Public
4 photosEducation
Banaras Hindu Univerrsity Central Library
बनारस हिंदू विश्वविद्यालय केंद्रीय पुस्तकालय
LankaListed updated 4 months ago
About
📚 Step into one of India's most prestigious academic sanctuaries - the Central Library of Banaras Hindu University. This architectural marvel houses over a million books and manuscripts, serving as the intellectual heart of the 100-year-old university that has shaped modern India's scholarly landscape.
10 Lakh+
📖 Books & Journals
25,000+
🗞️ Rare Manuscripts
2000+
👥 Daily Visitors
1916
🏛️ Established
Legacy of Learning
1916
Founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya as part of his vision for indigenous higher education
1947
Became a central repository for Sanskrit manuscripts and ancient texts
1980s
Digitization project began, preserving palm leaf manuscripts and rare collections
2016
Centenary renovation with modern reading halls and digital archives
Scholarly Sanctuary
🏛️ The imposing red sandstone facade welcomes you into hushed reading halls where generations of scholars have pursued knowledge. Sunlight filters through tall windows onto carved wooden reading desks, while the aroma of old books mingles with incense from nearby temples.
🌿 The library's courtyard gardens provide peaceful spots for contemplation, with ancient banyan trees offering shade to students deep in study. The manuscript section houses treasures in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, and Persian - some dating back centuries.
Visitor's Guide
📋 Access: Visitor passes available at main gate with valid ID - perfect for researchers and book lovers
📱 Digital Catalog: Use the online portal to search collections before visiting
🤫 Etiquette: Maintain library silence - this is an active study space for 30,000+ students
📸 Photography: Exterior and common areas only - special permission needed for rare book sections
🍃 Best Spots: Main reading hall for architecture, manuscript room for history buffs
📅 Visiting Hours
Monday-Saturday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
💸 Entry Fee
Free for visitors
₹20 for temporary reading access
👗 Dress Code
Formal/decent attire preferred
Remove shoes in manuscript section
⏱️ Duration
1-2 hours for general visit
Half day for research
Quick facts
- In Lanka.
Insider Tips
- India's premier academic library housing over a million books and 25,000 rare manuscripts in a stunning colonial architecture - the intellectual heart of BHU where knowledge seekers have gathered for over a century.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
October to March during academic session, weekday mornings for quieter experience, avoid exam periods (April-May, November-December)
Time Required
1-2 hours for general visit, half day for research purposes
Entry Fee
Free for visitors, ₹20 for temporary reading access
Rules & Dress Code
Formal/decent attire preferred. Maintain complete silence in reading areas. Mobile phones on silent mode. No food or drinks inside. Photography restricted to exterior and common areas only. Valid ID required for visitor pass. Remove shoes in manuscript section.
Details & Contact
College Library
Reviews
Sign in to write a review.