Varanasi’s living culture.

Best Times to Visit

The best time to visit these temples is early morning, around 6-8 AM, when morning prayers are conducted and the temples are at their most active. The light at this time also creates beautiful effects through the jali screens. Many temples close during midday and reopen in the evening around 5 PM.

If you’re interested in photography, early morning and late afternoon provide the best natural light. However, be sensitive to worshippers and always ask permission before photographing inside temples. Some temples prohibit photography in the sanctum, though they may allow it in courtyards and outer halls.

Photography and Visitor Guidelines

When visiting these temples, remember you’re entering active places of worship, not museums. Dress modestly—shoulders and knees covered for both men and women. Remove shoes before entering (sock feet are usually acceptable). Some Jain temples have strict rules about bringing in leather goods, food, or even certain metals.

Photography policies vary by temple. Always ask permission from temple authorities before photographing. If people are praying, avoid positioning yourself where your photography might disturb them. The emphasis should be on respectful observation and appreciation rather than just collecting images.

Conservation Challenges and Efforts

Urban Development Pressures

Varanasi’s old city is under tremendous development pressure. Rising land values, population growth, and tourism infrastructure development all threaten historic structures, including these Gujarati temples. Some temples find themselves hemmed in by modern construction, with their carefully designed light and ventilation systems compromised.

Water infiltration, air pollution, and simple neglect have taken tolls on many structures. The delicate marble carvings are particularly vulnerable to weathering and pollution damage. Some temples have lost decorative elements to theft, while others suffer from insensitive repairs using inappropriate modern materials.

Restoration Initiatives

Fortunately, there’s growing awareness of the importance of preserving this architectural heritage. Several temples have undergone careful restoration using traditional materials and techniques. The challenge is finding craftspeople with the necessary skills—the traditional carving techniques are endangered knowledge, with few young people learning them.

Temple trusts, heritage organizations, and government agencies are increasingly collaborating on conservation efforts. Digital documentation projects are creating detailed records of these structures, ensuring that even if physical deterioration continues, the architectural knowledge they embody will be preserved. Some initiatives are training new generations of craftspeople in traditional techniques, offering hope that future restorations will maintain authenticity.

The Cultural Impact on Varanasi’s Identity

Religious Pluralism in Architecture

Varanasi’s architectural diversity, including its Gujarati-influenced temples, reflects and reinforces the city’s identity as a place of religious pluralism. While famous as a Hindu holy city, Varanasi has always been home to multiple traditions—Jain, Buddhist, Muslim, Sikh—each leaving its architectural signature.

The Gujarati temples demonstrate how different communities can maintain distinct identities while contributing to a shared urban culture. These temples aren’t isolated enclaves; they’re integrated into the urban fabric, accessible to all, and appreciated even by those outside the communities that built them. This architectural pluralism creates a richer, more interesting cityscape than any single tradition could produce.

Tourism and Cultural Exchange

These temples are increasingly recognized as tourist attractions, not just places of worship. This brings both opportunities and challenges. Tourism provides economic incentives for preservation and helps educate visitors about India’s architectural diversity. Many tourists discover aspects of Indian culture through these temples that they wouldn’t encounter otherwise.

However, tourism can also strain these delicate structures and disrupt their function as living religious spaces. Finding the balance between preservation, worship, and tourism is an ongoing challenge. The most successful approaches involve local communities in tourism planning, ensuring that economic benefits flow to those who maintain these cultural treasures.

Comparing Gujarati Temples in Varanasi with Those in Gujarat

Similarities in Design Philosophy

Despite the distance from their homeland, Varanasi’s Gujarati temples maintain remarkable fidelity to architectural principles established in Gujarat. The basic design vocabulary—jali work, marble carving, proportional systems, iconographic conventions—remains consistent. A temple built in Varanasi by Gujarati patrons uses the same design language as contemporary temples in Ahmedabad or Surat.

This consistency reflects the portability of architectural knowledge. When master builders traveled to Varanasi, they brought not just their skills but also pattern books, measurements, and deeply internalized aesthetic principles. The results are temples that could plausibly exist in Gujarat, transported whole to Varanasi.

Adaptations to Local Context

Yet there are adaptations too. The most obvious is the need to work within Varanasi’s dense urban context. Where Gujarat’s temples might sprawl across spacious compounds, Varanasi’s are often built vertically on cramped sites, rising several stories to achieve the necessary space.

Material adaptations are also evident. While maintaining marble for primary elements, builders incorporated local materials where practical. The integration with surrounding architecture required some compromise—the pure symmetry ideal in Gujarat had to accommodate irregular plot boundaries and existing structures. Climate differences between Varanasi and Gujarat also led to modifications in ventilation and drainage systems.

Culturally, these temples had to function in a city dominated by Shiva worship and Hindu pilgrimage. Jain temples in Gujarat typically form parts of larger Jain landscapes. In Varanasi, they exist as Jain islands in a Hindu ocean. This influenced how they relate to their surroundings and how they present themselves to a broader, more diverse audience than they might in Gujarat.

Conclusion

Varanasi’s Gujarati-influenced temples represent far more than architectural curiosities. They’re evidence of how communities maintain identity while adapting to new contexts, how regional traditions contribute to urban diversity, and how architecture can embody both stability and change. Walking through these temples, you’re not just observing stone and marble—you’re experiencing the materialization of faith, commerce, craftsmanship, and community across centuries.

These temples remind us that cities are built through layers of contribution from different communities, each adding their own voice to the urban conversation. The Gujarati temples don’t diminish Varanasi’s Hindu identity; they enrich it, adding depth and complexity to the city’s cultural landscape. They stand as monuments to the possibility of maintaining distinct traditions while participating in shared urban life.

For visitors to Varanasi, seeking out these temples offers rewards beyond architectural appreciation. They provide alternative perspectives on a city often seen only through the lens of its famous ghats and the Vishwanath Temple. They connect Varanasi to broader networks of Indian culture, showing how this city functioned not just as a Hindu holy place but as a commercial and cultural crossroads. And they demonstrate the extraordinary skill and dedication of craftspeople whose work continues to inspire wonder centuries after they laid down their tools.

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