Nepali Mandir, Hindu temple at Lalita Ghat, Varanasi, India.
Nepali Mandir is a temple at Lalita Ghat built in a pagoda-style structure with reddish stone and extensive wooden carvings. The building rises in stacked levels with curved rooflines typical of Nepali temple architecture, featuring decorated frames and carved panels at each tier.
Construction started around 1800 when Nepal's King Rana Bahadur Shah resided there in exile. His son completed the project two decades later, establishing this as a lasting religious site connecting Nepal to the city.
The temple displays woodwork that connects Nepali and North Indian artistic traditions through carved details throughout its interior. Visitors notice these fine carvings on walls, doorways, and pillars as they move through the spaces.
The temple sits directly along the ghats and is easily accessible by walking from nearby ghat areas. Visitors should take their time navigating the stone steps, as the ghat terrain can be narrow and uneven in places.
The building incorporates red stone brought across mountain passes from Nepal to Varanasi, making it a rare structure that literally connects materials from two countries. This geological choice reflects the royal effort invested in honoring the connection between the two places.
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