Malviya Bridge is a steel truss bridge located in Varanasi, India. It spans the River Ganges and is one of the key connections between the city’s main tourist and residential areas, including the Ghats and the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Built-in the early 20th century, the bridge has a significant historical and cultural significance in the city and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.

The bridge was earlier named after Lord Dufferin, who was the Governor-General of India during the British Raj. It was officially opened in 1887 and was one of the first permanent bridges to cross the Ganges in Varanasi. The bridge is approximately 1,200 feet long and 20 feet wide and has the capacity to accommodate a large number of pedestrians, rickshaws, and small vehicles. It is also equipped with streetlights and railings, making it safer and easier to traverse.

In recent years, Dufferin Bridge has undergone several renovations and upgrades to ensure its safety and functionality. The bridge took its current shape in 1947 when new girders were added, which also marked the bridge’s renaming as Malviya Bridge. Despite this, it still retains its original design and structure, making it a unique and iconic landmark in the city. The bridge is also a popular spot for locals and tourists to gather, particularly during the evening when the city lights up and the river is illuminated.

In addition to its historical and cultural significance, Dufferin Bridge has also been featured in several Bollywood movies over the years, including “Lamhe,” “Banaras,” “Mirzapur,” “Masaan,” and “Bhojpuriya Raja.” These movies have further increased the popularity of the bridge and have helped to establish it as a key attraction in Varanasi.

Overall, Malviya Bridge offers breathtaking views of the river, temples, and Ghats, and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, a visit to Dufferin Bridge is a must to experience the essence of Varanasi’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance.

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Man Singh Observatory is a masonry observatory situated in the Man Mandir Ghat(or Someshwar Ghat). It is one of the five existing observatories in India. Also, one of the last constructions of the ‘Astronomical Stone Age’. It was originally constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh(Man Singh), the King of Jaipur in 1710. While the Mahal was built in the 16th Century, it was restored in 1911.

The infrastructure is a mixture of Rajput(Rajasthani) and Mughal architectural styles. The eastern façade of the building faces the river Ganga. Previously working as an information center, this edifice has been digitalized and it now functions as a specialized museum by the government in 2019. It consists of audiovisuals, interactive art, music, 3D show, light show, etc. The construction of a virtual museum is complete by now. This place comes under Indian Archaeological Department. With an entry fee of just 25 INR, it gives you a virtual tour of Varanasi, its lifestyle, culture, and architecture.

The Brilliance of Ancient Indian Astronomers

The brilliance and accuracy of the ancient Indian astronomers is perfectly reflected in this observatory. The observatory is situated on the rooftop of the 300-year old Man Mahal(Palace) or Man Singh Vedshala. Some of the spectacular instruments of this place are:

• Samrat Yantra– For finding time and declination and hour angle of the heavenly bodies.
• Narivalaya Dakshinay Yantra– The use of this instrument is to know whether the heavenly bodies are in the northern or southern hemisphere; also gives time.
• Chakra Yantra– For measuring the declination of the sun, moon, and stars and their distance in time(hour angle) from the meridian.
• Digamsa Yantra– The azimuth of the heavenly bodies is known by this instrument.
• Dakshinobhitti Yantra– The altitude of the heavenly bodies when on the meridian is known by this instrument.

How to reach Man Singh Observatory?

The observatory is 4.2 km from Varanasi Junction Railway Station. You can either walk from Godowlia Chauraha towards Man Singh Ghat or directly walk up the stairs of Man Singh Ghat after crossing Dashashwamedh Ghat(if you’re approaching through ghats).

Nearby places

• Dashashwamedh Ghat
• Kashi Vishwanath Mandir
• Kashiraj Kali Temple
• Nepali Temple

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Sivali Vietnamese Buddhist Temple is located in Sarnath village near Varanasi. The temple boasts a 70 feet tall giant statue of meditating Buddha along with Ashoka and a couple of other statues. Due to its color, it is locally called “Gulabi Mandir” Pink Temple. The distance from the main campus of Sarnath keeps it quiet and peaceful throughout the year.

The temple also has a one-pillar Pagoda, a Vietnamese-style architecture with a bell on top. There’s also a small guest house for Vietnamese monks and a prayer room right next to it. The monk who built the temple lives on the premises and takes care of it. Let’s take a look at the story behind this beautiful man-made marvel.

History of Sivali Vietnamese Temple

Sivali Vietnamese Temple was built by a Vietnamese monk, Doan Lam Tan in 2014. Doan was living a normal life in Vietnam until one day a monk offered him a unique job. He was asked to build a temple of Buddha at the salary of $1 per month but since $1 wasn’t enough to sustain so he denied the job. Saying no to a monk left Doan in a weird restlessness and he spent the next few days in remorse.

One night the monk came into Doan’s dream and told him that he hasn’t fulfilled the purpose for his birth and that’s why he’s stuck in the cycle of life. The voice also told him to go to India and build the temple. This dream left a great impact on Doan and he started planning to move to India.

In his quest to visit the Land of Buddha Doan sold his property, car and bought a ticket to India. After reaching Sarnath he met the monk who took him to a barren piece of land in Sarnath. The monk instructed Doan to build a beautiful temple of Buddha if he wishes to be free from the cycle of birth.

He spent the next two years arranging the funds for the Sivali Vietnamese Buddhist Temple. Doan made multiple visits to Vietnam and spoke to businessmen, government officials, local monks, and Buddhist communities. He was able to secure the funds by crowdsourcing and the foundation stone of the temple was laid on 6 December 2009 eventually.

The construction work continued for the next 5 years under the supervision of Doan and that’s how the Sivali Vietnamese Buddhist Temple came into existence.

The monk who sold his Ferrari

If you will visit the temple today you will be greeted by Doan. He is generally busy gardening or cleaning the premises but when he’s free he’s generous enough to give visitors a tour of the temple. He will even guide you on the best spots and angles to click a picture of the statue.

We were lucky enough to be accompanied by the Doan multiple times and he even took us inside the guest house. Doan barely understands Hindi and but speaks English enough to communicate.

The temple is an amazing piece of work but the Doan himself is a living example of what a human can achieve if he decides to. Doan hardly owns anything in name of assets and lives a simple life. He is greatly revered by the locals due to his struggle, devotion, and sacrifice to set up the temple. He is indeed a real-life version of Robin Sharma’s book Monk Who Sold Ferrari.

If you’re visiting Sarnath we’d request you to please visit the Sivali Vietnamese Buddhist Temple and meet Doan. He doesn’t speak much but his aura is enough to inspire anyone to works towards their purpose of life.

P.S: We tried to ask him for a picture but he was too modest and shy to get it clicked. Maybe some other day or if you manage to click his pictures then do share with us on instagram by using #VaranasiGuru Hashtag!

How to reach Sivali Vietnamese Buddhist Temple

The Sivali Vietnamese Buddhist temple or the pink temple is located 12KM away from Varanasi and 2KM away from Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath. It is well connected to all the Railway stations, Airport and the bus stand via road. You can reach here by shared auto-rickshaw, car, or bike.

Nearby Places

• Korean Monastery
• Turtle breeding center
• Horinji Temple

Also checkout the offbeat places to visit in Sarnath.

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Varanasi is a spiritual capital for those who seek peace and a mecca for those who seek frames. Varanasi has always been a favorite city of photographers due to its amazing architecture and culture.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane and see some of the oldest and rare pictures of Varanasi clicked by Photographers back in time.

1.Royal Elephant of Kashi Naresh

The king of state Benaras(Varanasi) lived a lavish life and his fort still stands as a piece of evidence. In the above picture, you can see one of the elephants from his royal fleet. The “Howdah” which can be seen above the elephant is still up for display in the museum at the Ramnagar fort.

2. Pontoon Bridge of Raj Ghat

Do you find something missing in the above picture?

The famous Malviya bridge which is today visible from all the ghats of Varanasi was built in 1887. Before that, a makeshift pontoon bridge of boats was in use. This image was clicked from the dome of the Alamgir Mosque before the bridge was built.

3. Well of Knowledge

Gyanvapi Well, also known as Well of knowledge is located inside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi. It’s a highly sacred and heavily guarded place and only Hindus are allowed to be around it.

The fact that most of the travelers from other countries will never be able to see it makes this picture a rare one.

4. Minarets of Alamgir Mosque

The Alamgir Mosque is one of the most prominent features of Panchganga Ghat and is visible from far ends. This structure used to look colossal with its 2 sky-kissing minarets. One minaret collapsed killing many and the other one was brought down by the Government for safety reasons.

5. Durga Kund & Temple

The famous Durga Kund of Durga temple wasn’t always barricaded. It sure looks beautiful today but sitting and soaking the sun in winter at the steps of the reservoir would have been a different feeling at that time.

6. Lalita Ghat and Sailboats

It was the time when waterways used to be one of the main modes of transportation. It was a normal sight to see boats sailing through the Ganges carrying travelers and supplies.

Good old days without noisy diesel boats!

7. Man Singh Ghat

Clicked in 1890 this frame shows how the landscape of Ghats has changed within a century. The Mann Mandir(on the right) is restored and is in better condition today. The empty space on the left of Mann Mandir is converted to Rajendra Prasad Ghat.

8. Cremation Ground of Manikarnika Ghat

This picture shows how drastically the cremation ground has changed. The Manikarnika Ghat today boosts pucca ground and shops around it. The steps are restored and well-maintained.

9. Handpainted Boats at Scindia Ghat

On the bottom left of the picture, one can spot a hand-painted double-haul boat. These were hired by aristocrats and were pretty common at that time. Today all we see are diesel boats with ugly branding of telecom companies.

10. Sadhu on Bed on Nails

It might seem like a scene from a circus today but it was a common sight at the ghats of  Varanasi. Earlier Sadhus and Aghoris used to attract travelers with such tricks.

Later it was found that the bed of nails is really helpful for people who suffer from back pain and it became a hot-selling product in the Western world.

11. Snake Charmers

This picture justifies why the Western world decided to call us the land of snake charmers.

Snake Charming is an illegal trade now but you can still spot a lot of them in the streets on Shiv Ratri Festival.

12. Class of 19th Century

When you look at the above picture it makes you realize that schools have changed a lot. That’s for our good because it would have been tough to cheat with the teacher holding the higher ground in class.

13. Ratneshwar Mahadev, Leaning Temple

Did you notice the difference in the tilt of this temple?

This picture was captured in the 19th century. The speed at which the structure is tilting should have rung a bell for authorities but strangely it seems like no one cares. Also, if you look closely then you can also notice people worshiping the Shivling inside the Ratneshwar temple.

14. Sarnath Excavation

The above picture was clicked in 1905 at the initial stage of excavation in Sarnath. One can spot the parts of the Ashoka pillar in the picture. Today you can see this piece of marvel everywhere from the Museum of Sarnath to the money you carry in your wallet.

15. Alligators at the Ghats

It looks like soaking your feet in the Ganges wasn’t really a great idea in the early 19th century. It’s still not a good idea due to polluted water but at least you won’t lose a leg if you do so!

That’s all for today folks! Tell us about your favorite picture in the comments below. Also, do not forget to check out the Offbeat places in Varanasi if you’re planning to visit soon.

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Located on the Panchganga Ghat, Alamgir mosque is one of the most picturesque locations in Varanasi. The mysterious architecture towering right above the Panchganga Ghat has attracted the attention of millions since the 17th century. It’s rustic look and gigantic domes stand out against all the contemporary architectures developed around it.

Known by the name of Beni Madhav Ka Darera or Aurangzeb’s Mosque this architecture holds significant importance in the books of history. Alamgir mosque is located at the place where once stood a temple of Lord Vishnu( Beni Madhav Ka Darera). The French merchant Jean Baptiste Tavernier who made many voyages to India was awestruck by the beauty of the temple. He mentioned the temple as “the great pagoda” in his travel account.

In 1663 Aurangzeb captured the Varanasi and demolished the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1669. Bindu Madhav Temple was also destroyed in 1673 and Aurangzeb built the Alamgir mosque on the ruins of the temple.

The foundation of the temple was used for the construction of the mosque which is also believed to be as deep as the height of it. Aurangzeb also added 2 minarets and 3 domes to give the structure a striking look. Each minaret was 163 feet long and was equipped with a staircase and a balcony.

However, the minarets couldn’t withstand the test of time and in the 19th century, an English scholar James Prinsep had to restore them. In 1948 one of the minarets collapsed killing a few people around the time of the floods. Later the govt pulled down the other minaret due to  security reasons.

Today, the Alamgir mosque stands atop the Panchganga Ghat. Its eye-catching minarets are gone but it still manages to steal the charm. The long narrow stairway next to Shri math leads to the mosque. The climb is exhausting but the view and feelings after reaching there are definitely worth every step.

Upon entering the vicinity you will confront the glorious structure with a tree on your right side and a small pond with a fountain in front of you. The pond has emerald green water and one can often spot pigeons bathing and drinking water from it. Move toward the left side and you will spot a small stair descending to the balcony. The view from here is often compared to the marine drive of Mumbai.

Most of the traveller only watch it from a distance while they are riding the boat. We request you to get down at Panchgange ghat and take a climb. We bet you will love the sunrise/sunset from here!

How to Reach Alamgir Mosque

The Alamgir Mosque is located on Panchganga Ghat. The best way to reach Alamagir Mosque is by walking through the ghats. One can walk towards the Panchganga from Manikarnika Ghat or can take a boat from any ghat to the Panchganga Ghat.

What to See/Nearby Places

• Shri Math
• New Bindu Madhav temple
• Shri Trailanga Swami Math

Nearby Ghats

Mangla Gori Ghat, Bindu Madhava Ghat

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While Varanasi is famous for its ghats and streets the city is also a treasure chest filled with beautiful monuments. One such place is the Tomb of Lal Khan which is classified as a Muslim monument. Built in 1773 the tomb of Lal Khan is located near the Malviya bridge right on the backside of Khirkiya Ghat.

The tomb is located inside the dismantled old Raj Ghat fort and remains hidden from public sight. The location and elevation of the tomb make it impossible to be spotted from the ghats and as a result, not many people visit this place.

On the left side is an excavated site of ASI. These are the remains of an ancient settlement that dates back to the first to third century AD. These remains were discovered by a contractor who was digging the area for the remapping of nearby Kashi railway station. The further excavation was carried out by a team of archaeologists from Bharat Hindu University.

The tomb looks magnificent with the backdrop of the glittering Ganges and Malviya bridge. There are 4 graves around the main tomb, probably belonging to the Lal Khan family. The principal mausoleum boasts stunning stonework and the Mughal influence can be seen in its architecture, stonework, and dome.

Once you enter the gate of the monument you are welcomed by the well-maintained green lawn and the chirping birds. As you walk in the noise of the road fades away and the tranquillity drops in.

If you’re looking for a quiet place to sit along with your friends on a fine evening then head over to this place without a second thought. The site is very well maintained and there is an entry fee of INR 25 per person.

How to Reach Tomb of Lal Khan

The tomb of Lal Khan is located near Malviya Bridge and Raj Ghat. It is well connected to all the Railway stations, Airport and the bus stand via road. You can reach here by shared auto-rickshaws/Tuk-Tuks available throughout the city. One can also take a boat ride from any ghat to the Raj Ghat.

What to See/Nearby Places

• ASI excavation site
• Adi Keshav Temple
• Malviya Bridge
• Confluence of Varuna and Ganges

Nearby Ghats

Raj Ghat, Khidkiya Ghat

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Every year more than 300 hundred thousand people visit Varanasi from all over the world. Before they come they often search for what to see and explore in the city. With so many blogs, videos, and websites talking about the mainstream locations, we decided to list some of the best offbeat places to visit in Varanasi. We have also added their location maps so you don’t have to struggle around for any other info.

1. Pink Temple, Sarnath

Sivali Vietnamese Buddha Temple or the pink temple is a new edition to the Sarnath. It is home to a massive idol of Buddha which is often described as the most beautiful Buddha idol in India. The temple is located off the main Sarnath campus and not many people know about this place.

The monk who built this temple saw a dream and sold his entire property to start the construction. Even today he lives here and feeds poor kids every evening.

Google Maps location

2. Chinese Temple, Sarnath

The Chinese Monastery or the Chinese Buddhist temple is located near Sarnath chowk in Varanasi. It was founded in 1939 by Yut-Le-Yun, A Chinese monk, and scholar who migrated here in order to seek peace. Temple has a very beautiful architecture much of which was added later in 1958.

Upon entering the vicinity you will be greeted by the astonishing Chinese design and the lush green lawns which have Indian emblems standing on the bright yellow platforms. The temple is painted in classic Tibetian colors and the red Chinese lamps stand up to the aesthetics. Even after being so easily accessible It remains peaceful all year round and is one of the most beautiful offbeat places to visit in Varanasi.

Google Maps location

3. Korean Temple, Sarnath

The Korean temple/Monastery is located close to the Pink temple in Sarnath. It was built in 1995 to provide shelter to the Korean pilgrims. The temple has beautiful lawns and a Korean style stupa which looks quite different from the regular stupas we see everywhere.

Just a few steps away is a monument of friendship which marks the silk route friendship of India & Korea. The main temple has a nice praying hall with statues portraying the first sermon of Lord Buddha.

Google Maps location 

4. Tomb of Lal Khan, Rajghat

The tomb of Lal Khan is located near Malviya bridge, Raj Ghat. It’s a mausoleum of a Mughal Nobel located inside the dismantled Raj ghat fort. The complex also contains newly excavated remains of an ancient settlement that dates back to first to third century AD.

The mausoleum and its lawns are very well maintained by ASI and the entry is free. In a city full of hustle this place makes the time go slow. The beautiful architecture and magnificent view of Ganges, Rajghat bridge, and Ghats make it worth a visit!

Google Maps location 

5. Nandeshwar Ghat

Nandeshwar Ghat is one of the most famous shooting locations in Varanasi. The perfect Haveli overlooking Ganges and Malviya bridge, a small Akhada, and the temples right under a banyan tree is a natural movie set. It is one of the most peaceful and cleanest ghats in Varanasi. So far more than 50 films have been shot here including movies like Masaan, Half-girlfriend, Mukti Bhawan, and Super 30.

Google Maps location 

6. Alamgir Mosque

Built by Aurangzeb in 1663, the Alamgir mosque is located at the Panch Ganga Ghat. It is an indo-Mughal style structure with a small pond that is rumored to be twice as deep as the height of the mosque.

The mosque overlooks the Ganges river and provides a beautiful view of all the ghats. It might get you marine drive vibes with added peace and serenity!

Google Maps location 

7. Phulwari Restaurant and Sami Cafe

If you are tired of the city’s noise and the crowd then head over to this cafe and make yourself comfortable at the king’s own property. Yes, you read it right this property belongs to the king of Varanasi so technically you’re hogging at his place.

The cherry on top is the hidden Kasiraj Kali temple which will accompany you while you sit under the roof made of grapevines. Very few locals know about the existence of this temple and it has an interesting story behind which you can read here.

Google Maps location 

8. Lolark Kund

Located near Tulsi ghat, Lolark Kund is one of the oldest sacred sites in Varanasi. According to a folklore, Lolark(trembling sun) Kund contains the sperm of Sun. Perhaps its a site of a small meteorite impact happened in ancient time.

Every year about half a million people take a dip in this Kund on Lolark Shasti in hopes of getting an offspring. The Kund remains quiet and peaceful all year-round and looks beautiful with emerald blue water.

Google Maps location 

9. Tulsi Manas Mandir

Tulsi Manas Temple is believed to be the site where Tulsidas wrote a few parts of Ramcharitra Manas. It is a beautiful temple made of white marble and has 4 small lawns.

Inside the temple, there are moving idols that depict the scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. This place is a treat for both pilgrims and tourists(Even better if you’re with kids!).

Google Maps location 

10. Durga Temple, Ramnagar

Believed to be around 500 years old, Durga temple is located in Varanasi around 3KM away from the Ramnagar Fort. It was built for the royal family of Kashi Naresh and has very impressive stone carving. The temple also has a large stone-built pond in front of it and there is a nice small garden right next to it.

It is said that the Maison who renovated the temple killed himself by jumping off it’s top because he found some follies in the upper structure which were impossible to be fixed.

Google Maps location 

Now that you know about these offbeat places to visit in Varanasi how about checking out The best street food options? (A must if you are a foodie!)

If you have any questions or you would like to add any other place to our list then please feel free to tell us in comments. Har Har Mahadev!

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