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 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.
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