Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous temples in Varanasi, also known as the Golden temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Indore. This makes Varanasi a tourists place because of great religious importance to the Hindus. The gold used to cover the two domes of the temple was donated by the Punjab Kesari, the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who ruled Punjab. Now, after 28 January 1983, this temple becomes the property of the government of Uttar Pradesh and it is managed by Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh, then by the Kashi Naresh. The current structure built in: 1780 Creator: Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar Location of the Temple: Kashi Vishwanath temple is located almost 5 km away from the Varanasi railway station and almost 6 km from the BHU. Kashi Vishwanath Temple located at the western bank of the holy river Ganges. The Jyotirlinga present in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is considered as the 12th of all the Jyotirlingas. Lord Shiva is the main deity in Hinduism and also known as the Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara (means the ruler of the universe). Kashi is the oldest city of the world in history and known as the city of Lord Shiva. According to the Shaiva philosophy, it is considered that Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the midpoint of the worship for a long time. There is a Gyanvapi Mosque located adjacent to the temple. During spiritual occasions such as Shivratri, the king of Kashi (Kashi Naresh) comes to the temple. At that time nobody is allowed to enter the temple. Other devotees are allowed to the temple only after Kashi Naresh has completed his worship. There is a well in the campus of the temple called Jnana Vapi or wisdom well. There is a history behind the well. It is considered that the Jyotirlinga was veiled in the well in order to get protection from incursion. The main saint of the temple was jumped into the well with the Jyotirlinga to protect from the intruders. There are various small temples such as the Kaalbhairav, Avimukteshwara, Vishnu, Vinayaka, and Virupaksh Gauri are located in the main campus of the temple. Around 3000 devotees come daily to the temple and on special occasions, it becomes 100000. The significance of the temple Kashi Vishwanath Temple has most religious importance for the worship in the Hindu religion. Many great Hindu saints (like Adi Sankaracharya, Goswami Tulsidas, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda, Gurunanak etc) had come to the Varanasi to take bath in the holy water of the Gange and for the Darshan of the Jyotirlinga. It is believed that the one who will take bath (at least once in the lifetime) in the Gange in the holy city Varanasi will get Moksha. True devotees of Lord Shiva get freedom from the cycle of death and birth. After death, they directly intermingled into the Mahadev. People believes that the one who decided to end their life at the temple, Lord Shiva himself drive a mantra of freedom in his ear. Details about the Shiva temple is described in the Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana. Kashi Vishwanath temple was constructed by the Hari Chandra in the 11th century. The temple was destroyed and reconstructed many times. The current construction is done by the Hindu Maratha queen of Malwa kingdom, Ahilya Bai Holkar. History of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Kashi Vishwanath temple is located at the western bank of River Ganges in the holy city Varanasi. Jyotirlinga in the Kashi Vishwanath temple has extraordinary and exclusive importance in the religious history of India. It attracts devotees from all across the world. The management of the temple was taken under UP Government on 28th January 1983. The current temple is constructed by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780. A Naubatkhana (in front of the temple) is constructed by the Collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan in 1785. The two domes of the temple were covered by the gold (offered by the Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh) in 1839. And the third dome was gold plated by the Ministry of cultures and Religious affairs of Uttar Pradesh Government. Vishwanath Gali Vishwanath Gali in Varanasi is the way to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in the Vishwanath Gali and one who wants to go to the temple he can go through the Vishwanath Gali. Vishwanath Gali is very popular gali of the Varanasi and famous for ladies corner, shops for the pooja goods and sweets. Devotees can make an affordable shopping in the Vishwanath Gali after completing the Darshan of Lord Shiva in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.