Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated on the west bank of the Ganges River in the holy city of Varanasi. The Jyotirlinga located in the Kashi Vishwanath temple has an extraordinary and special significance in the religious history of India. It was built in the year 1780 by the Maratha emperor, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. The management of the temple was taken over on January 28, 1983 under the UP government.

A Naubatkhana (in front of the temple) has been constructed by Collector Mohammad. Ibrahim Khan in 1785. The two domes of the temple were covered with gold in 1839 (gifted by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjit Singh). And the third dome was gold plated by the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs, Government of Uttar Pradesh.

The main temple is quadrangular and is surrounded by temples of other deities. The main deity's linga in the temple is 60 cm (24 in) long and 90 cm (35 in) in circumference placed in a silver altar. There are small temples of Kaal Bhairav, Kartikeya, Avimukteshwar, Vishnu, Ganesh, Shani, Shiva and Parvati in the complex. The temple structure is made up of three parts.

The first settles with a spire on the temple. The second is a gold dome and the third is a gold pinnacle with a flag and a trident over the sanctum.

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is widely regarded as one of the most important places of worship in Hinduism.
2. Inside the Kashi Vishwanath temple there is a Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwar or Vishwanath.
3. Vishweshwar Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique importance in the spiritual history of India.
4. There are legends which believe that Shiva actually stayed here for some time. Shiva is considered the protector of the city and its people.

📅 Last update: 2024-07-09 || ✍ Author: Sandhya Chauhan

Meet Sandhya, exploring India with curiosity and wonder. She shares info and tips in simple language, inviting you to join the journey. She is graduated in tourism and writes about the places of India.