Golden Temple — Attraction in Uttar Pradesh

William Simpson (1823 - 1899) was a distinguished watercolourist and war artist. Having established his reputation by documenting the Crimean war in 1854, Day and Sons, the London lithography firm, commissioned him to sketch well-known sites in and around Delhi associated with the Revolt of 1857 by Indians against the rule of the British East India Company.

Simpson arrived in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1859 and travelled widely. His rapid pencil drawings formed the preparatory studies for his finished watercolours done after his return to London in 1862. His detailed journal, sketches and pictures from India resulted in these highly coloured, evocative, and romantic interpretations of the landscape and architecture.

During his time in India, Simpson travelled from Kanpur to Allahabad, where he remained for about a week, and then went on to Benares (Varanasi), where he was put up at the Victoria Hotel. He spent three days at the Golden Temple. He completed the painting of the sculpture of the sacred bull-calf, Nandi, at the Golden Temple in Benares in 1869.

Painting of the Bull Nandi in the courtyard of the Golden Temple by William Simpson, Benares, 1866 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Painting of the sculpture of the sacred bull-calf, Nandi, at the Golden Temple in Benares, India. Nandi, the vahana (mount) of Lord Shiva, is seated near the mandapa (pillared hall) in front of the Vishvantha Temple, also known as the Golden temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has a clustered pointed spire, gilded and decorated with flags. Several Lingas (the phallic symbol of Shiva) are present. On the left, a woman in a pink sari bathes the Linga in milk, a ritual to energise and purify the deity. Local devotees carry lotas (vessels)...

The temple is so less known in Sarnath that it hardly gets any tourists. Even locals of Varanasi don't know about this temple. But it is one of the most beautiful Buddhist temple I've ever seen. Because there are no tourists, this place is very serene. Be respectful and obey the rules (like no photography inside the temple, but you could click pictures in the compound).

It is located in the village behind the main Sarnath Chauraha. Just follow Google Maps and you'll reach here. It's not open to visitors all day long so you'll have to make sure about the time. We visited in the morning around 10am.

PS: Dalai Lama...

This is one striking Buddhist temple with the most colourful details that the tourists visiting Sarnath often miss out because it’s not on the itinerary of local autos that you usually take a tour on plus is about a kilometre from the main stupa hidden in the town. But it has the most peaceful ambience and the most stunning Buddha! The google location takes u on the same lane but maybe a lil further ahead depending on which side you coming from coz you can keep going on this road and come out either near the Sarnath museum side or the Chinese temple side but it’s one simple way, recommend taking a vehicle...