Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
काशी विश्वनाथ मंदिर
- Deity
- Shiva
- Location
- Varanasi, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh
- Coordinates
- 25.31° N, 83.01° E
- Open
- All year
Significance
Kashi Vishwanath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and among the most visited temples in India. Shiva is worshipped here as Vishwanath, or Vishweshwara, the lord of the universe, in Varanasi, the city also called Kashi.
History and legend
The original temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times. In 1669 it was demolished on the orders of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and the Gyanvapi mosque was built on its site. The present temple was built on an adjacent site in 1780 by Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.
In 2021 the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor opened, linking the temple directly to the Ganga, and visitor numbers rose sharply.
Before you go
- Queues are long, especially on Mondays and in Shravan; go early in the morning.
- The temple holds several aartis through the day, starting with the Mangala Aarti before dawn; check current timings and booking on the temple’s official site.
- Leave phones and bags in the lockers near the gates if security asks.
Photos
Visiting
- Open
- All year.
- Best time to visit
- October to March
- Darshan timings
- Check with the temple before you travel.
- Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri (February or March)
- Rangbhari Ekadashi, twelve days after Maha Shivaratri
- Mondays of Shravan (July to August)
Where to stay
Pilgrims usually stay in Varanasi. The lanes and ghats near the temple are full of small guest houses, some very basic; the area around Varanasi Junction is quieter.
Southern Grand, Kashi (Bhimashankar Guest House)Run by the temple
Inside the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor
The temple trust's own guest house, with rooms and dormitory beds.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Wikidata: Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Q3675)
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple: guest house
- Wikivoyage: Varanasi
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