सुमेरा देवी मंदिर

In the quiet expanse of Ramnagar, just across the Ganga from Varanasi’s bustle, stands a temple less visited, but deeply resonant — the Sumera Devi Temple, dedicated to a form of Goddess Durga.

Built around 1770 by Raja Balwant Singh and completed by his son Chet Singh, this temple is a testament to the Rajput-inspired architecture of the time — complete with ornately carved stone panels, embedded sculpture, and fading frescoes that still whisper stories of devotion.

Each of its four sides, from the base to a height of over 10 metres is filled with elaborately carved figures. These carvings illustrate stories of the Gods and trace a symbolic picture of the universe. At the bottom, there are elephants — symbolically representing water, fertility and matter. Above there are lions, representing fire, courage and spirit — and two rows showing the Gods and their exploits. Right at the top, celestial nymphs surround sages. On the platform, facing three of the entrances of the temple are three figures in marble. At the south door, Nandi, the bull vehicle of Shiva, sits in a bending pose. Opposite the north door  is Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu with wings. In front of the main entrance is the lion vehicle of Durga. The inner side consists of the marble idol of Durga or Sumera Devi, covered with gold; and to the right is her 5-headed husband Shiva. Nearby, in a niche in the wall, are idols of Krishna and Radha. Each panel can be used to illustrate a lesson and narrate a story.

Though the stonework has softened, devotees still arrive during Navratri and Durga Puja, celebrating freshly adorned statues of Sumera Devi amid the temple's serene setting. It remains both a place of pilgrimage and quiet reflection, where ancient craftsmanship meets the devotion of today.