The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, India, is one of the most revered Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on the western bank of the river Ganges, it is considered one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are sacred representations of Shiva.
Aarti Timings-
Every day at 2:30 a.m., the temple opens. The Mangala Aarti is held between 3 and 4 a.m.
From 11:15 a.m. until 12:20 p.m., the Bhoga Aarti is performed.
Sandhya Aarti is held from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.
Shingara Aarti is held between 9:00 and 10:15 p.m.
Shayana Aarti, the final aarti, is held from 10:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
One can get Aarti Tickets Online from, the “Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust” website.
For Sugam Darshan it is 300rs/Pax.
Rudrabhishek- 450rs?couple & child/rn below 12 yrs. (Puja Samagri Included)
Historical and Religious Significance
Ancient Origins: The temple’s origins date back to ancient times, though the exact date of its founding is uncertain. It has been a site of immense religious importance for centuries.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is located in Vishwanath Gali, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The presiding deity is known by the names Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (Viśvanātha and Viśveśvara), literally meaning Lord of the Universe.
According to several historical accounts, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of the Hindu temple in 1669. Subsequently, in 1678, the Gyanvapi Mosque was built on its site, but Hindu pilgrims continued to visit the remnants of the temple. The current structure was constructed on an adjacent site by the Maratha ruler Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780.
In 2021, a major redevelopment of the temple complex was completed, and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor connecting the Ganga river with the temple was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, leading to a many-fold increase in visitors. It has become one of the most visited Hindu temples in India, with an average of 45,000 pilgrims per day in 2023. The total assets of the temple were estimated to be more than ₹6 crores in 2024.
Legend
It is believed that Varanasi is the first Jyotirlinga to manifest itself. According to the legend, it was at this place that Shiva (the Hindu god of destruction) manifested as an infinite column of light (Jyotirlinga) in front of Brahma (the Hindu god of creation) and Vishnu (the Hindu god of preservation) when they had an argument about their supremacy.
In order to discover the origin of the luminous column, Vishnu took the form of a boar (Varaha) and tracked the column beneath the ground, while Brahma, who assumed the shape of a swan, scoured the heavens in an attempt to locate the apex of the column. However, both of them were unsuccessful in identifying the source of the luminous column. Yet, Brahma deceitfully asserted that he had discovered the summit of the column, while Vishnu humbly admitted his inability to find the starting point of the radiant column. Due to Brahma’s deceit over the discovery of the origin of the luminous column, Shiva penalized him by cutting his fifth head and placing a curse upon him. This curse entailed that Brahma would no longer receive reverence, whereas Vishnu, being truthful, would be equally venerated alongside Shiva and have dedicated temples for eternity.
Hindu scriptures describe Vishweshwara as the sacred deity of Varanasi, holding the position of king over all the other deities as well as over all the inhabitants of the city and the extended circuit of the Panchkoshi, an area (the sacred boundary of Varanasi) spreading over 50 miles.
Jyotirling
The jyotirlinga is an ancient axis mundi symbol representing the supremely formless (nirguna) reality at the core of creation, out of which the form (saguna) of Shiva appears. The jyothirlinga shrines are thus places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light.
History
Medieval period and destruction
The original Vishwanath temple, initially known as the Adi Vishveshwar Temple, was destroyed by the Ghurids in 1194. In a few years, the Razia Mosque was constructed in its place. In 1230, the temple was rebuilt near the Avimukteshwara Temple, away from the main site, during the reign of Delhi’s Sultan Iltutmish (1211–1266), It was demolished again during the rule of either Hussain Shah Sharqi (1447–1458) or Sikandar Lodi (1489–1517).
Religious importance
Located on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi is regarded as among the holiest of the Hindu cities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is widely recognized as one of the most important places of worship in the Hindu religion because it holds the jyotirlinga of Shiva Vishveshwara or Vishvanath.
A visit to the temple and a bath in the Ganges is one of many methods believed to lead one on a path to moksha (liberation). Thus, Hindus from all over the world try to visit the place at least once in their lifetime. There is also a tradition that one should give up at least one desire after a pilgrimage to the temple, and the pilgrimage would also include a visit to the temple at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu in South India, to which people take water samples of the Ganges to perform prayer there and bring back sand from near that temple.
Best Time To Visit-
- The best Time to visit Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple is in the early morning or late in the evening. Throughout the temple is quite busy with devotees.
Tips:
- Visitors are requested to dress modestly.
- It is advisable to carry minimal belongings due to security checks.
- Mobiles, Cameras, Electronic gadgets, Make-up items, and Electronic watches, are not allowed.