Upasana Griha

Welcome to one of the most peaceful and visually stunning landmarks of Santiniketan—the Upasana Griha. Known fondly by locals as the Kanch Mandir (Glass Temple), this building is much more than just a prayer hall; it is a symbol of light, transparency, and universal peace.

Why is it so special?

Imagine a building made almost entirely of shimmering, multi-colored glass! Built in 1891 by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore (the father of Rabindranath Tagore), the Upasana Griha was inspired by the famous Crystal Palace in London.

Unlike traditional temples, you won’t find any idols or statues here. Instead, it was built for the Brahmo Samaj style of worship, where people focus on meditation and the “formless” Divine.

What to Look Out For

• The Belgian Glass: The walls are decorated with beautiful, colored Belgian glass. When the sun rays hit these panels, the interior fills with a magical, rainbow-like glow.

• A Place of Peace: Set inside a quiet mango grove (Amra Kunj), the hall has white marble steps on all four sides. It is designed to feel open and connected to nature.

• The Greek Cross: If you look closely at the glass patterns and railings, you will see small “Greek Cross” symbols. This was the Maharshi’s way of showing respect and openness to all religions of the world.

The Wednesday Tradition

In Santiniketan, Wednesday is the day of rest and prayer. Every Wednesday morning, the Ashram community gathers here for a serene prayer service.

• The Sight: Everyone dresses in traditional white clothes.

• The Sound: You can hear the beautiful sounds of Rabindra Sangeet and Vedic chants echoing through the trees.

• The Evening: On special occasions (like Christmas or the Poush Mela), the entire hall is lined with hundreds of candles. The sight of the glass temple glowing in the dark is something you will never forget!