Everything About How Kashi Vishwanath Temple In Varanasi

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the most popular temples of Lord Shiva. Standing on the western banks of the holy Ganga, this serene temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is located amidst the crowded lanes in the holy city of Varanasi. It is believed that Varanasi is the place where the first Jyotirlinga manifested itself. This was that fiery pillar of light which broke from the earth’s crust and flared right to the Heaven. It was through this light that Lord Shiva proclaimed His Supremacy over all the other Gods. Thus, the Kashi Vishwanath temple, also known as the Shri Vishweshwar Temple, is said to be dear to Lord Shiva.

The lane that reaches up to the Kashi Vishwanath temple is called Vishwanatha lane. Visit the temple and you are sure to be enthralled for this temple is indeed an architectural masterpiece. The magnificent edifice has gold plating on its 15.5-meter spire (also called the gold chatra) which gives it another popular name which is ‘The Golden Temple!’

Inside the temple, towards the North side, there is a well called the ‘Jnana Vapi’ or the wisdom well. The sanctum of the temple holds the linga that is set in the centre of the floor in a square silver altar.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple has been rebuilt several times. It is believed that the original temple was built in 1490. This vintage temple was destroyed during a Mughal invasion and King Aurangzeb built a mosque in place of it. Till today, the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Gyanvapi Mosque stand adjacent to one another. It is said that when Aurangzeb decided to destroy the temple, the idol of Lord Shiva was hidden in the Jnana Vapi in order to protect it from getting destroyed. The well still stands between the temple and the mosque.

The latest structure that is standing tall today dates back to the 18th century. It is said that Lord Shiva came in the dream of Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore and she built this current temple in 1777.