Tridev Temple

Tucked just off Sankat Mochan Road in the leafy Lanka neighbourhood, a stone's throw from the celebrated Tulsi Manas Mandir, the Tridev Temple is one of Varanasi's quieter architectural delights.

• Its name — Tridev, or 'Three Gods' — refers to the trio of Rajasthani deities enshrined together under one roof: Salasar Hanuman, Dadi Rani Sati Devi and Khatu Shyam Ji, each of whom has a famed home shrine in Rajasthan (at Salasar, Jhunjhunu and Khatu respectively).
• For the many Marwari and Rajasthani families who have settled in Kashi over generations, this temple is a beloved piece of home, and its walls hum with the same devotion you would find in the deserts far to the west.
• What sets the Tridev Temple apart is its craftsmanship.
• An older shrine on the site was rebuilt almost entirely in white marble, and artisans covered nearly every surface — floors, pillars, ceilings and walls — in delicate relief carving and inlay.
• Three domes crowned with gilded kalash rise above the sanctum, catching the morning light.
• Inside, alongside the three principal deities, you will find beautifully rendered murtis of Ganesha, Ram-Sita-Lakshman, Radha-Krishna, Maa Anjani, Shiva and Parvati.
• The cool marble underfoot, the soft echo of aarti bells and the geometric play of carved shadow make it a serene, contemplative stop — a gentle counterpoint to the sensory rush of the riverside ghats.
• Because it sits within easy walking distance of Tulsi Manas Mandir, Durga Kund and the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, the Tridev Temple slots naturally into a half-day temple circuit through south Varanasi.
• Mornings and early evenings, around aarti, are the most atmospheric times to visit, when the marble glows and resident families gather for darshan.
• Photography of the exterior and carved detailing is usually welcomed; always ask a priest before photographing the inner sanctum, and dress modestly as you would at any active shrine.
• For vegetarian travellers, Lanka is a delight — this pocket of the city, ringed by Banaras Hindu University, is overwhelmingly satvik and pure-vegetarian, so eating well and eating meat-free is effortless.
• Within a short auto or walk you will find Desi Mandapam for a hearty North Indian thali, Sagar Ratna for crisp dosas and South Indian fare, and the much-loved Ksheer Sagar for classic Banarasi sweets and namkeen.
• None serve meat, fish, egg or alcohol, and the neighbourhood's chaat and lassi stalls carry on the city's proudly vegetarian street-food tradition — perfect for a light bite before or after your temple visit.