Swami Vivekananda and Varanasi
Swami Vivekananda’s connection with Varanasi, the eternal city of Lord Shiva, was divine and timeless.
Even before his birth, the sacred spirit of Kashi seemed to embrace him, for this holy city was destined to play a role in his life’s journey.
For detailed and interesting information on this subject, please read my post:
Varanasi, with its Ghats, Temples, and Timeless spirituality, became a place where Swamiji found peace, strength, and inspiration.
When the Monkeys of Varanasi Taught Swami Vivekananda a Lifelong Lesson
It was here, in the shadow of Lord Shiva’s city, that he spent some of his final days at the beautiful Gopal Lal Villa, leaving behind memories that still echo through the lanes of Kashi.
Varanasi is the city of Lord Shiva, whom Swamiji worshipped with great devotion. Throughout his life, he felt a special bond with this sacred city.
Swamiji last visited Varanasi in 1902, the year of his passing. During this visit, he stayed at Gopal Lal Villa, a beautiful garden house in the Cantonment area.
This villa later became famous in history because it witnessed some of his final days of rest, illness, and deep reflection.
GOPAL LAL VILLA
A painting by Kripa (a young artist) showing how Gopal Lal Villa looked in old times.
The fading remains of Gopal Lal Villa
Gopal Lal Villa in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, many kings and nobles built big houses and garden residences in Varanasi. Some of the most famous ones were:
Kashi Naresh’s Nadesari Kothi
Hathua Naresh’s Kothi
Bettiah’s Kothi
Vijayanagaram King’s Kothi
Goswami Bari (now called Dalmia Bhawan)
For detailed and interesting information on this subject, please read my post:
Among these was Gopal Lal Villa, the garden house of Raja Kali Krishna Thakur. It was a grand bungalow, well-furnished, with parlors, rooms, and gardens all around. The garden was filled with roses and massive trees.
When Swami Vivekananda stayed here, he praised the villa in his letters. He wrote:
“This house is nice — well furnished and has a good many rooms and parlours. There is a big garden all round and beautiful roses and gigantic trees.”
Swamiji’s Stay at Gopal Lal Villa
Swamiji came to Varanasi from Gaya on 4th February 1902. He stayed in Gopal Lal Villa for one month, until 4th March 1902.
Although he came here for rest, he did not stop working for others. Every day, he met Charu Chandra Das (Swami Shubhananda) and Sadashivananda, who had started the Daridra Narayan Seva Samiti.
Swamiji renamed it “Ramakrishna Home of Service.” Later, this became Ramakrishna Hospital (Kaudiya Hospital), which still serves people in Varanasi.
During his stay, he also met Rajarshi Uday Pratap Singh Ju Dev at his house in Durgakund. They discussed important topics about society, reforms, and the upliftment of people. This meeting showed Swamiji’s concern for the future of India, even when his health was failing.
Swamiji also visited the Nepali Temple in Varanasi, dedicated to Lord Shiva. There, he met the priest of the temple, showing his respect and devotion to the holy shrines of the city.
His Health and Letters
Swamiji was not in good health during this time. He often had a fever and difficulty breathing. On 4th March 1902, he wrote a letter to Sister Nivedita, saying that although his health looked steady, it could collapse at any moment.
His words proved true, because only a few months later, on 4th July 1902, he passed away in Belur Math near Kolkata.
His letters from Gopal Lal Villa are very important. They show his thoughts about life, spirituality, health, and service to society. These letters are preserved in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda.
The Villa Today
The remains of Gopal Lal Bhawan are located within the L.T. College campus.
Sadly, the condition of Gopal Lal Villa today is very poor. The building has lost its roof, the rooms are broken, and trees have grown on the walls.
Respect Vivekananda – Remove the Toilet!
Instead of preserving this sacred place with dignity, a public toilet has been shamelessly built right in front of it. Can there be a greater insult to one of India’s greatest saints, whose life and teachings awakened the soul of the nation?
Swamiji, who gave India a new identity before the world, deserves monuments of honour, not neglect and humiliation.
Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva and eternal culture, should protect every memory of Swamiji with devotion. Yet, this act stands as a scar on the conscience of our society. If we cannot respect our saints and heroes, what pride can we have in our heritage? The toilet must be removed, and Gopal Lal Villa must be restored with the honour it rightfully deserves.
The villa is inside the campus of a teacher training college, known as L.T. College, in Orderly Bazaar.
Only two pictures of Swamiji, placed by local people, can be seen at the entrance. There is also a stone slab inside the nearby school, which mentions that Swami Vivekananda stayed here in 1902. But no proper memorial has been made by the government.
Nearby, there is also the ancient Panchu Bir Temple, which is considered sacred. Some people believe that Vinoba Bhave, the Gandhian leader, also stayed in the rooms close to the villa.
Why It Should Be Preserved
Swami Vivekananda is one of the greatest saints of modern India. He taught courage, strength, and service to the poor. His speech in Chicago in 1893 made India proud before the whole world.
The villa where he spent his last visit to Varanasi should not be left in ruins. Varanasi is called the cultural capital of India. Every year, lakhs of people come here. If Gopal Lal Villa is restored and protected, it can become an important place for history, tourism, and spiritual learning.
Surprisingly, the leaders of the nation have ignored this place. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who is also the M.P. from Varanasi and often speaks about Swamiji, has not taken steps to save this building. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, himself a sanyasi, has also not acted.
Swami Vivekananda left Gopal Lal Villa in March 1902. Only four months later, on 4th July 1902, he left his body. This makes the villa one of the last places linked with his life.
Today, the villa is almost destroyed, but its memory still lives in Swamiji’s letters, in history, and in the hearts of people who love him.
Watch this video and feel the pain of Gopal Lal Villa — a place that should be a shrine of devotion, not a ruin of neglect.
We must not forget this heritage. Gopal Lal Villa is not just an old house. It is a symbol of Swami Vivekananda’s devotion, his service to society, and his deep connection with Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva.
If preserved, it can once again inspire the youth of India with Swamiji’s message:
“Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
Anything about Swami Vivekananda is of interest to me, and I thank you for this informative post, Nithink.
I agree with your words of the last paragraph.
Joanna