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New Delhi: Every patriotic Indian, undoubtedly, reveres the motherland as a Goddess. However, the concept of praying to our country as Bharat Mata or Mother India came into existence against the backdrop of the Indian independence movement. Rabindranath Tagore’s nephew, Abanindranath Tagore, created the first painting of Bharat Mata in 1905, the time when Bengal was partitioned by the British. In this painting, she can be seen wearing a saffron sari with four hands. In her hands, she holds the essentials of human life – education, initiation, food, and clothing.
Many patriotic people interpret the painting as the mother, who is asking her sons to free her from the clutches of the British. The original is now on display at the Victoria Memorial Hall Museum in Kolkata. Since then, a few temples dedicated to Bharat Mata have been constructed. As Independence Day 2025 is approaching, we will explore these temples across India.
As Independence Day 2025 is around the corner, let’s celebrate the concept of Bharat through these temples dedicated to Bharat Mata.
1. Bharat Mata Temple at Varanasi
This temple, located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth campus in Varanasi, is unparalleled in many ways. It celebrates the concept of ‘Akhand Bharat’ as it is described in our ancient scriptures. Politically, it would include the present-day countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. A detailed map of India is created using Makrana’s marble. Interesting fact about this map is that anything man-made is not present, be it political boundaries or be it any structures.
Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936, the temple was completely funded by freedom fighter Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta. There is an idol of Bharat Mata inspired by the famous painting of Abanindranath Tagore.
2. Bharat Mata Temple at Haridwar
Constructed by Swami Satyamitranand Giri at Haridwar in 1983, this temple was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi and is frequently visited by many people. This 8-storey temple, considered the tallest in the city, provides a great view of the River Ganga and Rajaji National Park.
The ground floor is dedicated to Bharat Mata, the first floor or Shoor Mandir to heroes and freedom fighters, the second floor or Matri Mandir to women's power and has idols of Meerabai and Lakshmi Bai, the third floor or Sant Mandir to the saints of India.
The fourth floor is dedicated to different religions, the fifth floor to Shakti or Devi – the divine feminine in India, the sixth floor to Vishnu and his multiple incarnations, and the seventh floor to Shiva.
3. Bharat Mata Temple at Ujjain
Situated near the Mahakaleshwar temple, this temple was erected by Madhav Seva Nyas, and is the latest with its inaugurated in 2018. This 3-storey temple has a 16-foot tall idol of Bharat Mata, with images of Nava Durga around her. The temple premises include an auditorium, a library, a meditation and yoga centre, and an assembly hall.
4. Bharat Mata Temple at Deogiri
Built by Yadava Kings in the 11th century, Deogiri Fort is located near the present-day city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Today, the premise holds the Bharat Mata Temple instead of an ancient temple. The date of this temple is not known.
If these Bharat Mata Temples stirred curiosity within your mind, you can plan to visit these rare places of devotion on Independence Day and share about them with people still unaware of them.
