Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga: A Sacred and Ancient Temple of Lord Shiva

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines which are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. The temple is located in Vishwanath Gali, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is also known for its golden dome, majestic towers, intricate carvings and corridors, making it a cultural marvel. Visit during One Day Varanasi Sightseeing Trip By Private Cab

The main deity worshipped in the temple is in the form of lingam (an iconic symbol of Shiva). There are also idols of other deities such as Parvati, Ganesha, Durga and Hanuman. Other attractions in the temple include Gyanvapi Mosque (built by Aurangzeb), Annapurna Temple (dedicated to Goddess Annapurna) and Manikarnika Ghat (a cremation ground). Visit during One Day Varanasi Local Sightseeing By Cab

Location of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is about 800 km (497 mi) from Delhi city, which is well connected by flights, trains and buses from various cities in India. The temple can also be reached by road from nearby towns such as Allahabad, Lucknow and Kanpur. The temple is located on the western banks of the Ganges river and offers a splendid view of the holy river and the city.

Timing of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is open for darshan (viewing) from 3 am to 11 pm every day. The temple has five aartis (rituals) daily: at 3 am, 11:15 am, 12 pm, 7 pm and 10:30 pm. The temple also has a special aarti called Mangala Aarti, which is performed at 3 am using lamps and incense. This aarti is considered to be very sacred and auspicious, as it symbolizes the awakening of Shiva and Parvati. The temple charges a nominal fee for entry and photography.

Rituals of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath temple has various rituals and ceremonies that are performed by the priests and devotees throughout the year. Some of the main rituals are:

Abhishek: This is the ritual of bathing the idol of Shiva with water, milk, honey, curd, ghee and other substances. This is done to express devotion and gratitude to Shiva and to seek his blessings. Devotees can perform abhishek by themselves or by booking online through the temple website.
Rudrabhishek: This is a special abhishek that involves chanting the Rudram, a hymn from the Vedas that praises Shiva as the destroyer of evil and the source of all creation. This is done to invoke Shiva’s grace and protection from all kinds of troubles and calamities. Devotees can perform rudrabhishek by themselves or by booking online through the temple website.
Mahapuja: This is a grand puja (worship) that involves offering various items such as flowers, fruits, sweets, clothes and ornaments to Shiva. This is done to express love and reverence to Shiva and to seek his fulfillment of all desires. Devotees can perform mahapuja by themselves or by booking online through the temple website.
Pradakshina: This is the ritual of circumambulating (walking around) the temple in a clockwise direction. This is done to show respect and devotion to Shiva and to imbibe his positive energy and vibrations. Devotees can do pradakshina as many times as they wish.

Importance of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus, especially for Shaivites (followers of Shiva). The temple has a long and rich history, with evidence of its existence dating back to ancient times. The temple has been visited and praised by many saints, poets and kings, such as Adi Shankara, Nayanars, Alvars, Kabir, Tulsidas and Akbar.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is believed to be the place where Shiva manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga, a pillar of light, to prove his supremacy over other gods. The temple is also believed to be the place where Brahma (the creator) and Vishnu (the preserver) had an argument about their supremacy and were tested by Shiva. The temple is also believed to be the place where Shiva cut off Brahma’s fifth head as a punishment for lying and cursed him to be not worshipped. The temple is also believed to be the place where Shiva granted his devotee Markandeya with a boon of immortality after he defied death.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is a symbol of faith, power and devotion for millions of Hindus across the world. The temple attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year, who come to seek the blessings of Shiva and to witness the beauty and history of the temple.

Significance of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath temple has a great significance for Hindus, as it represents one of the aspects of Shiva, the supreme god of Hinduism. Shiva is known by many names and forms, such as Mahadev (the great god), Nataraj (the lord of dance), Rudra (the fierce one), Neelkanth (the blue-throated one), Bholenath (the simple one) and many more. Shiva is also known as Kashi Vishwanath, which means “the lord of Kashi” or “the lord of the universe”.

Kashi Vishwanath is the aspect of Shiva that symbolizes wisdom and liberation. He is the lord who bestows knowledge and enlightenment to his devotees, who seek his guidance and grace. He is the lord who frees his devotees from the cycle of birth and death, who aspire for salvation and bliss. He is the lord who rules over the universe, who creates, sustains and destroys everything.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is dedicated to Shiva as Kashi Vishwanath, who is worshipped as the giver of knowledge, salvation and prosperity. The temple is also dedicated to Shiva as Jyotirlinga, which means “the linga (symbol) of light”. A Jyotirlinga is a representation of Shiva’s infinite power and presence, which can be seen and felt by his devotees. A Jyotirlinga is also a manifestation of Shiva’s grace and compassion, which can heal and transform his devotees.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India, which are considered to be the most sacred shrines of Shiva. Each Jyotirlinga has a different name and story associated with it, which reveals a different aspect of Shiva’s personality and attributes. By visiting and worshipping these Jyotirlingas, devotees can experience the various facets of Shiva’s glory and benevolence.

FAQ’s

Some of the frequently asked questions about the Kashi Vishwanath temple are:

How to reach Kashi Vishwanath temple?
- The Kashi Vishwanath temple can be reached by road, rail or air. The nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, which is about 25 km (16 mi) away from the temple. The nearest railway station is Varanasi Junction railway station, which is about 6 km (4 mi) away from the temple. The temple can also be reached by road from nearby towns such as Allahabad, Lucknow and Kanpur.
When is the best time to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple?
- The best time to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable. The temple can also be visited during festivals such as Mahashivaratri, Shravan Maas, Navratri and Diwali, when the temple is decorated and celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm.
What are the other attractions near Kashi Vishwanath temple?
- There are many other attractions near Kashi Vishwanath temple that can be explored by the visitors. Some of them are:
  - Gyanvapi Mosque: This is a mosque that was built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on the site of an earlier Hindu temple that he demolished. It has a minaret that offers a panoramic view of the city.
  - Annapurna Temple: This is a temple dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, who is considered to be the goddess of food and nourishment. It has a silver idol of the goddess that weighs about 900 kg (1984 lb).
  - Manikarnika Ghat: This is a cremation ground that lies on the banks of the Ganges river. It is considered to be one of the most sacred places for Hindus, who believe that dying here will liberate them from the cycle of birth and death.

Conclusion

The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is a sacred and ancient temple that showcases the power and devotion of Hinduism. The temple is a testimony of the faith and courage of the Hindus, who have preserved and maintained the temple despite several challenges and calamities. The temple is a source of inspiration and solace for millions of pilgrims and tourists, who come to seek the blessings of Shiva and to witness the beauty and history of the temple. The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is not just a temple, but a living legend that embodies the spirit and essence of Hinduism.