Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in India and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Vishwanath, the presiding deity of the city. It is situated in in the holy city of Varanasi (also known as Banaras or Benares), in the Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh state of India. This temple town claims to be the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history. Varanasi is called Kashi in almost all ancient scriptures. Hence, the name-Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Varanasi is the ultimate destination of all Hindu pilgrims and of the over 2,000 temples in Varanasi, Vishwanath temple is the most important.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple located on the western banks of sacred Ganga enshrines one of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. This is the holiest of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga a glimpse of which is considered very auspicious. It is believed that just a glimpse of the sacred linga earns a devotee more blessings than a visit to the rest of the jyotirlingas scattered throughout the country. It is popularly known as the 'Golden Temple' due the gold plating done on its 15.5 meter high spire. Hindus believe that one who worships at the Kashi Vishwanath temple will attain salvation and will get liberation from the cycle of life and death.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple Legends
Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Lingam at 12 holy cities in India, Varanasi being one of them. These Lingams we known as Jyotirlingams. It is believed that Varanasi is the point at which the first Jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light by which Shiva manifested his supremacy over other gods, broke through the earth’s crust and flared towards the heaven.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple History
The original Vishwanath temple was destroyed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb who built the Gaynvapi Mosque in its place. Even today the western wall of the mosque shows the remnants of a temple. Both the Kashi Vishwanath and the Gyanvapi mosque are adjacent to each other. The present temple was rebuilt by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore, in 1780 and the gold plating on the towers of the temple was provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Indore. He had donated 800-kilogram gold-plating of the towers. The gold plated shikhara and ceiling has resulted in the temple also being referred to as the 'Golden Temple'.
Structure of the Shri Vishwanath Temple
Shri Vishwanath Temple is situated amidst the crowded lanes of Varanasi on the banks of the river Ganga. The temple can be approached from a lane called Vishwanath lane. Inside the courtyard is the temple of Vishwanath surrounded by many subsidiary shrines. The Vishwanath temple consists of a mandapa and a sanctum. Inside the sanctum a linga is set into the centre of the floor in a square silver altar. The Linga is of black stone. The Shivling is 60 cms in height and 90 cms in circumference. There is a well, called Jnana Vapi i.e. wisdom well located to the north of the main temple. On the southern entrance of the temple, there are three temples in a row one behind the other, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Virupakshi Gauri and Avimukta Vinayaka. There are a group of five lingas enclosed in the temple called Nilakantheshvar temple. Just above the Avimukteshvara Vinayaka are temples of Shanishchara and Virupaksha. To the right just near the entrance is the temple enshrining a linga called Avimukteshvara.
Mahashivratri, Rangbhari (Aamlaki) Ekadashi, Annakoot , Shrawan Maah, Makar Shakranti, etc are the most auspicious festivals that are celebrated in a grand manner at Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
Varanasi is a major rail junction and is well connected to all the metros and major cities in the country. There are two railway stations in Varanasi, the Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment). There are private and public buses to reach the temple. The nearest airport is Babatpur, 22 km from Varanasi. Varanasi airport is connected to many Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Agra. Varanasi is also well-connected by national highways with all major cities in the country. Frequent State owned public bus services and regular private bus services are available from nearby cities to Varanasi.