Sri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, situated in the heart of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Vishwanath or Vishveshwara, meaning “Lord of the Universe.” It is famously one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, where Shiva is believed to have manifested as an infinite pillar of light, a story deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to legend, Brahma and Vishnu once argued over their supremacy, prompting Shiva to appear as a blazing column of light that had no beginning or end. Vishnu, taking the form of a boar, searched underground for the base, while Brahma, in the shape of a swan, tried to find the top. Vishnu admitted his failure humbly, but Brahma deceitfully claimed he had found the summit. Angered by this falsehood, Shiva cursed Brahma that he would not be widely worshipped, while Vishnu earned equal reverence. This story underscores the spiritual importance of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located in Varanasi—the holiest city in Hinduism, believed to be the first place where the Jyotirlinga manifested. Historically, the temple has faced cycles of destruction and rebuilding. The original Adi Vishveshwar Temple was razed by Muhammad of Ghor in 1194 during his invasions. Later, Mughal emperors such as Aurangzeb demolished the temple again in 1669 and constructed the Gyanvapi Mosque on its site, though the temple was rebuilt nearby multiple times, notably by Raja Man Singh and Todar Mal during Akbar’s reign. The current iconic structure was commissioned by the Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780 on an adjacent site and is renowned for its gleaming gold-plated spire, which was enhanced by Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s donation of one tonne of gold in 1835. The temple complex includes several smaller shrines and a sacred well called the Jnana Vapi, where it is said the temple’s lingam was hidden to protect it from invaders. In modern times, the temple has seen major renovations, including the ambitious Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021, which connects the temple to the banks of the Ganges and has revitalized the area by restoring ancient temples and creating a grand pilgrimage path. The temple draws thousands of devotees daily, especially during festivals such as Maha Shivaratri and Rangabhari Ekadashi, continuing centuries-old traditions that celebrate Shiva’s divine presence. Kashi Vishwanath Temple stands not only as a spiritual beacon promising liberation (moksha) to pilgrims but also as a symbol of resilience and faith through India’s turbulent history, embodying the enduring devotion to Shiva as the cosmic lord and the heart of Varanasi’s sacred identity.