Description
Varanasi is the place of immaculate wisdom and cultural importance. Kashi vishwanatha temple got its name from city 'Kashi' also known as 'Varanasi', Uttarpradesh, India. Varanasi is situated on the banks of river Ganga. Varanasi has a history of more than thousand years. Varanasi is the sacred place of Hindu religion. It accommodates one of the twelve Jyotirilingas. Vishwanatha is the main God of the temple. It is also an important centre for pilgrimage in Hindu tradition .Temple is in the direct management of Uttarpradesh Government.
History
Kashi Vishwanath temple succumbed to many attacks in the past but prevailed all of them. Temple had been destroyed and built number of times. It was attacked mainly by the moghul emperor like Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Hussain Shah Sharqi and Aurangzeb. Aurangazeb was responsible for establishment of Mosque in temple premises. People like Raja Man Singh , Ahilyabai Holkar and Ranjit Singh with their benevolence made immense contribution to the temple. Many noble families from various ancestral kingdoms of India and their prior establishments made generous contributions for the operations of the temple.
Importance/Significance
In Hindu religion Kashi vishwanath is revered as holiest place of worship and visited by most of the prominent saints of India. People tend to attain salvation after bath in river Ganga as per ancient tradition. People of Indian come from all over the world to take plunge in Ganga at least once in their lifetime. Holy water of Ganges is used in many traditions by Hindus. It is believed that person achieve salvation on death in Varanasi.
Facts/Mythology
Temple is in quadrangle in shape. Primary deity is endowed with linga of 60 cm high and 90 cm in circumference in area situated in a gold ceremony. In temple complex, there are number of shrines of gods. Jnana Vapi (a well) is located in north of the temple and jyotirilingas was placed in the well to protect it from invaders. The linga of the temple is built of Back stone and based on silver basement. During ancient times, temple priest along with jyotirilingas jumped into the well to protect it from invasion. Temple structure can be summed up some parts like: gold dome of the temple and gold spire on the top of the temple. Temple is endowed with three domes mad out of gold. Temple is also known as 'Golden Temple' because of three domes made of gold, it resembles like golden temple when lit up in night.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
Shivratri is celebrated in kasha Vishwanath with utmost zeal and fervor. During the occasion, people are allowed to enter once the Kashi Naresh completes his religious function. Fairs and festivals are celebrated with traditional gaiety, and are symbolic of celebration of life at its best. During normal days, temple opens daily at 2:30 am for mangala aarati and ends its day with Shayana Aarti. The Kashi Vishwanath temple receives huge number of visitors every day. On certain occasions the numbers reach one lakh and more.