It is said that one single look at this temple has the power to change your life and illuminate soul.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in the very heart of the holy city Varanasi, on the west bank of the River Ganges. Every Hindu devotee is supposed to visit this beautiful temple at least once in his lifetime, so while you are on your tour to India do not miss the opportunity to do the same.

History of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple found its rightful place in Puranas, Hindu religious texts that describe the history of the universe from the moment of its creation, the Hindu philosophy and its gods, heroes and kings. It was destroyed and rebuild many times during its long history but nobody can say for sure when it was built for the first time. It has been recorded that Muhammad Ghori destroyed this temple together with all other temples in Varanasi area during his attack in 12^th century. The new temple was build right after this, but it was destroyed again by the first Muslim ruler in India, Qutb-ud-din Aibak. After his death in 1210, the temple was built again. In 1351 it was demolished and rebuilt in 1585 thanks to the Minister of Akbar the Great. Aurangzeb added his name on the list of destroyers and he even built a Gyanvapi Mosque on its place in 1669. The mosque is now part of the temple complex. The new temple stands from 1780 and it was constructed by Ahilya Bai Holkar.

The structure of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, or, as it is sometimes called, The Golden Temple (because of its dome and spire that have been plated with 1000kg of gold) is dedicated to the Lord Shiva a major Hindu deity. It is the center of faith for millions of Hindu believers. They believe that the very glimpse at the temple (darshan) has the power to clean the soul from the sins and put the person on the road of knowledge and devotion. At least once during their lives they pay a visit to the temple and pour the ashes of their loved ones into the Ganges.

The temple consists of smaller shrines that are dedicated to Avimukteshwara, Dhandapani, Kaalbhairav, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Virupaksha, Virupaksh Gauri and Sanishwara. The Shivalinga (linga that belongs to Shiva, a representation of Shiva that is used for worshiping in temples) is 60cm tall and placed on a silver altar. During the invasion of Akbar, the main priests concealed Shivalinga into the well that is now between the mosque and the new temple, to protect it from the invaders.

Since the visit to this temple, together with bathing in the holy river Ganges is one of the ways to achieve moksha, it does not surprise that this place visit more then 3000 pilgrims and tourists every day. This number grows during the important Hindu festivals, as this is one of the few Hindu temples that are open to everybody, irrespective of their caste or religion. The tradition is that every person who visits the Kashi Vishwanath ought to give up one wish after the visit. Pilgrimage is completed when the holy water of Ganges is taken to the Rameswaram Temple in South India. After the prayer pilgrims take sand from the temple surroundings and bring it back home.

Hindus believe that this is the very spot where first yotirlinga (a pillar of light) broke trough the earth and went to heaven as a sign of Shiva’s supremacy over other gods, so do not miss the opportunity to include it in your India tour itinerary.