Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Shiva Temple at Varansi in India

Located on the banks of Holy Ganga River, Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Hindu God Shiva in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh in India is the gateway to Moksha (liberation) in Hinduism. A holy dip in the Ganga washes away the sins and purifies the soul, and with the blessing of Kashi Vishwanath one attains moksha.

Legend has it that Shiva first manifested in the form of a fiery Shivling without an end or beginning at Kashi. This is mentioned in the Shiv Purana.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is locatead on the western bank of Ganga and is one of 12 Jyotirlinga temples.

Another legend has it that Shiva wanted to have a south facing temple and thus Kashi Vishwanath Temple came into being. Mahadev Shiva has instructed that before worshipping him, prayers should be offered to Surya, Chandra and Ganesha - the deities are found in the main gate of the temple. There can be no life on earth without Surya. Chandra is one who nourishes the herbs and medicines. Ganesh represents all animate and inanimate in the universe.

As per Skanda Purana, the temple was built in 490 AD. The present structure of the temple was constructed by Queen Ahilya Bai of Indore in 1780 AD. The gold plating of temple was performed in 1839 by 1000 kg donated by Ranjeet Singh, King of Punjab.

The entire Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex is spread over 3000 sq ft area. The main sanctum sanctorum of Kashi Vishwanath is facing south and is nearly 10 X 10 feet. The Shivling is located in a 2 feet deep silver trench. The yoni pitha is constructed uses gold.

In front of the main sanctum sanctorum, there are murtis of Hanuman, Satyanarayan, Goddess Parvati, Goddess Annapurna, Abhimukteshwar Mahadev, Tarkeshwar Mahadev and Bhuvaneshwar Mahadev.

The most important festival at Kashi Vishwanath Temple is Shivratri and Rangbari Ekadasi during Holi. The most sacred period is the Shravan month (July to August).

You can have live darshan of Kashi Vishwanath here - Kashi Vishwanath Darshan