The
Kashi Vishwanath temple is located in the heart of the cultural
capital of India, Varanasi. It stands on the western bank
of India's holiest river Ganges. Varanasi, or Banaras, situated
amidst the crowded lanes of Varanasi, the temple of Vishwanatha
can be approached from a lane called Vishwanatha lane. The
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as Golden Temple is the
most sacred and main temple of Varanasi and it is dedicated
to Lord Shiva or Vishveswara (Vishwanath), the presiding deity
of the city. It is more popular due to the Gold plating done
on its 15.5 meter high spire. One ton of gold donated by Maharaja
Ranjit Singh has been used in the gold plating of the spire.
The Temple (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living
cities in the world. Varanasi is so old that it is a part
of Indian mythology and finds mention in the epics Ramayana
and Mahabharata. Through the ages Varanasi was also known
variously as "Avimuktaka", "Anandakanana",
"Mahasmasana", "Surandhana", "Brahma
Vardha", "Sudarsana", "Ramya" and
"Kasi" or Kashi - 'the City of Light". The
oldest living city in the world, Varanasi is the ultimate
destination of all Hindu pilgrims searching for moksha from
the cycle of birth and re-birth. The Kashi Vishwanath temple
is the center of faith for millions of Hindus. The Jyotirlinga
of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, is enshrined in the
Kashi Vishwanath temple, considered as one of the holiest
temples of India.
In Hindu religion it is believed that a simple glimpse of
the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms
life and puts it on the path of knowledge and Bhakti (devotion).
A single darshan of Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga is considered
to merit more than the darshan of other jyotirlingas, scattered
in various parts of India. The word ‘Kashi’ originated from
the word ‘Kas’ which means to shine. Stepped in tradition
and mythological legacy, Kashi is the ‘original ground’ created
by Lord Shiva and Parvati, upon which they stood at the beginning
of time.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. More than the Ghats and even
the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remains
the devotional focus of Varansi. It is open only to Hindus.
Inside the courtyard is the temple of Vishwanatha surrounded
by many subsidiary shrines. It is in the heart of this city
that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath
Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara
or Vishwanatha.
The original temple was located across the road, but it 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 Ahalya Bai of Indore in 1776.This
mosque has minarets towering 71 metres above the Ganges. Now
the new Vishwanath Temple situated in the premises of Banaras
Hindu University, it is managed by the reputed industrialists
- the Birla family.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living picture of the
timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values.
A cluster of five lingas enclosed in a temple is called Nilakantheshvar
temple. Just above the Avimukteshvara Vinayaka are temples
of Shanishchara and Virupaksha. To the right just near the
entrance is the temple enshrining a linga called Avimukteshvara.
There is a controversy regarding the original Jyotirlinga
at the place, which suggests that not the Vishwanatha but
the Avimukteshvara is the original Jyotirlinga. Situated amidst
the crowded lanes of Varanasi, the temple of Vishwanatha can
be approached from a lane called Vishwanatha lane. Inside
the courtyard is the temple of Vishwanatha surrounded by many
subsidiary shrines. There is a well, called Jnana Vapi i.e.
wisdom well located to the north of the main temple. As one
enters the temple from the southern side the first temple
to the left of the pilgrim are three temples in a row one
behind the other, Vishnu, Virupakshi Gauri and Avimukta Vinayaka.
The Vishwanath temple opens daily at 2.30 A.M. for Mangala
Aarti and between 3 to 4 A.M. ticket holders are permitted
to join. The timing of general Darshan is from 4 to 11 A.M.
The timing for midday Bhog Aarti is from11.30 to 12 A.M. Between
12 noon to 7 P.M., general devotees are free to have Darshan.
From 7 to 8.30 P.M. the Sapta Rishi Aarati is held after which
Darshan is possible again till 9 P.M. At 9 P.M. the Shringar/Bhog
Aarati starts and after that Darshan is possible only from
outside. Shayana Aarti starts at 10.30 P.M. and the temple
closes at 11 P.M. Most of the offerings at the Kashi Vishwanath
temple are given to poor. The Golden Temple or Kashi Vishwanath
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built by Ahalya Bai of
Indore in 1776 and 800 kg of gold plating on the towers were
provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. The Shivlinga
in the temple is the main devotional focus of the city. Next
to the Temple is a Well known as the Gyan Kapur Kuan (well
of knowledge). This temple was renovated by Maharani Khaneti
,wife of Sudarshan Shah in 1857.The temple has a Shivling
(60 cm. high and 90 Cm. Circumference).People from all over
India do also visit the Vishvanath temple during their visits
to Uttarkashi, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Vishwanatha temple
consists of a mandapa and a sanctum. Inside the sanctum a
linga is set into the center of the floor in a square silver
altar. The Linga is of black stone. Though the interior of
the temple is not large and elaborate it presents the peaceful
atmosphere ideal for worship.
The five Aaratis of Mahadev is very famous. At this time Shiva
is decorated with leaves shaded under huge cobra. Thousands
of people come in this time to visit the decorated Vishwanath.Kashi
Vishwanath Shiva Lingam in Golden Temple, which has seen many
of its destructions is the symbol of mysterious cosmos, which
attracts many thousands hindus to offer Ganges-water daily.
It is the belief of the people of Banaras is that Baba Vishwanath
is responsible for the happiness and sadness of the lives
of the people of Banaras. Legend maintains that Lord Shiva
manifested himself in the from of a lingam at 12 holy cities
in India, Varanasi being one of them.These lingams we known
as JYOTIRLINGAMS. To the side of the temple is Gyan-Kupor('The
well of Knowledge'). The Jyotirlingam of the original Vishwanath
Temple, is believed to be hidden in the well by his devotees
to protect it from the early Muslim invaders.
