Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi
Kashi Vishwanath temple has existed for thousands of years, but the temple was re-constructed by a Maratha monarch (Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore) in the year 1780. People from walrus regions of India come to pay a visit to this beautifully crafted temple and show “bhakti” towards Lord Shiva.
The temple makes Varanasi a successful tourist spot because of its substantial religious contribution and importance to Hindu culture.
The temple’s domes were covered by gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab ( ruler of Punjab). Now the temple has become a property of the government of Uttar Pradesh.
Where is Kashi Vishwanath temple/mandir?
Kashi Vishwanath temple is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located on the Western part of the banks of the Ganges; the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and contains one(1) of the twelve(12) jyotirlingas, considered one of the holiest Shiva temples.
How to reach Kashi Vishwanath temple?
There are three ways of reaching the Kashi Vishwanath mandir.
1. By Road or Bus
For people who are comfortable having a long journey, a journey by road or Bus will be suitable; Varanasi has wide and Long connected roads that will lead people towards their destination.
People will easily find Bus, autos, taxis, or any other vehicle just as all major cities should contain.
Reaching the temple along with the Vishwanath Gali will provide you with a sight of various sweet shops with delicious sweets in them and multiple clothes shops and puja items shops.
2. By train-
Varanasi is very well connected to the railways, and the temple is close to numerous railway stations. The Varanasi junction is just six (6) kilometres from the main temple, and the Varanasi city station is just two (2) kilometres away from the main temple.
Pt. Din Dayal Upaddhay Junction is the furthest, seventeen kilometres (17 km), but the Manduadih station is located within a four-kilometres (4 km ) radius of the main mandir.
Almost all of these stations are well connected with roads so visitors can reach their destination without a problem.
3. By air-
The Lal Bahadur Shastri airport is the closest international airport to Kashi Vishwanath mandir. This airport is located in Babatpur, and people who want to travel fast and do not prefer long and tiring journeys can use the flight and reach Kashi Vishwanath mandir.
Recently, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor project that connects to the Vishwanath temple and the ghats along the Ganges makes it a trouble-free experience for the visitors and the bhakts.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple address
- Lahori Tola,
- Varanasi,
- Uttar Pradesh -221001
History of Kashi Vishwanath temple
The temple is located in the holy city of Varanasi on the western bank of the river Ganges. It consists of one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and this temple has extraordinary importance in the history of India. People are attracted to the Kashi Vishwanath temple from all over the world.
The government of Uttar Pradesh took the management of this beautiful temple on 28th January 1983. This temple was constructed by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in the year 1780. A naubat khana (in the front phase of the temple) was built by Collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan in the year 1785.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab offered the two beautiful domes of the temple covered in gold in 1839. The third dome was plated with gold by the government of Uttar Pradesh’s ministry of religious and cultural affairs.
Before Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar, many rulers tried reconstructing the structure but failed as they were invaded by invaders who destroyed the work every time. The temple has witnessed many attacks and several resurrections.
Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction, is associated with death and timelessness; his devotees or bhakts visit to seek liberation from the cycle of birth, life, and death. All the visitors consider the town of Kashi Viswanath a holy town and recommend visiting there once in a lifetime. Experiencing the aura of the place is a more beautiful feeling, as expressed by many visitors.
It is also believed that Lord Shiva’s messengers take the devotees on their final life journey. Folklore also indicates that Lord shiva chants holy mantra or salvation in the ears of his devotees who think of staying the rest of their life in Kashi Vishwanath.
This is a very sacred Hindu sight. Many great personalities like Swami Vivekanand, Bamakhyapa, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, and many others. This jyotirlinga is considered religious, and visiting this jyotirlinga is equivalent to seeing the other eleven (11) jyotirlinga.
Kashi Khand of Skanda Purana mentions details about the shiva temple. The temple was invaded and destroyed many times, and finally, it was reconstructed by the Hindu Maratha queen, Ahilya Bai Holkar.
Who built the Kashi Vishwanath temple?
Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built the Kashi Vishwanath temple, also known as the eighteenth (18th century) golden temple.
Vishwanath Gali:
Vishwanath Gali, located in Varanasi, is the way to Kashi Vishwanath temple; one who wants to visit the temple may pass through the Vishwanath Gali.
Vishwanath Gali is famous for ladies’ products and Sweet shops with delicious sweets. It is also renowned for shops selling puja goods and many more. People can buy the products they want at a low price and range according to their satisfaction.
Significance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple:
This has a fundamental significance for Hindus; several great Hindu saints like Goswami Tulsidas, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, and many more have visited this place and have also taken a bath in the holy water of the Ganges that is told to remove all the evil thoughts from our mind and body.
It is also believed that one who takes a bath in the holy water of Varanasi’s Ganges will attain Moksha. The true bhakts or devotees of Lord Shiva visit here to get freedom from the continuous cycle of birth, life, and finally, death. It is believed people who decide to spend the rest of their life in the temple, lord shiva himself chants a mantra in their ears. It is said people will attain Moksha if they visit the holy place once in their whole lifetime.
Kashi Vishwanath temple shivling (Jyotirling)
Jyotirlinga means sacred or divine shrines of Lord Shiva, and it is believed that lord Shiva visited this place, making it a holy place for the devotee of lord shiva.
Jyotirlinga means “pillar of light”; the stumble symbol represents no beginning or end. It is believed that when Lord Brahma, the creator, and Lord Vishnu, the protector, were arguing about being the supreme. Lord Shiva suddenly appeared as a column of light, Brahma went in the upward direction to find its end, and Vishnu went in the downwards trend to see the light’s end. Both of them failed to do the task, so the column of light has no beginning or end. It is believed the places where the column of light feel the jyotirlingas were established.
Out of the twelve jyotirlingas, Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is considered the holiest shrine in the world.
It is believed that this place was the residence of Lord Shiva himself, along with his mother-in-law. His mother-in-law was not happy with the home they lived in, so she told Shiva about this. Lord shiva requested a demon named Nikhumba to make a suitable place for his family to stay.
After the creation of this place, Devi Parvati was very impressed with the new site, and she offered everyone food, so she is called Annapurna or Annapoorani. It is also believed that lord shiva then took a bowl and sat in front of Devi Parvati for food.
History of jyotirlingas
It is mentioned that the temple was demolished in 1194 by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak (in the Puranas) and then by many more invaders. Aurangzeb also destroyed this place and built a mosque over here in the year 1669.
It was also rebuilt by several people, including the great Mughal emperor Akbar’s general Raja man Singh and the finance minister of Akbar’s court, Raja Toder mal.
Kashi Vishwanath temple time
The temple opens at three(3 am) in the morning.
Aarti timings
Mangala Aarti : three(3 AM)-four (4 AM) (Morning)
Bhog Aarti : eleven fifteen(11.15 AM) to twelve twenty(12.20 PM) (Day)
Sandhya Aarti: seven(7 pm) to eight fifteen (8.15 pm) (Evening)
Shringar Aarti : nine(9 PM) to ten-fifteen (10.15 PM) (Night)
Shayan Aarti : ten thirty (10.30 PM) – eleven(11 PM) (Night)
Kashi Vishwanath temple entry fee-
There is absolutely no cost taken for entering the temple, there are locker shops where you can place your electronic gadgets, and in the same place, you will find various items for puja purposes like flowers and sweets, only those are chargeable.
These are a few times when bhakts or people can visit to have a Kashi Vishwanath temple live darshan.
In the nighttime, when Diyas are lit and are put on the Ganges to float, that is truly a magnificent and eye-capturing moment. At the time of Aarti, the faces of the pujaris can be seen lit up with bhakti, providing extreme relief to the eyes and heart.
The distributed bhog or prasad is considered sacred; people consuming it will erase evil thoughts and not come in contact with evil spirits. The bhog is for all the people there; there is no discrimination.
Darshan timings
The darshan timing is from four (4 am) in the morning to eleven (11 pm) at night.
The Live darshan can be done from https://shrikashivishwanath.org website
Rudrabhishek booking
The Rudrabhishek timing is from four (4 am) to six(6 pm). The bhakts or devotees need to book it in advance.
The bhakts or devotees need to go to the counter and book for Rudrabhishek.
Rudrabhishek (1 Shastri) Rs 450.00
Rudrabhishek (5 Shastri) Rs 1380.00
Rudrabhishek (11 Shastri) Rs 2600.00
Laghu Rudra (11 Shastri) Rs 5500.00
Maharudra (11 Shastri) 11 Days Rs 57100.00
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor in Varanasi connects the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple and the ghats along the river Ganga. The project aims to ensure easy movement of pilgrims and devotees between the ghats and the temple. Earlier, they had to pass through congested streets to reach the temple.
It was constructed at the cost of around Rs 339 crore. Many buildings have been built so far. They provide facilities to the pilgrims visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, including Yatri Suvidha Kendras, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Vedic Kendra, Mumukshu Bhavan, Bhogshala, City Museum, Viewing Gallery, and Food Court, among others. Some salient features of Kashi Vishwanath corridor are following-
- The corridor has waiting rooms for the people who are tired and need to take a rest.
- The corridor is fifty (50) feet long along the side of the Ganges, making it attractive for tourists and more effortless for tourists to visit the temple.
- An auditorium and a museum are constructed that have the history of Varanasi. This also depicts their culture.
- People now have particular areas created for performing Havana and many more.
- For priests, pilgrims, and volunteers, unique lodges are provided.
- Food is served to attract more tourists.
- An auditorium is constructed to perform different meetings, temple functions, and gatherings.
- A Ganga view gallery is constructed so people can view the Ganges.
- The ghat has an escalator that helps the people to reach the mandir more comfortably.
Kashi Vishwanath temple opening time
The temple opens at three(3 am) in the morning.
Kashi Vishwanath temple darshan ticket booking-
There is no cost for entering the temple. Still, the devotees need to pay extra for worship and Abhishek in the month of Sawan in Kashi Vishwanath temple. The Sugam Darshan on Monday of Sawan costs Rs 750 per person, while on other days except for Monday, the price of this ticket has been kept at Rs 500.
Kashi Vishwanath temple ticket price-
There are no fees for entering the temple. There are locker rooms for keeping electronic gadgets where all necessary puja items can be found; it starts from a minimum price of rs 100.
Nandi in Kashi Vishwanath temple
Nandi is the vahana of lord shiva, and he stands at the place where lord shiva is in deep meditation, noticing that there are no problems around. People whisper in Nandi’s ears their wishes or dreams, and it is believed that Nandi conveys those messages to lord shiva. Lord Shiva is busy in meditation, so Nandi takes up the work to listen to lord Shiva’s bhakts and share their message with lord shiva.
Kashi Vishwanath temple Nandi face
Amid the Gyanvapi Masjid controversy, a collage of two images, one featuring a statue of Nandi — the bull “vahana” of the Hindu deity Shiva — and the other showing the Gyanvapi Masjid, went viral with the claim that the Nandi idol was from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and it faced the mosque.
Kashi Vishwanath temple trust
The trustees of the temple are
- CHIEF TRUSTEE: SRI RAMESWAR PURI JI. MAHANT. …
- MANAGING TRUSTEE. SMT. S.RADHAMANI. …
- EXECUTIVE TRUSTEE. K.JANARDHANA SARMA. H NO.-B-14/84, A-1. …
- TREASURER. SRI V.K.JINDAL. 10-11, KALIYA NAGAR COLONY. …
- TRUSTEES.
- MAHANT. GOSWAMI SRI SUBHASH PURI JI. ANNAPURNA MATH TEMPLE. …
- UPA MAHANT. SRI SHANKAR PURI. ANNAPURNA MATH TEMP
Dharamshala near Kashi Vishwanath temple
Many Dharamshala near Kashi Vishwanath temple; they can be reserved online using apps like making my trip or Trivago and many more. These dharamshalas are busy all the time; it is suggested before visiting Kashi Vishwanath temple, make a reservation and then start your journey.
Kashi Vishwanath temple Gyan Vapi mosque dispute
The dispute ” mandir – masjid” favoured the Hindus, claiming that the shiv linga was found in the temple. The court bans large Muslim gatherings and prayers in the mosque.
Varanasi to Kashi Vishwanath temple distance
The distance is about three(3 km ) kilometres, and it is suggested to take an auto or taxi on the way as it is a long distance. It will cost about RS hundred(100) to two hundred(200).
Airport near Kashi Vishwanath temple
The airport near Kashi Vishwanath Varanasi (VNS) airport.
Kashi Vishwanath temple nearest railway station
The Varanasi junction is just six (6) kilometres from the main temple, and the Varanasi city station is just two (2) kilometres away from the main temple.
Hotels near Kashi Vishwanath temple
Finding hotels is not a big deal in today’s generation. The whole thing can be quickly done online internet. Websites like make my trip, Trivago, and many more offer excellent cheap to luxurious, high-quality rooms to stay at a reasonable price.
The room rates can vary from Rs five hundred (500) a night to Rs two thousand five hundred a night (2500). It depends on your budget and the type of hotel you are looking for. Hotels can differ from three-star to five-star, all depending on your living standards.
There are many hotels near Kashi Vishwanath mandir. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Shiva Inn (0.6 km away from mandir)
- Ganpati Guest House (0.5km away from mandir)
- Ganpati Guest House(0.7km away from mandir)
- Monalisa hotel (1.2km away from the mandir)
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the distance between Varanasi and Kashi?
Ans-The distance is about three(3 km ) kilometres, and it is suggested to take an auto or taxi on the way as it is a long distance. It will cost about RS hundred(100) to two hundred(200).
Q: Is there a parking lot for Kashi Vishwanath temple?
Ans – No, there is no parking lot near Kashi Vishwanath. If someone brings a car, that person needs to park the car far away from the temple.
Q: Is there any VIP passes for Kashi Vishwanath?
Ans- yes, VIP passes are available, which cost RS three hundred (300) each. The special darshan may or may not be available on special occasions or festivals.
Ans-When does the Kashi Vishwanath temple close?
Ans-
Monday-
4:00 am – 11:00 am
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tuesday-
4:00 am – 11:00 am
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday-
4:00 am – 11:00 am
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday-
4:00 am – 11:00 am
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday-
4:00 am – 11:00 am
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday-
4:00 am – 11:00 am
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday-
4:00 am – 11:00 am
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Ans- What is the height of the Kashi Vishwanath temple?
Ans- this is one of the tallest temples in India; its height is about seventy-seven meters. (77m). Approximately three thousand (3000) people visit here daily, and on occasions, it reaches about ten thousand(10000) or more.
Ans- Does Kashi Vishwanath temple distribute prasad?
Ans – Yes, the bhog or prasad that is distributed is considered sacred; people consuming it will erase evil thoughts and not come in contact with evil spirits.
Ans- What is the distance from Bangalore to Kashi Vishwanath temple?
Ans- The road distance is about 1782 KM; driving there would take about one (1 day), eleven hours (11 hrs), and thirty-eight minutes(38 min).