Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a major sacred attraction, dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. The temple houses a Shivalinga, which is said to be one amongst the twelve Jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light, by which Lord Shiva beckoned his divine supremacy, broke through the earth’s crust and gleamed towards the heaven. The present temple was built by Rani Ahailya Bai Holkar of Indore in the year 1776, however, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple was existent even before the present one. About 800 kg of gold being used to cap the spire by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, hence it is also known as the Golden Temple in Varanasi. The temple has been built and re-built several times over the past centuries. The temple derives its name from Kashi, another name for Varanasi. This tirth also finds mention in old religious texts like Skanda Purana. The devotional atmosphere here is almost palpable. For the pilgrim who may have traveled thousand miles, the sanctity of the temple is only heightened by the teeming crowds, chanting of mantras and the continuous ringing of bells. Within the courtyard stands many smaller shrines, and a 2.1 metre high figure of Shiva’s bull, Nandi. The aarti held here is one of the most overwhelming experiences you can have on your trip to Varanasi.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings: 2:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Sugam Darshan: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Arti Timings:
3:00 AM to 4:00 AM – Mangla Aarti
11:15 AM to 12:20 PM – Bhog/Aarti
7:00 PM to 8:15 PM – Sandhya Aarti
9:00 PM to 10:15 PM – Night Shringar/Bhog Aarti
10:30 PM to 11:00 PM – Night Shayan Aarti
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Rudrabhishek Timings:
Rudrabhishek Timings: 4:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Rudrabhishek (1 shastri)
Rudrabhishek (5 shastri)
Rudrabhishek (11 shastri)
Laghu Rudra (11 shastri)
Maharudra (11 shastri) 11 Days
Other Temples in Varanasi:
Markandey Mahadev Temple
Bharat Mata Mandir
Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple
Kalbhairav Temple
Sankatha Temple
Annapurna Temple
Tulsi Manas Mandir
Birla Temple
Vyasa Temple
Vishalakshi Temple
Tilbhandeshwar Temple
Durga Temple
Sankat Mochan Temple
Teerath Kund:
Manikarnika – Chakra Pushkarini Kunda:
Manikarnika – Chakra Pushkarini kunda is located on the Manikarnika Ghat on river Ganga. This sacred kunda was dug by Bhagavan Vishnu with his discus and referred as Adi Manikarnika Tirtha. The earliest inscriptions suggest that the stone construction of this Ghat was done in the beginning of 14th century. In 18th century Bajirao Peshwa (first Peshwa) supported the (re) construction of Manikarnika Ghat. Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most sacred and revered Ghat-s along with other four Ghat-s, Asi, Dashashvamedha, Panchaganga, and Adi Keshava.
Durga Kunda:
Durga Kunda is near to the famous Durga Temple. In many travelogues Durga temple and neighbouring water tank were eloquently described and referred as one of the most eminent temples and a fine tank. The Durga temple and Durga kunda was built in the 18th century. The records also reveal that this large sized water tank was constructed by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. It is also vital to reflect to the historical fact that most of the western records mistakenly mentioned this temple as ‘monkey temple’. This wonderful temple tank with red colour stones leading to the water. Tulasi Manasa temple and Sankat Mochan Temple are near to this temple tank.
Gauri Kunda (Haranpapa Tirtha, Kedara Kunda):
The Kedar Ghat houses a small rectangular water tank adjacent to river Ganga.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Help Desk:
Location 1:
CK 37/40-41-42, Near Shapuri Mall Bansfathak,
Varanasi- 221001.
Time: 24X7
Location 2:
Near Dashashwamedh Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ward,
Varanasi-221001.
Time: Monday to Sunday 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Location 3:
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Help Center
Varanasi Cantt,
Varanasi-221002.
Uttar Pradesh.
How to reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple:
By Air
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is the nearest Airport which is 24.8 km from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
By Train
Varanasi Railway Junction is the nearest railway station which is 6.7 km from Kasi Shiva Temple. Varanasi City is well connected all parts of major cities.
By Road
Varanasi City is well connected with other major cities in India. Private and Government run buses are available to Varanasi every day.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple Address:
Chief Executive Officer
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Help Desk
CK 37/40,41,42 Bansphatak, Varanasi-221 001
Phone :0542- 2392629, +91-6393131608
Email : shrikashivishwanathtempletrust@gmail.com, support@shrikashivishwanath.org
Working Hours : सोमवार – शनिवार 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Other Jyotirlinga Temples are:
1) Somnath Temple in Gujarat
2) Mahakaleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh
3) Omkareshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh
4) Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand
5) Bhimashankar Temple in Maharashtra
6) Trimbakeshwar (or) Tryambakeshwar Shiva Temple in Maharashtra
7) Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu
8) Grishneshwar Temple in Maharashtra
9) Vaidyanath Temple in Jharkhand
10) Nageshwar Temple (or) Aundha Nagnath Temple in Gujarat
11) Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swami Temple in Andhra Pradesh