Tulsi Manas Mandir

Varanasi has an endless list of temples that one can visit but here is one which exists in complete contrast with regard to peace and tranquility. This is the Tulsi Manas Temple which is a very modern temple built as recently as the year 1964. It is believed that Goswami Tulsi Das composed his Ram Charit Manas at this very spot in Varanasi or erstwhile Kashi. Written in Sanskrit the ancient Indian epic Ramayana was largely beyond the understanding of common people of the country. Tulsi Das took it upon himself to translate the Ramayana into Hindi which eventually enabled the countrymen to appreciate this great piece of literature. More and more people read of Lord Ram and started eulogizing him. Lord Rama thus became a household hero and Tulsi Das carved a niche for himself in the literary world. Many years later a temple in honour of Lord Ram was constructed at the very spot where Tulsi Das had written of him and the temple was named Tulsi Manas Temple as a mark of respect and reverence for him. The temple as such is a simple structure in white on simple lines with no complex and ornate features. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and its walls are engraved with verses and scenes from the epic Ramayana. Lacking the busy bustle of other temples in the city this is a place where one can find a moment of solitude and introspection.