The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of India’s most revered Hindu temples. It is located across the banks of the iconic river Ganga. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Varanasi is also a place known for Patanjali, the creator of Ayurveda. Since Buddha had given his first sermon here it is a significant Buddhist city.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the seven holiest cities in India. It has been mentioned in the religious text Skanda Purana. Let us discover the magic of this temple by exploring the history, architectural beauty, custom and rituals associated with this temple, the details of the darshan and other important details of this iconic pilgrimage.
Kashi Vishwanath temple story
In Kashi Vishwanath temple story Lord Brahma; the Hindu God related to the act of creating the universe and Lord Vishnu who is the Hindu god for maintaining harmony on earth, fought for the supremacy of their powers. To ascertain their powers, Lord Shiva pierced the three worlds with force in the shape of light, the jyotirlinga. This battle led to the defeat of Vishnu since Brahma had lied that he had an intuition that Vishnu had lost. Once Shiva learned this guile he appeared as a second pillar of light and cursed Brahma that he would not have the see the honour of being worshipped during celebrations while Vishnu would be worshipped.
According to history, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has encountered many destructions and reconstructions. The original temple was made by King Vikramaditya, but it could not survive long. The temple was continuously demolished by various invaders and was rebuilt by Hindu rulers.
Kashi Vishwanath temple history
In the 11th century, the temple faced destruction at the hands of Mahmud of Ghazni. It was later rebuilt by Hindu rulers and restored the temple for its sanctity. Another important destruction happened in the 17th century when the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb instructed the demolition of the temple. Gyanvapi Mosque was built adjacent to the temple today.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple was constructed in 1780 by the Maratha queen, Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. She was dedicated to Hinduism and has rebuilt many sites in India. Kashi Vishwanath Temple’s gold-plated spire and dome, add to its splendour, were further added in the 19th century by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga:
Mahadev, the Lord incorporates the holiness of all the twelve JyotirLingas. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is known for one of twelve jyotirlingas.
Those who chant the Jyotirlinga Strotram or prayer will attain enlightenment and attain moksha. By doing pooja of lingas worshippers get free of all difficulties irrespective of caste or creed. By eating the holy offering called Naivedyam one could get rid of all the sins.
Kashi Vishwanath corridor:
For centuries pilgrims have taken a bath in holy Ganga. Gangajal is often offered to the temple. Due to continuous encroachment in the immediate vicinity of Kasha Vishwanath temple, this tradition was getting lost. Our PM desired to restore this tradition. It also became a herculean task for the pilgrims to reach the temple. To restore this tradition, PM Modi came up with the idea of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor to link the River Ganga with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
With a vision to revive and make the sacred kshetra at Varanasi more accessible for devotees PM laid the foundations of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Vistarikaran- Saundarayakaran Yojana. The objectives of the project are ease of access to devotees by connecting Kashi Vishwanath temple with the Ghats of Ganga with a paved path which would be 320 long and 20 meters wide.The plan also has a vision of a Yatri Suvidha Kendra (Tourist Facilitation Centre), Mumuksha Bhavan (Salvation Home),a Mandir Chowk, a museum, library, auditorium, bhogsala, shops, cafes and other public utilities.
Kashi Vishwanath corridorplans to restore the former temples. Kashi Khandha talks about the 30 temples situated in corridor. This project envisions to enhance the pilgrims spiritual journey.
Kashi Vishwanath Mandir trust:
The Kashi Vishwanath Mandir trust property is owned by Trust & operated under supervision of the Trust. The trust provides various online pooja booking services and donation services
Kashi Vishwanath online booking:
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple trust provides online services for booking of pujas.
Please find the different poojas below:
Sugam Darshan
This is a process for quick queue-less, hassle-free darshan experience. It has been designed for pilgrims with timing issues, divyangs or any such disability who cannot afford to wait in queue. In this process a Shastri accompanies the devotee for darshan directly without queue and Prasad is provided to the pilgrim.
There are four types of aarti which is Mangla Aarti , Mid Day Bhog Aarti, Sapt Rishi Aarti and Shringaar / Bhog Aarti.Following is the details of each aarti
Mangla Aarti:
Details
Mangla aarti is important because it is first aarti in the morning. The Scriptures talk of the “Brahma muhurta” hour. It means one hour and a half before the sun comes up. This time is very auspicious.
Cost-Rs.500
Mid Day Bhog Aarti:
Details
Every noon, Bhog Aarti is performed in Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is second Aarti after Mangla Aarti. Bhog Aarti is offering of food to Lord who gives this food to us.
Cost-Rs.300
Sapt Rishi Aarti:
The Sapta Rishi Aarti is an ancient ritual dating back to more than 750 years. The seven Shastri/Pandit/Purohit each belonging to a different Gotra perform the Aarti simultaneously.
Cost-Rs.300
Shringaar / Bhog Aarti:
Details
Every Evening, Shringar Bhog Aarti is performed in Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is fourth Aarti of the day after Sapt Rishi Aarti.
Cost-Rs.300
Rudrabhishek:
Rudra is name of Lord Shiva. The importance of this puja is the holy chant of Sri Rudram from the Yajur Veda and giving a holy bath to Shivling with many things including Panchamrit. This is one of the most potent forms of worships in Hinduism and blesses the devotees prosperity and peace and remove the sins of many births. Shiva is a highly benevolent God.
The Rudrabhishek costs around Rs.4500.
Below are the varies puja which devotees can perform:
Sanyasi Bhojan (Monday)
Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are many rituals related to Somvar Vrath and Puja. When one offers food to sanyasis it is a great act of kindness. The cost of this puja is Rs.4500.
Akhand Deep
Akhand Jyoti puja eradicate sorrows and surrender to deliver divine. Thousands of devotees daily come for its Darshan and seek blessings. It can be done by donating a specific amount to the temple trust which performs this puja.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple live darshan
The online darshan facility of trust wherein they broadcast live feed of the sanctum sanctorum for devotees all around the world. This service is free for all devotees irrespective of any barriers.
Kashi Vishwanath temple varanasi timings
The Temple opens daily at 2:30 A.M. The Mangala Aarti is performed at 3 to 4 A.M.
From 4 to 11 AM the temple remains open for general Darshan. From 11:30 to 12 AM MidDay Bhog Aarti is performed by the priests where a range of prasadam is offered to the Lords. Again from 12 Noon to 7 PM devotees are free to have Darshan of the Baba.
In the evening, from 7 to 8:30 PM, Sapta Rishi Aarti is done after which darshan is again possible up till 9:00 PM when Shringar/Bhog Aarti starts.
Shayan Aarti starts at 10:30 PM and the Temple closes at 11 PM.
Varanasi station to Kashi Vishwanath temple distance:
- The distance between Varanasi junction and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is around four and half kilometres.
- By car it takes fifteen minutes.
- There are also many buses from Varanasi Railway station to Kashi Vishwanath Temple distance and the trip takes around thirty minutes.
- The easiest way from Varanasi Junction to Kashi Vishwanath Temple is by rickshaw, which takes about twenty-five minutes.
Best time to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple:
The best time to visit Varanasi is to travel from November to February. Since in winters temperature is low and there is a pleasant climate throughout the day it is advisable to visit Varanasi at this time. Summers in Varanasi experience have high temperature and are very dry. Summers are very hot and dry and outdoor activities becomes a problem. Monsoons are pleasant with mild and heavier rainfalls but winters time is best to travel here to get a surreal experience.
Flocking of large crowds, chanting of beautiful mantras and ring of bells makes Kashi Vishwanath temple a must visit for pilgrims. In Hinduism it is said that going to Kashi Vishwanath temple and taking bath in river Ganga is a path to liberation. In Mahashivaratri a procession takes place from the Mahamrityunjaya Temple to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Kashi Vishwanath temple also provides the diversity and history of Varanasi, and one can enjoy its historical attractions and activities.
