Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was founded on 7 November 1938 by Kulapati Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi. Conceived as an institution dedicated to the preservation and transmission of Indian culture, it began as a modest centre for Indological research. The Bhavan was established on the principle of sustaining Bharatiya Sanskriti and promoting Sanskrit as a foundational source of knowledge. Over the decades, it evolved into a nationwide cultural and educational movement with an international presence. It functions as a cooperative, non-political institution focused on cultural continuity, education, and the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary life. The Bhavan’s activities span literature, music, dance, philosophy, and education, reflecting its original aim of nurturing a value-based approach to life rooted in India’s cultural heritage.
About Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was founded as an “adventure in faith” in India’s past, present, and future. Its early purpose was to serve as a center for the study and preservation of Indian knowledge systems, with a particular emphasis on Sanskrit and classical traditions.
From its beginnings as a small Indological institution, the Bhavan expanded steadily in scope and reach. It developed into a national movement with branches across India and abroad, encompassing schools, colleges, libraries, research centers, and cultural spaces.
Today, the Bhavan operates as a cooperative and apolitical institution. Its core objective remains the cultivation of cultural awareness and ethical values through education and the arts, providing a platform for the study and presentation of India’s intellectual and artistic traditions.
Past Events
Location & Directions
29, KM Munshi Rd, Gamdevi, Mumbai, MH, 400007
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