Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi | History, Timing & How To Reach

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, or temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in Varanasi on the western bank of the holy Ganga. The temple’s main deity is Lord Shiva, also known as Vishwanatha or Vishweshwarar, which means “the ruler of the universe.” Varanasi, India’s cultural capital, is therefore referred to as the city of Lord Shiva. The temple’s tower is plated with 800 kg of gold.

Electronic equipment, including cameras and cell phones, must be placed in lockers outside as they are not permitted inside. Gate number two allows foreigners to enter, passing the Indians who are waiting for their turn. Only Hindus are permitted to enter the Jnana Vapi, or wisdom well, which is located within the temple complex.

The king of Kashi (Kashi Naresh) used to attend the temple for worship on major occasions like Shivaratri, when no one else was permitted on the temple grounds. When the king finished his prayers, devotees were permitted. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple’s significance also comes from the fact that it is mentioned in a number of Hindu sacred texts. The temple’s exterior is embellished with elaborate carvings that give the facade a divine appearance. In addition, the temple is home to a number of smaller temples, including Vinayaka, Avimukteshwara, Virupaksh Gauri, Vishnu, and Kaalbhairav.

History of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

The Puranas, notably the Kashi Khanda (portion) of the Skanda Purana, include the first reference to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It’s interesting to note that over history, this temple has undergone numerous reconstructions and total destruction. When Qutb-ud-din Aibak’s forces overthrew the King of Kannauj in 1194, the shrine was initially demolished. The temple was reconstructed under the Iltutmish dynasty in Delhi and then destroyed once more under Sikander Lodhi. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Raja Man Singh restored the temple. Emperor Aurangzeb demolished the temple in 1669 CE and replaced it with the Gyanvapi Mosque.

Also called the Golden Temple of Lord Shiva, it was eventually restored in 1780 by the Maratha king Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. The Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Punjab Kesari, donated two gold-covered domes to the shrine, while the Bhosales of Nagpur contributed silver. The temple was run by Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh and then by Kashi Naresh before becoming the property of the Uttar Pradesh government on January 28, 1983.

Significance of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of Varanasi’s most famous temples, is very important to Hinduism. Devotees flock to the temple year-round because it is commonly thought that the best way to achieve ‘Moksha’, or liberation, is to visit there and then take a bath in the sacred Ganges. Another myth is that when people die naturally at the Vishwanath Temple, Lord Shiva personally whispers the mantras of salvation into their ears. Goswami Tulsidas, Swami Vivekanand, Adi Sankaracharya, Gurunanak Dev, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, and other notable Hindu saints have all paid visits to this temple.

Architecture of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

A group of smaller shrines known as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple are situated in The temple complex, which is situated close to the river in a narrow lane known as the Vishwanatha Galli, is made up of several smaller temples. The shrines devoted to different deities encircle the main temple, which is built in the shape of a quadrangle. Kaalbhairav, Dhandapani, Avimukteshwara, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Virupaksha, and Virupaksh Gauri are the deities honored in these temples. The temple’s main Shivalinga, which is housed in a silver altar, is 60 cm tall and 90 cm in circumference. It is made of black stone.

Additionally, there is a sacred well called Gyaan Vapi, which is thought to be the location where the Shivalinga was concealed to keep it safe from outsiders. The temple’s structure is divided into three sections. The first is the spire on Lord Vishwanath’s temple; the second is a gold dome; and the third is the gold spire on top of Vishwanath with a trident and a flag.

Vishwanath Gali, Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi

The Kashi Vishwanath Gali, which is well-known for its stores offering pooja supplies and confections, must be traversed in order to get to the temple. Additionally, there is a well-known ladies’ area on the street that sells a variety of goods, including jewelry, clothing, religious items, and Banarasi sarees. Bangles, Kurtis, wooden toys, brass objects, statues, religious books, deity posters, accessories, clothing materials, candies, food, and even CDs are among the other things for sale here. Snacks are also available at a few roadside stands for those sudden hunger cravings. Devotees can also go here for reasonably priced shopping after finishing their darshan of Lord Shiva.

How To Reach Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi

The Varanasi train station is only roughly 5 km from the temple. The best ways to get to your destination when commuting from anyplace in the city are by taxi or autorickshaw. You must walk up to the temple threshold because the real temple is situated inside the Vishwanath Gali, which is not a motorable road.

Dress Code for Visiting Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Visitors to the well-known Kashi Vishwanath Temple are now required to wear sarees for women and dhoti-kurtis for males. The Kashi Vishwad Parishad recently decided that devotees who are performing sparsh darshan, or entering the temple shrine, must adhere to this clothing code. Nonetheless, worshiping the deity beyond the temple would be permitted for devotees wearing western attire.