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Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India-Among One of the 12 Jyotirlinaga Temple



Here is Information  Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh India.
Location : Vishwanath Gali, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Address: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - 221001
Built in : 1780
Built by:Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar
Phone No: 0542 239 2629
Dedicated to : Lord Shiva(Vishwanatha) Jyotirlinga
Significance : One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
Architectural style: Hindu temple
Entry: Free
Photography: Allow
Temple Timing: 5:00 Am to 9: 00Pm
Visiting Timing : 30 Mins
Best Time to Visit: All Time
Nearest Railway Station:Varanashi Junction
Nearsest Air Port: Varanasbhi Airport

More Information about  Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple

Main Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple  is one of the most renowned temples of Lord Shiva, situated in the holy city of Varanasi (also known as Banaras or Benares), in the Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh state of India. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas Shrines of Lord Shiva. It is said that the benefits gained by the darshan of other Jyotirlingas in various parts of India, goes to the devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The main deity is known as Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara, which means the Ruler of the Universe. Situated on the western bank of the river Ganges, the temple is visited by millions of devotees to get blessings and devout peace. Kashi Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga Temple is sometimes referred as the Golden Temple because of the 15.5m high golden spire which adorns the temple, similar to the Sikh Gurudwara at Amritsar.

Varanasi is also famed for being one of the Shakti Peethas of India. It is said that the left hand of Sati fell at Varanasi. Goddess Annapurna or Visalakshi signifies the Shakti Peetham here.

History of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanashi
Due to long interrupted history of invasions, the original temple has not yet been traceable. Possibly, the temple has got damaged during various invasions. In 1780, the present structure of the temple is said to have been constructed by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In 1835, the temple spire and dome were covered with 1000 kgs of gold that was donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab. From the year 1983, Vishwanath temple is under the management of Uttar Pradesh Government. The Shiva temple has been mentioned in Puranas including Kashi Khanda (section) of Skanda Purana. In 11th century A.D., Hari Chandra reconstructed the temple. Muhammad Ghori destroyed it along with other temples of Varanasi during his raid in 1194. Reconstruction of the temple started soon after. This was demolished by Qutb-ud-din Aybak. After Aybak's death the temple was again rebuilt. In 1351 it was destroyed again by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, who also had Hindu holy works translated in Persian.The temple was rebuilt in 1585 by Todar Mal, the Revenue Minister of Akbar's Court.Aurangzeb ordered its demolition in 1669 and constructed Gyanvapi Mosque, which still exists alongside the temple. Traces of the old temple can be seen behind the mosque. The current temple was built by Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780.The temple spire and the dome are plated with 1000 kg of gold donated by the mighty Jatt Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, in 1835.

As Puran says Kashi Vishwanath Baba is divided in to 3 parts of Trishul Kedareshwar Vishweshwar MahaMritunjay.According to puran the person who stays at the end of his life time gets moksha. Kashi Vishwanath gives tarak mantra to get moksha. People who live in kashi get Aarth, Dharma, Karma, Moksha. The Temple is also known as the Golden Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city.This is the holiest spot in the city.

More than the Ghats and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remains the devotional focus of Varanasi. Varanasi is said to be 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 heavens. The original temple was destroyed by aurangzeb who built a mosque in its place, but the traces of the old temple can be seen behind the mosque.The present temple was built by Maharani Ahilya Bai of Indore in the year 1776 and the gold plating on the towers of the temple was provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Indore.

To the side of the temple is Gyan-Kupor('The well of Knowledge'). It is believed that the Shiva Lingam removed from the original temple was hidden in this well to protect it from Aurangazeb and it still lies there. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple.

The temple complex consists of a series of smaller shrines, located in a small lane called the Vishwanatha Galli, near the river. The linga the main deity at the shrine is 60 cm tall and 90 cm in circumference housed in a silver altar. There are small temples for Kaalbhairav, Dhandapani, Avimukteshwara, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Virupaksha and Virupaksh Gauri in the complex. There is a small well in the temple called the Jnana Vapi (the wisdom well) and it is believed that the Jytorlinga was hidden in the well to protect it at the time of invasion. It is said that the main priest of the temple had jumped in the well with the Shiv Ling in order to protect the (Jyoti-r)Ling from the invaders..

The Varanasi city is addressed with vivid names such as ancient city of ghats, cultural capital and so on. Varanasi becomes immensely sacred due to the existence of Mahadev (Lord Shiva). The never ending joyous spirit of the city is in close proximity with the essence of Kashi Vishwanath.

Displaying a gesture of impeccable harmony, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and a Mosque in Varanasi co-exists in the same premises. The tough security protocols at the temple entrance have not been even close to affect the spirit of devotees to visit their Lord.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple registers a stunning visit record that tolls to around 3000 visitors every day. At certain occasions, the numbers reach lakhs. The temple entrance is through a narrow street surrounded by unique, souvenir shops and guards.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Architecture 

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Banaras consists of a mandapa and a sanctum, besides many subsidiary shrines. The sanctum has a linga made of black stone and is set into the center of the floor in a square silver altar. 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. Shanishchara and Virupaksha temples are seen just above the Avimuka Vinayaka temple. There is another linga called Avimukteshvara which is seen on the right, near the entrance. Some people suggest that original Jyotirlinga at the place is not the Vishwanatha but the Avimukteshvara Jyotirlinga.

There is a well called Gyan-Kupor (the well of Knowledge), located beside the temple. Legend has it that when the Shiva Lingam was removed from the original temple, it was hidden in this well to protect it from Aurangazeb.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Daily Schedules and Timings

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi opens daily at 2:30 am. Aarati is performed five times, daily. Mangala Aarti is from 3 am to 4 am. Then it is opened for devotees from 4 am to 11 am. From 11.30 am to 12 noon, mid-day Bhog Aarti is done. Again from 12 noon to 7 pm, devotees can worship.

From 7 pm to 8.30 pm, evening Sapta Rishi Aarti is done. After that devotees can visit till 9.00 pm, when Sringar/Bhog Aarti starts. After 9.00 pm, devotees can worship from outside only. Shayan Aarti starts at 10.30 PM and the Kashivishwanath Temple closes at 11 pm.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Festivals

Mahashivratri is celebrated in a grand manner at Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun (February or March) every year.

Bhimashankar
Nageshwar
Rameshwaram
Trimbakeshwar
Vaidyanath

Hotels and Restaurants Near Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi

Ganpati Guest House 3.0 Star Hotel
D 3/24 Meer Ghat, Varanasi
0.3 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

Hotel Alka 3.0 Star Hotel
D. 3/23, Meer Ghat ,Dashashwamedh, Varanasi
0.3 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

Lara India Hotel
Dashashwamedh Road ,Godowlia, Varanasi
0.3 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

Ajay Guest House
D21 / 11 Choushotti Ghat ,Rana Mahal Ghat, Varanasi
0.5 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

Hotel Vibhav Harsh 3.0 Star Hotel
Jangambari Road ,Godowalia, Varanasi
0.5 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

WelcomHeritage Jukaso Ganges 3.5 Star Hotel
CK 1 / 14, Patni Tola Chowk ,Between Bhosle and Ram Ghat, Varanasi
0.6 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

Palace on Steps 2.5 Star Hotel
D - 21/11, Rana Mahal Ghat, ,Bangoli Tola, Varanasi
0.6 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

Faran Hotel
D 50/129, Nai Sarak, Varanasi
0.6 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

Atithi Sagar Hotel
D47/200B Ramapura Opposite Nidan Kendra ,Girjaghar Chouraha, Luxa Road, Varanasi
0.7 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)

Hotel Ok International 4.0 Star Hotel
D-47/188A ,Ramapura, Luxa, Varanasi
0.8 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi)
Brown Bread Bakery Varanasi
D 5/127 Tripura Bhairavi Dashaswamedh Golden Temple
0.2 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

Megu Cafe
Megu Cafe D. 8/1, Kalika Gali
0.1 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

Dosa Cafe
D.15/49, Maan Mandir Dashaswamedh
0.3 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

Blue Lassi
Near Vishwanath Temple, Chauka Ghat
0.3 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

Angel's Cafe at UP Cottage
D. 5/68 Tripura Bhairawi
0.2 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

Jyoti Cafe
32/2 Bangali Tola Dashaswmedh Road
0.3 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

Vishnu Tea Emporium
D 15/51,Dasashwamedh Road Manmandir
0.4 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

Niyati Cafe
Behind Rashmi Guest House
0.3 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

Bana Lassi
D. 19/30-B, Bangali Tola, Dashashwamedh
0.5 km from Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath) Varanasi

How to Reach Kashivishwanath Temple Varaanashi 

By Road :The holy city of Varanasi lies on NH2 (National Highway) from Calcutta to Delhi and is well connected by road and is easily accessible from all parts of the country. Varanasi is around 128 km from Allahabad, 240 km from Bodhgaya, 286 km from Lucknow and 565 km from Agra.
National Highway 7 (NH 7) connects Varanasi with other major cities including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Madurai, and Kanyakumari.

By Rail :Varanasi Junction Railway Station, also known as Varanasi Cantonment Station, situated at the city center in the cantonment area is a major railway junction managed by Northern Railways. Some of the major trains passing through Varanasi Junction Railway Station include Kashi Vishwanath Express, New Delhi - Varanasi Express, Mahanagari Express, Amritsar - Howrah Express, and Varuna Express.Mughal Sarai Railway Station is another major railway station situated within Varanasi city limits.

By Air : Babatpur Airport, also known as Varanasi Airport or Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (IATA - VNS, ICAO - VIBN), is the nearest airport situated just 18 km north-west of Varanasi city. Varanasi lies on the daily air tourist shuttle route linking other major tourist places in India such as Khajuraho, Agra and Delhi.

Picture Gallery of Kashi Vishwanath Temple










Google Map of  Kashi Vishwanath Temple  Varanashi