Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples in India and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also known as a golden temple of lord shiva.It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, the holiest existing place of Hindus. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganges, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. The main deity is known by the name Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara meaning Ruler of the universe. The temple town, which claims to be the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history, is also called Kashi and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The temple has been referred to in Hindu scriptures for a very long time and as a central part of worship in the Shaiva philosophy. It has been destroyed and re-constructed a number of times in the history. The last structure was demolished by Aurganzeb, who constructed the Gyanvapi Mosque on its site. The current structure was built on an adjacent site by the Maratha monarch, Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780.

Since 1983, the temple has been managed by the government of Uttar Pradesh. During the religious occasion of Shivratri, Kashi Naresh (King of Kashi) is the chief officiating priest and no other person or priest is allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum. It is only after he performs his religious functions that others are allowed to enter.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple has most religious importance for the worship in the Hindu religion. Many great Hindu saints (like Adi Sankaracharya, Goswami Tulsidas, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda, Gurunanak etc) had came to the Varanasi to take bath in the holy water of the Gange and for the Darshan of the Jyotirlinga. It is believed that the one who will take bath (at least once in the lifetime) in the Gange in the holy city Varanasi will get Moksha. True devotees of the Lord Shiva get freedom from the cycle of the death and birth. After death they directly intermingled into the Mahadev. People beliefs that the one who decided to end their life at the temple, Lord Shiva himself drive a mantra of freedom in his ear.

Details about the Shiva temple is described in the Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana. Kashi Vishwanath temple was constructed by the Hari Chandra in the 11th century. The temple was destroyed and reconstructed many times. The current construction is done by the Hindu Maratha queen of Malwa kingdom, Ahilya Bai Holkar.

Opening time of the temple is--3:00 am

Aarti time is-- 3:00 am to 4.00 am

How to reach?

Varanasi is easily accessible from all parts of the country. Very well connected by road, rail and air, the City of. offers convenient and comfortable travelling options to and from other cities of India.

By Air
Indian Airlines flies to Babatpur airport which is 22 km. from Varanasi and 30 km. from Sarnath There is a. direct, daily flight connection between Varanasi and New Delhi. It also connects Varanasi to Delhi, Agra,. Khajuraho, Calcutta, Mumbai, Lucknow and Bhuvaneshwar. For travel reservations contact Indian Airlines.

By Train
Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. The city is served by trains from all metros and major cities across the country. New Delhi, mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Gwalior, Meerut, indore, Guwahati, Allahbad, Lucknow, Dehradun… the city has direct rail connections.

Varanasi Cantt Railway Station Enquiry number 135.

Some important trains from Varanasi station are

Kashi Vishwanath Express (Varanasi-Delhi)
Shramjivi Express (Patna- Varanasi-Delhi)
Farakka Express (MaldaTown-Varanasi-Bhiwani)
Saryu-Yamuna Express (Muzzafarpur-Varanasi-delhi)
Mahanagri Express (Varanasi-Mumbai)
Pawan Express (Varanasi-Mumbai)
Sabermati Express (Varanasi-Ahamedabad)
Ganga-Kaveri Express (Varanasi-Chennai)
Purva Express (Howrah-Varanasi-Delhi)
Himgiri Express (Jammu-Varanasi-Howrah)
Siyaldah Express (Varanasi-Jammu Tawi)
Marudhar Express (Varanasi / Agra /Jaipur)
From Mughal Sarai Station: (16 Km. from Varanasi) Train from Mughal Sarai Station are
Rajdhani Express (Howrah – Mughal Sarai- Delhi)
Toofan Express (Howrah- Mughal Sarai- Delhi)
North East Super Fast Express (Delhi –Mughal Sarai-Guwahati)
Magadh Express (Delhi- Mughal Sarai – Patna).

By Road

Varanasi, on (National Highway) NH2 from Calcutta to Delhi, NH7 to Kanya Kumari and NH29 to GoraKhpur is connected literally to the rest of the country by good motorable, all – weather roads. Some important road distances are: Agra 565 km., Allahabad 128 km., Bhopal 791 km., Bodhgaya 240 km., Kanpur 330 km., Khajuraho 405 km., Lucknow 286 km., patna 246 km., Sarnath 10 km., Lumbini (Napal) 386 km., Kushi Nagar 250 km. (via Gorkhpur), UPSRTC Bus Stand, Sher Shah Suri Marg, Golgadda Bus Stand.

Local Transport
Taxis:
Private taxis are available from travel agencies, hotels, etc., auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and Tempos are also readily available.
Left Luggage Facility: Left luggage facility is available at both the Varanasi and Mughalsarai railway stations(24 Hours).

Map