Sacred Geeta Mandir Subhash Marg, Nagpur, Nagpur

Geeta Mandir is located on Subhash Marg, near the equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Cotton Market area of Nagpur city. Geeta Mandir is considered one of the renowned large temples in Nagpur. Apart from the verses of the Bhagavad Gita carved on marble, numerous sculptures, and sacred idols, this temple is widely known for the Akhand Jyotis (eternal flames) lit during the Navratri festival. Every year during Navratri, more than three thousand Akhand Jyotis are ignited here.

The entrance of Geeta Mandir stands amidst a row of agricultural supply centers and pharmacies on both sides of Subhash Marg. Looking at the arched entrance adorned with distinctive craftsmanship gives an impression of the grand temple within. On both sides of the reddish-saffron entrance stand sculptures of lions. Swami Vidyanand Maharaj, originally from Ahmedabad, established this temple with the help of devotees on May 5, 1954. Located in the heart of Nagpur city, this temple is spread over an area of about one and a quarter acres. This land was received as a donation for the temple from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation.

Geeta Mandir is a beautiful example of modern sculpture and architecture. Situated on a slight elevation, there are 10 steps leading up to the temple. In the temple’s Sabhamandap (assembly hall), verses of the Bhagavad Gita are inscribed on 160-foot-long marble walls. The Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) houses marble idols of Geeta Mata, Radha-Krishna, Shiva-Parvati, and the temple’s founder, Swami Vidyanand Maharaj. These idols were unveiled at the hands of Sant Bharati Maharaj. Along with the principal deities, there are many beautiful idols and sculptures within the temple and its premises, including eight Ganesha idols—each two to three feet in height—representing replicas of the Ashtavinayakas, 12 Shivlingas replicating the 12 Jyotirlingas, Navdurga, Panchamukhi Ganesha, Vitthal-Rukmini, Narasimha, Lakshmi-Narayan, Shri Ram-Sita, Vamana, Shri Datta, Parashurama, Kalki, Varaha, Hanuman, Lord Buddha, and Lord Matsya.

It is said that Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj and other revered saints visited this Geeta Mandir on numerous occasions. Every year, during the nine days of Navratri, over three thousand Akhand Jyotis are lit in this temple. Devotees light these lamps to fulfill their vows (navas). For this, the temple management collects a nominal fee and provides the lamp, oil, kalash, and a priest. The responsibility of ensuring that the lamp remains lit continuously for nine days rests with the priests appointed by the temple. The temple committee appoints 21 Vedic priests for this purpose. It is said to be the first temple in Nagpur to light Akhand Jyotis in such a grand manner.

In addition, lectures on the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, as well as festivals like Geeta Jayanti, Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Guru Purnima, and Mahashivratri are celebrated here every year. The temple complex houses a library, a charitable Ayurvedic dispensary, a Sanskrit school (training center), and a Sant Niwas (residence for saints). Across the country, there are 13 Geeta Mandirs in various places including Badrinath, Ahmedabad, and Gondia, and this temple is considered one among them. Devotees can take darshan here from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Located one kilometer from Geeta Mandir is the famous ‘Zero Mile’ of Nagpur, regarded as the geographic center of India. On the road leading from the old Morris College towards the Reserve Bank of India, there is a pillar flanked by four horse sculptures—this is the Zero Mile. The measurement of distances to all four corners of India commenced from this very spot.

During British rule, the crucial task of connecting major cities across all four directions of the country from Nagpur via highways was undertaken. In 1907, ‘The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India’ established by them determined Nagpur as the central point of the nation. Accordingly, 150 horse riders were dispatched in all four directions from Nagpur. By correlating the total horse hoofbeats and time, the company calculated and mapped the distances from Nagpur to various cities in miles. Thus, Zero Mile stands as proof that Nagpur lies at the center of the Indian subcontinent. At this exact spot, National Highway No. 6 (Mumbai-Kolkata) and National Highway No. 7 (Allahabad-Trivandrum) intersect each other.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery