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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{Redirect|Kashi Vishwanath}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Shri Vishwanath Mandir|Shri Vishwanath Temple, BHU]]}}
{{other uses|Kashi Vishwanath Temple (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name               = Kashi Vishwanath Temple
| image              = Kashi Vishwanath.jpg
| image_upright      = 
| alt                = Vishveshvara Mandir 
| caption            = Entrance to present temple built by [[Ahilyabai Holkar]] in the 1780.
| map_type           = India Uttar Pradesh Varanasi#India Uttar Pradesh
| map_caption        = Location in Varanasi#Location within Uttar Pradesh
| coordinates        = {{coord|25|18|38.79|N|83|0|38.21|E|type:landmark_region:IN_scale:5000|display=inline,title}}
| country            = [[India]]
| state              = [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| district           = [[Varanasi district|Varanasi]]
| locale             = [[Varanasi]]
| elevation_m        = 
| deity              = Vishveshwara or Vishwanath ([[Shiva]])
| festivals          = [[Maha Shivaratri]]
| architecture       = [[Mandir]]
| temple_board       = Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust 
| temple_quantity    = 
| monument_quantity  = 
| inscriptions       = 
| year_completed     = 1780
| creator            = * 1585 - by [[Man Singh I]] and [[Raja Todar Mal]] 
* 1780  - by [[Ahilyabai Holkar]]
*1835 Gold Plating -  by [[Maharaja Ranjeet Singh]], [[Sikh Empire]]
| website            = [http://www.shrikashivishwanath.org/ shrikashivishwanath.org]
|date_demolished     = * 1194 by [[Muhammad of Ghor]]<br />
* 1505-1515 by [[Sikandar Lodi]]
* 1669 by [[Aurangzeb]]<br />}}
{{Hinduism small}}

'''Kashi Vishwanath Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to [[Shiva]]. It is located in Vishwanath Gali, in [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India. The temple is a [[Hindu pilgrimage sites in India|Hindu pilgrimage site]] and is one of the twelve [[Jyotirlinga]] shrines. The presiding deity is known by the names Vishwanath and Vishweshwara ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: ''Viśvanātha'' and ''Viśveśvara''), meaning ''Lord of the Universe''.

The original temple, called the ''Adi Vishveshwar Temple'', was demolished by [[Mohammad of Ghor]] during his invasion of India. Subsequently, the template was rebuilt by [[Man Singh I]] and [[Todar Mal]] under Emperor [[Akbar]]. According to several historical accounts, the Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]] ordered the demolition of the Hindu temple in 1669.<ref name= Desai>{{Cite book |last=Desai |first=Madhuri |title=Banaras Reconstructed: Architecture and Sacred Space in a Hindu Holy City |publisher=University of Washington Press |year=2017 |isbn=9780295741604 }}</ref> Subsequently, in 1678, the [[Gyanvapi Mosque]] was built on its site,<ref name="Bakshi2004">{{cite book|author=Akhil Bakshi|title=Between heaven and hell: travels through Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and India: an account of the expedition hands across the borders|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_1tAAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Odyssey Books}}</ref> but Hindu pilgrims continued to visit the remnants of the temple.<ref name= Desai/> The current structure was constructed on an adjacent site by the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] ruler [[Ahilyabai Holkar]] of [[Indore State|Indore]] in 1780.<ref name="govt page">{{cite web|url = http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/KASHI.html|title = Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple - A Brief history}}</ref>

In 2021, a major redevelopment of the temple complex was completed, and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor connecting the [[Ganges|Ganga river]] with the temple was inaugurated by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi|Modi]], leading to a many-fold increase in visitors.<ref name = DH>{{cite news |title=With 10-fold jump in tourist footfall, Varanasi balances tradition and change |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/with-10-fold-jump-in-tourist-footfall-varanasi-balances-tradition-and-change-2646066 |work=deccan herald |agency=PTI |date=13 August 2023 |access-date=31 March 2024}}</ref><ref name =Kashi2021>{{Cite news |title=PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Vishwanath Corridor |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/pm-modi-inaugurates-kashi-vishwanath-corridor-7670093/ |work=The Indian Express |date=14 February 2022 |access-date=28 August 2022}}</ref> It has become one of the most visited Hindu temples in India, with an average 45,000 pilgrims per day in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=3-fold rise in average footfall at KVT |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/3-fold-rise-in-averagefootfall-at-kvt/articleshow/90004180.cms |work=The Times of India |date=5 March 2022 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref> The total assets of the temple, were estimated to be more than {{INR}}6 crores in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=India's richest temples and their net worth! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/web-stories/indias-richest-temples-and-their-net-worth/photostory/103284438.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref>

== Legend ==
It is believed that [[Varanasi]] is the first [[Jyotirlinga]] to manifest itself.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2017 |title=History of the Kashi Vishwanath temple |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/religious-places/history-of-the-kashi-vishwanath-temple/articleshow/68206100.cms |access-date=6 December 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> According to the legend, it was at this place that [[Shiva]] (the Hindu god of destruction) manifested as an infinite column of light (''Jyotirlinga'') in front of [[Brahma]] (the Hindu god of creation) and [[Vishnu]] (the Hindu god of preservation) when they had an argument about their supremacy.<ref name="R.">R. 2003, pp. 92-95</ref>

In order to discover the origin of the luminous column, Vishnu took the form of a boar ([[Varaha]]) and tracked the column beneath the ground, while Brahma, who assumed the shape of a swan, scoured the heavens in an attempt to locate the apex of the column. However, both of them were unsuccessful in identifying the source of the luminous column. Yet, Brahma deceitfully asserted that he had discovered the summit of the column, while Vishnu humbly admitted his inability to find the starting point of the radiant column. Due to Brahma's deceit over the discovery of the origin of the luminous column, Shiva penalised him by cutting his fifth head and placing a curse upon him. This curse entailed that Brahma would no longer receive reverence, whereas Vishnu, being truthful, would be equally venerated alongside Shiva and have dedicated temples for eternity.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Saranyu S. |title=Biological Decoding of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses |publisher=Notion Press |year=2020 |isbn=9781649516336 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Achuthananda |first=S |title=The Ascent of Vishnu and the Fall of Brahma |publisher=Relianz Communications Pvt Ltd. |year=2018 |isbn= |location=Queensland, Australia |pages=36–37 |language=English}}</ref>

Hindu scriptures describe Vishweshwara as the sacred deity of Varanasi, holding the position of king over [[Pantheon (religion)|all the other deities]] as well as over all the inhabitants of the city and the extended circuit of the ''Panchkoshi'', an area (the sacred boundary of Varanasi) spreading over 50 miles.<ref name="MAS">{{cite book |author1=Matthew Atmore Sherring |title=The Sacred City of the Hindus An Account of Benares in Ancient and Modern Times |date=1968 |publisher=Trübner & Company |edition=First |location=London |author1-link=Matthew Atmore Sherring}}</ref>

== Jyotirlinga ==
The ''[[jyotirlinga]]'' is an ancient [[axis mundi]] symbol representing the supremely formless (''[[Para Brahman|nirguna]]'') reality at the core of creation, out of which the form (''[[Saguna brahman|saguna]]'') of Shiva appears. The ''jyothirlinga'' shrines are thus places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light.<ref>Eck 1999, p. 107</ref><ref name="Gwynne">See: Gwynne 2008, Section on Char Dham</ref>

There are twelve 'self manifested' ''jyotirlinga'' sites that take the name of the presiding deity; each is considered a different manifestation of Shiva.<ref name="Lochtefeld">Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 324-325</ref> At all these sites, the primary image is a ''[[lingam]]'' representing the beginningless and endless ''[[Stambha]]'' pillar, symbolising the infinite nature of Shiva.<ref name="Lochtefeld" /><ref name="E. U. Harding">Harding 1998, pp. 158-158</ref><ref name="paris_congress">Vivekananda Vol. 4</ref>

The twelve ''jyothirlinga'' are located at [[Somnath Temple|Somnath]] in [[Gujarat]], [[Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam|Mallikarjuna]] at [[Srisailam]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga|Mahakaleswar]] at [[Ujjain]] in [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Omkareshwar]] in [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Kedarnath Temple|Kedarnath]] in [[Uttarakhand]], [[Bhimashankar Temple|Bhimashankar]] in [[Maharashtra]], [[Kasi Viswanath Temple|Viswanath]] at [[Varanasi]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple|Triambakeshwar]] in [[Maharashtra]], [[Baidyanath Temple|Baidyanath Jyotirlinga]] at [[Deoghar]] in [[Jharkhand]], [[Nageshwar Temple, Dwarka|Nageswar]] at [[Dwarka]] in [[Gujarat]], [[Ramanathaswamy Temple|Rameshwar]] at [[Rameswaram]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], and [[Grishneshwar]] at [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] in [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="R." /><ref name="Chaturvedi">Chaturvedi 2006, pp. 58-72</ref>

== History ==
=== Ancient and classical periods ===
The ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' contains a part titled "Kashi Khanda", while the ''[[Brahma Vaivarta Purana|Brahmavaivarta Purana]]'' includes a portion known as "Kashi Rahasya", both of which are dedicated to the city of [[Varanasi]].<ref name=":0">Altekar, Anant Sadashiv. 1947 (second edition). ''Benares and Sarnath: Past and Present''. Varanasi: Culture Publication House. Benares Hindu University.</ref>

As per the Kashi Khanda, there were a total of 1099 temples, out of which 513 were specifically devoted to the worship of [[Shiva]]. The scripture states that the Vishvanath temple was formerly known as Moksha Lakshmi Vilas. The temple housed a total of five ''[[mandapa]]s'' (halls). The lingam of Vishwanath was situated in the ''[[garbhagriha]]'' (innermost sanctuary). The remaining four mandapas include the ''Jnana mandapa'' located to the east, the ''Ranga mandapa'' to the west, the ''Aishvarya mandapa'' to the north, and the ''Mukti mandapa'' to the south.<ref name=":0" />

[[Nārāyaṇa Bhaṭṭa]], in his book ''Tristhalisetu'',<ref>Gokhale, R. (ed.). 1915. Tristhalīsetu of Narayan Bhatta. Pune: AnandashrmaMudranalaya.</ref> as well as Madhuri Desai describe that the temple centres around a repetition of destruction and reconstruction.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Desai|first=Madhuri|title=Banaras Reconstructed: Architecture and Sacred Space in a Hindu Holy City|publisher=University of Washington Press|year=2017|isbn=978-0-295-74160-4|pages=3–16|chapter=INTRODUCTION: THE PARADOX OF BANARAS|jstor=j.ctvcwnwvg.4|chapter-url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvcwnwvg.4}}</ref>

=== Medieval period and destruction ===
{{Main|Razia Mosque}}

The original Vishwanath temple, initially known as the Adi Vishveshwar Temple, was destroyed by the [[Ghurids]] in 1194, when [[Mu'izz al-Din|Mu'izz al-Din Muhammad ibn Sam]] returned to [[India]] and defeated [[Jayachandra]] of [[Kannauj]] [[Battle of Chandawar|near Chandawar]] and afterwards razed the city of Kashi.<ref>{{cite book|author=Satish Chandra|author-link=Satish Chandra (historian)|title=History of Medieval India:800-1700|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qHnHHwAACAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Orient Longman|isbn=978-81-250-3226-7|page=71|quote=In 1194, Muizzuddin returned to India. He crossed the Jamuna with 50,000 cavalry and moved towards Kanauj. A hotly contested battle between Muizzuddin and Jaichandra was fought at Chandawar near Kanauj. We are told that Jaichandra had almost carried the day when he was killed by an arrow, and his army was totally defeated. Muizzuddin now moved on to Banaras which was ravaged, a large number of temples there being destroyed|language=en}}</ref> In a few years{{Year needed|date=May 2023}}, the [[Razia Mosque]] was constructed in its place.<ref name=":13">{{Cite thesis|last=Shin|first=Heeryoon|title=Building a "Modern" Temple Town: Architecture and Patronage in Banaras, 1750-1900|date=May 2015|publisher=Yale University|page=4, 35, 38, 198}}</ref><ref name="SPUday2005">{{cite book|author=Udayakumar|first=S. P.|title=Presenting the Past: Anxious History and Ancient Future in Hindutva India|date=2005|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-97209-7|pages=99|chapter=Ramarajya: Envisioning the Future and Entrenching the Past}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite journal|last=Bakker|first=Hans|date=1996|title=Construction and Reconstruction of Sacred Space in Vārāṇasī|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3270235|journal=Numen|volume=43|issue=1|pages=42–43|doi=10.1163/1568527962598368|issn=0029-5973|jstor=3270235}}</ref> In 1230, the temple was rebuilt near the Avimukteshwara Temple, away from the main site, during the reign of Delhi's Sultan [[Iltutmish]] (1211–1266).<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 August 2024 |title=The Legend and Legacy of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga - historified |url=https://historified.in/2024/08/08/the-legend-and-legacy-of-kashi-vishwanath-jyotirlinga/ |access-date=18 October 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> It was demolished again during the rule of either [[Hussain Shah Sharqi]] (1447–1458) or [[Sikandar Lodi]] (1489–1517).{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

=== Mughal period ===
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| total_width       = 400
| header            = Sketches by [[James Prinsep]]<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0uA_AQAAMAAJ |title=Benares Illustrated in a Series of Drawings |author=James Prinsep |year=1996 |isbn=9788171241767 |page=29 |publisher=Vishwavidyalaya Prakashan }}</ref>
| image1            = Temple Of Vishveshwur Benares by James Prinsep 1834 (cropped).jpg
| caption1          = The Gyanvapi Mosque sketched as the ''Temple of Vishveshwur, Benares''.
| image2            = Plan Of The Ancient Temple Of Vishveshvur by James Prinsep 1832 (cropped).jpg
| caption2          = ''Plan of the Ancient Temple of Vishveshwar''.<br />The dotted line shows the portion of the temple occupied by the present Masjid.
}}

{{Main|Gyanvapi Mosque}}

[[Man Singh I|Raja Man Singh]] started rebuilding the temple during [[Akbar]]'s reign.<ref name="SPUday2005" /><ref>{{cite book |author=S. P. Udayakumar |title=Presenting the Past: Anxious History and Ancient Future in Hindutva India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XjkEERJrRdwC&pg=PA99 |date=1 January 2005 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-275-97209-7 |pages=99 }}</ref> [[Raja Todar Mal]] furthered the reconstruction of the temple in 1585.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Anand |first=Abhishek |date=29 January 2024 |title=Unraveling Gyanvapi's historical tapestry: 800 years of war and peace |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gyanvapi-mosque-kashi-vishwanath-temple-row-asi-survey-varanasi-2494955-2024-01-29 |magazine=India Today |access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>

In the seventeenth century, during the rule of [[Jahangir]], [[Vir Singh Deo]] completed the construction of the earlier temple.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pauwels|first=Heidi|date=23 March 2011|title=A tale of two temples: Mathurā's Keśavadeva and Orcchā's Caturbhujadeva|url=http://tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19472498.2011.553497|journal=South Asian History and Culture|language=en|volume=2|issue=2|pages=278–299|doi=10.1080/19472498.2011.553497|s2cid=144492608|issn=1947-2498}}</ref> In 1669, Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]] destroyed the temple and built the [[Gyanvapi Mosque]] in its place.<ref name="Catherine1992">{{cite book |author=Catherine B. Asher |title=Architecture of Mughal India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ctLNvx68hIC|date=24 September 1992 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-26728-1 |pages=278–279}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sengupta |first=Arjun |date=27 January 2024 |title=The temple that Aurangzeb razed: Evidence from history on Gyanvapi and Kashi Vishwanath |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/the-temple-that-aurangzeb-razed-evidence-from-history-9129714/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref> The remains of the erstwhile temple can be seen in the foundation, the columns, and the rear part of the mosque.<ref name="Vanessa2013">{{cite book |author1=Vanessa Betts |author2=Victoria McCulloch |title=Delhi to Kolkata Footprint Focus Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=acT9AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA108 |date=30 October 2013 |publisher=Footprint Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-909268-40-1 |pages=108–}}</ref>

=== Maratha and British period ===
[[File:Elevation of Kashi Vishwanath Temple 1891.jpg|thumb|Elevation of the present temple structure]]

In 1742, the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] ruler [[Malhar Rao Holkar]] devised a plan to demolish the mosque and reconstruct the Vishweshwar temple at the site. However, his plan did not materialise, partly because of the intervention of the [[Nawab of Awadh]], who was given control of the territory.<ref name="Madhuri_2007">{{cite book |author=Madhuri Desai |title=Resurrecting Banaras: Urban Space, Architecture and Religious Boundaries |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KdD3MYnYey8C&pg=PA30 |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-549-52839-5 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>{{rp|2}} In 1750, the Maharaja of [[Jaipur State|Jaipur]] commissioned a survey of the land around the site with the objective of purchasing land to rebuild the Kashi Vishwanath temple, which in turn failed.<ref name="Madhuri_2007"/>{{rp|85}}

In 1785, at the behest of Governor General Warren Hastings, [[District magistrate|Collector]] Mohammed Ibrahim constructed a [[Naqqar khana|Naubatkhana]] in front of the temple.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Barclay Jr. |first=George |title=The Son Of Man |publisher=iUniverse |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-4502-6689-5 |location=Bloomington, Indiana |pages=280 |language=English}}</ref> In 1780, Malhar Rao's daughter-in-law, [[Ahilyabai Holkar]], built the present temple adjacent to the mosque.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Menon |first1=Vandana |last2=Bikhchandani |first2=Raghav |last3=Laeeq |first3=Humra |date=25 June 2022 |title=Somnath and Gyanvapi temples were rebuilt – long ago by Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar |url=https://theprint.in/past-forward/somnath-and-gyanvapi-temples-were-rebuilt-long-ago-by-maratha-queen-ahilyabai-holkar/1009037/ |access-date=3 December 2023 |work=ThePrint}}</ref> In 1828, [[Baiza Bai]], widow of the Maratha ruler [[Daulat Rao Scindhia]] of [[Gwalior State]], built a low-roofed [[colonnade]] with over 40 pillars in the Gyan Vapi precinct.<ref name="MASherring_1868">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217371 |title=The Sacred City of the Hindus: An Account of Benares in Ancient and Modern Times |author=Matthew Atmore Sherring |author-link=Matthew Atmore Sherring |publisher=Trübner & co. |year=1868 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217371/page/n97 55]–56 }}</ref> During 1833–1840, at the boundary of Gyanvapi Well, the ''ghats'' (steps by the riverside) and other nearby temples{{Which|date=December 2023}} were constructed.

Many noble families from various ancestral kingdoms of the Indian subcontinent, and their predecessor states, made generous contributions to the operation of the temple.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kashi Vishwanath Temple |url=https://behindeverytemple.org/hindu-temples/shiva/kashi-vishwanath-temple/ |access-date=3 December 2023 |website=Behind Every Temple |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1835, [[Ranjit Singh|Maharaja Ranjit Singh]] of the [[Sikh Empire]], at the behest of his wife, [[Datar Kaur|Maharani Datar Kaur]], donated 1 tonne of gold for plating the temple's dome. In 1841, [[Raghuji Bhonsle III]] of [[Nagpur kingdom|Nagpur]] donated silver to the temple.<ref name="Madhuri_2007" />{{rp|200}}<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217371 |title=The Sacred City of the Hindus: An Account of Benares in Ancient and Modern Times |author=Matthew Atmore Sherring |author-link=Matthew Atmore Sherring |publisher=Trübner & co. |year=1868 |page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.217371/page/n93 51] }}</ref>

The temple was managed by a hereditary group of [[pandits]] or [[mahant]]s. After the death of Mahant Devi Dutt, a dispute arose among his successors. In 1900, his brother-in-law, Pandit Visheshwar Dayal Tewari, filed a lawsuit, which resulted in him being declared the head priest.<ref name="AHC_1986">{{cite court |url=http://indiankanoon.org/doc/355412/ |litigants=Trivikram Narain Singh And Ors. vs State Of U.P. And Ors. |court=[[Allahabad High Court]] |date=28 October 1986 |access-date= 25 July 2015 }}</ref>

=== Post-Independence ===
Since 1983, the temple has been managed by a board of trustees set up by the government of [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dumper |first=Michael |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1145080849 |title=Power, piety, and people the politics of holy cities in the twenty-first century |date=2020 |isbn=978-0-231-54566-2 |location=New York |publisher=Columbia University Press |oclc=1145080849}}</ref> The [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] of the Maa Shringar Gauri Temple, on the western side of the disputed Gyanvapi Mosque, was restricted after the [[demolition of the Babri Masjid]] in December 1992, due to the ensuing deadly riots that followed the demolition of the mosque. In August 2021, five Hindu women petitioned a local court in Varanasi to be allowed to pray at the Maa Shringar Gauri Temple.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Varanasi court issues notices on shared shrine petition in Ayodhya|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/varanasi-court-issues-notices-on-shared-shrine-petition-in-ayodhya/cid/1827373|access-date=12 December 2021|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>

[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing at the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on December 13, 2021 (105966).jpg|thumb|Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] speaking at the inauguration of the renovated Kashi Vishwanath Corridor on 13 December 2021.]]

After 239 years, the [[Kumbhabhishekham]] (consecration ceremony) of the temple was held on 5 July 2018, which was conducted by [[Nattukottai Nagarathar]], a mercantile community of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite news |title=North and South merged at this Altar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/north-and-south-merged-at-this-altar/article24527959.ece |work=The Hindu |date=27 July 2018 |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>

The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project was launched by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] in 2019 to make it easier to travel between the temple and the Ganges River and to create more space to prevent crowding. On 13 December 2021, Modi inaugurated the corridor with a sacred ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Vishwanath Corridor |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/pm-modi-inaugurates-kashi-vishwanath-corridor-7670093/ |access-date=28 August 2022 |website=The Indian Express |date=14 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> A press release by the government said that around 1,400 residents and businesses within the corridor's area were relocated elsewhere and compensated. It also said that more than 40 ruined, centuries-old temples were found and rebuilt, including the Gangeshwar Mahadev temple, the Manokameshwar Mahadev temple, the Jauvinayak temple, and the Shri Kumbha Mahadev temple.<ref>{{cite news|last=Verma|first=Lalmani|date=13 December 2021|title=PM Modi to inaugurate Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi today|language=|pages=|newspaper=The New Indian Express|publisher=Express Publications|location=New Delhi|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-kashi-vishwanath-corridor-in-varanasi-7669259/|access-date=13 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=A|first1=Divya|title=Explained: What is changing at the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple complex?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/kashi-vishwanath-temple-narendra-modi-varanasi-7669709/|access-date=14 December 2021|website=The Indian Express| date=14 December 2021 }}</ref>

In February 2022, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was gold-plated after an anonymous donor from South India donated 60&nbsp;kg of gold to the temple.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2022 |title=God meets gold meets faith in 'PM's works' at Kashi Vishwanath Temple |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kashi-vishwanath-temple-narendra-modi-visit-gold-7799966/ |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Flowers from the temple are recycled into incense by the biomaterials startup [[PHOOL|Phool.co]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive - India's First Biomaterial Startup Phool.co Raises $8 Million In Series A Funding |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/startups/exclusive-indias-first-biomaterial-startup-phoolco-raises-8-million-in-series-a-funding/75005/1 |access-date=13 July 2022 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref>

As of August 2023, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust reported that 10 crore (100 million) tourists had visited the temple since the inauguration of the corridor in December 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=With 10-fold jump in tourist footfall, Varanasi balances tradition and change |url=https://travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/destination/states/with-10-fold-jump-in-tourist-footfall-varanasi-balances-tradition-and-change/102702701 |work=Economic TImes |agency=PTI |date=14 August 2023 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref>

== Temple complex ==
[[File:Benares well.jpg|thumb|The original holy well—Gyanvapi is in between the temple and [[Gyanvapi Mosque]]]]
[[File:Ganga Dwar, Gateway of Corridor of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi 2.webp|thumb|Ganga Dwara, Gateway of Corridor that connects Kashi Vishwanath Temple with Ghats of the Ganges.]]

The temple complex consists of a series of smaller shrines located in a small lane called the Vishwanatha Gali, near the river. The [[linga]] of the main deity at the shrine is {{convert|60|cm}} tall and {{convert|90|cm}} in circumference, housed in a silver altar.<ref name="cultural holidays">{{cite web
|url = http://www.cultureholidays.com/Temples/kashi.htm
|title = Cultural holidays - Kashi Vishwanath temple
|access-date = 17 November 2006
|archive-date = 8 April 2017
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170408111550/http://www.cultureholidays.com/Temples/kashi.htm
|url-status = dead
}}</ref> The main temple is a quadrangle, and there are shrines to other gods all around it. There are small temples for [[Bhairava|Kala Bhairava]], [[Kartikeya]], Avimukteshwara, [[Vishnu]], [[Ganesha]], [[Shani]], [[Shiva]], and [[Parvati]] in the complex.

There is a small well in the temple called the ''Jnana Vapi'', also spelled ''Gyan Vapi'' (the wisdom well). The Jnana Vapi is located to the north of the main temple, and during the invasion by the Mughals, the jyotirlinga was hidden in the well to protect it. It is said that the main priest of the temple jumped in the well with the [[lingam]] in order to protect the jyotirlinga from invaders.

There is a ''Sabha Griha'' (congregation hall) leading to the inner ''Garbha Griha'' (sanctum sanctorum). The jyotirlinga is enshrined in the sanctuary and placed on a silver platform. The structure of the temple is composed of three parts. The first consists of a 15.5-meter-high [[spire]] on the temple; the second is a gold [[Onion dome|dome]]; and the third is the gold spire within the sanctuary bearing a flag and a [[trident]].

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is popularly known as the Golden Temple, due to the gold plating of its spire. One tonne of gold donated by [[Ranjit Singh|Maharaja Ranjit Singh]] has been used in the gold plating,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kashi Vishwanath Temple dome starts glittering with 23kg gold |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/kashi-vishwanath-temple-dome-starts-glittering-with-23kg-gold/articleshow/92071914.cms |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> as well as in three domes, each made up of pure gold, donated in 1835.

The temple receives around 3,000 visitors every day. On certain occasions, the numbers reach 1,000,000 or more.

The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor was constructed between Kashi Vishwanath Temple and [[Manikarnika Ghat]] along the Ganges River, providing various amenities for pilgrims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/feb/13/temple-woes-for-kashi-vishwanath-corridor-2102687.html|title=Temple woes for Kashi Vishwanath corridor|website=The New Indian Express|date=13 February 2020 }}</ref>

== Religious importance ==
Located on the banks of the holy river [[Ganges]], Varanasi is regarded as among the holiest of the Hindu cities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is widely recognised as one of the most important places of worship in the Hindu religion, because the it holds the jyotirlinga of Shiva Vishveshwara, or [[Shiva|Vishvanath]].

A visit to the temple and a bath in the Ganges is one of many methods believed to lead one on a path to ''[[moksha]]'' (liberation). Thus, Hindus from all over the world try to visit the place at least once in their lifetime. There is also a tradition that one should give up at least one desire after a pilgrimage to the temple, and the pilgrimage would also include a visit to the temple at [[Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram|Rameswaram]] in [[Tamil Nadu]] in South India, to which people take water samples of the Ganges to perform prayer there and bring back sand from near that temple.

Because of the immense popularity and holiness of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, hundreds of temples across [[India]] have been built in the same architectural style. Many legends tell of the true devotee achieving freedom from death and ''[[saṃsāra]]'' (aimlessness) by the worship of Shiva, Shiva's devotees upon death being directly taken to his abode on [[Mount Kailash]] by his messengers and not to judgement by [[Yama]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} There is a popular belief that Shiva himself blows the mantra of salvation into the ears of people who die naturally at the Vishwanath temple.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi |url=https://templesofindia.org/temple-view/shri-kashi-vishwanath-purana-mandir-varanasi-uttar-pradesh-266mzg |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=templesofindia.org |language=en}}</ref>

It is one of the shrines of the [[Vaippu Sthalam]]s sung by Tamil [[Shaivism|Saivite]] [[Nayanars|Nayanar]] [[Sambandar]].<ref>பு.மா.ஜெயசெந்தில்நாதன், தேவார வைப்புத்தலங்கள், வர்த்தமானன் பதிப்பகம், சென்னை, 2009</ref><ref>[https://shaivam.org/hindu-hub/temples/place/463/vaaranasi-viswanathar-temple மூவர் தேவார வைப்புத் தலங்கள், Muvar Thevara Vaippu Thalangal, வாரணாசி - (காசி விஸ்வநாதர் ஆலயம்) Varanasi -Benaras - Kasi Vishvanathar Temple, 2-39-7]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shivatemples.com/vt/vt_kovil3/vt138.php|title=வாரணாசி, 2-39-7, 6-70-6, 6-7-11}}</ref>

== Festivals ==
''Phalgun Shukla [[Ekadashi]]'' is celebrated as ''Rangabhari Ekadashi'', that is, a festival of colours. According to tradition, before [[Holi]], Baba Vishwanath comes back to Kashi after having a cow in the form of Mother Bhagwati. The temple complex echoes with the beating of dozens of damroos (two-sided drums). This tradition has been performed for over 200 years. On [[Vasant Panchami]], Baba's Tilak is performed. There is [[Maha Shivaratri|Shivaratri's marriage]], and Rangbhari Ekadashi marks [[Parvati]] leaving with her husband Shiva.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/UP-VAR-rangbhari-ekadashi-celebrated-in-kashi-vishwanath-temple-varanasi-news-hindi-5546329-PHO.html|title=जब बाबा विश्वनाथ मां भगवती का गौना करा लौटे काशी, ऐसे उड़े रंग-गुलाल &#124; rangbhari ekadashi celebrated in kashi vishwanath temple varanasi - Dainik Bhaskar}}</ref> These traditions have been carried out by the erstwhile Mahant family of the temple for over a century.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/kv-dham-project-13-building-owners-refuse-to-sell-property/articleshow/71469345.cms|title = Kashi Vishwanath Dham project: 13 building owners refuse to sell property &#124; Varanasi News - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]| date=7 October 2019 }}</ref>

These rituals of Baba's marriage ceremony are performed at the residence of Kulpati Tiwari, the erstwhile Mahant of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Redzone.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-48308011|title = काशी-विश्वनाथ कॉरिडोर के मुसलमान क्यों बेचैन हैं ?|newspaper = BBC News हिंदी}}</ref> The seven rituals of Saptarishi Aarti were performed by Baba Vishwanath. According to the Puranas, Kashi is beloved by the Saptarishi; so, according to the tradition, the devotees of the Saptarishi Aarti perform the rituals of marriage. The seven archaks under the leadership of Pradhan Archak Pandit Shashibhushan Tripathi (Guddu Maharaj) completed the marriage in Vedic rituals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/111518554800-varanasi-news|title=मौर पहनकर निकले बाबा, लाल चुनरी में गौरा|website=Amar Ujala|language=hi}}</ref> ''Mangala Aarti'' is performed at 3:30 am, ''Bhog Aarti'' at 12:00 pm, ''Saptarishi Aarti'' at 7:30 pm and ''Shringar Aarti'' at 11:00 pm.<ref>{{cite book|last=Karkar|first=S.C.|title=The Top Ten Temple Towns of India|publisher=Mark Age Publication|year=2009|isbn=978-81-87952-12-1|location=Kolkota|page=10}}</ref>

The [[Yadav]] community of Kashi associated with ''Chandravanshi Gop Seva Samiti'' and ''Shree Krishna Yadav Mahasabha'' have been performing ''jalabhishek'' on a ''[[shivling]]'', traditionally for 90 years, starting in 1932.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yadav Bandhus Perform Jalabhishek Of Lord Shiva |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/yadav-bandhus-perform-jalabhishek-of-lord-shiva/articleshow/92968938.cms |access-date=20 July 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=19 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Transport and accommodations ==
There are transportation options for getting to Benaras by air, land, and water. [[Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport]] is located roughly 22 kilometres from the city centre and approximately 25&nbsp;km from the temple complex. There are two railway stations in the city, namely Varanasi Cantonment Station and [[Kashi Railway Station]].

The city has two bus terminals: one located at the Cantonment (Cantt) and another at Golgadda, commonly referred to as Kashi Depot. The Cantonment terminal manages buses for both depots. The urban transportation system comprises many types of vehicles, including two-wheelers (34%), autos (20%), cycles (16%), pedestrians (14%), four-wheelers (6%), cycle rickshaws (6%), and other miscellaneous vehicles (4%).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kapur |first=Dr. Radhika |date=18 December 2023 |title=Significance of Culture and Religion in the City of Benaras |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324726535 |website=Researchgate.net |pages=5}}</ref>

There are various [[Dharamshala (type of building)|dharmshalas]], rented guest rooms, and other hotels and lodges available nearby at various prices, including a guest house run by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shri Kashi Vishwanath Official Web Portal |url=https://www.shrikashivishwanath.org/ |access-date=15 April 2023 |website=www.shrikashivishwanath.org}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Commons category}}{{Wikiquote}}
* [[Shri Vishwanath Mandir]]
* [[Vishalakshi Temple]]
* [[Mrityunjay Mahadev Mandir]]
* [[Ratneshwar Mahadev temple]]
* [[List of Hindu temples in Varanasi]]
* [[Nandmahar Dham]]
* [[Mata Mawai Dham]]
* [[Shree Kashi Karvat Mandir]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Notes ==
* {{Citation
 | last=Chaturvedi
 | first=B. K.
 | year=2006
 | title=Shiv Purana
 | place=New Delhi
 | publisher= Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd
 | edition=First
 | isbn=81-7182-721-7
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bchgql0em9YC&q=jyotirlinga&pg=PA58
}}
* {{Citation
 | last=Eck
 | first=Diana L.
 | year=1999
 | title=Banaras, city of light
 | place=New York
 | publisher= Columbia University Press
 | edition=First
 | isbn=0-231-11447-8
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J57C4d8Bv6UC&q=jyotirlinga&pg=PA107
}}
* {{Citation |last=Gwynne|first=Paul |title=World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction|year=2009|publisher=Blackwell Publication |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-4051-6702-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tdsRKc_knZoC&q=jyotirlinga&pg=PT271}}.
* {{cite book
  | last = Harding
  | first = Elizabeth U.
  | title = Kali: The Black Goddess of Dakshineswar
  | chapter = God, the Father
  | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass
  | year = 1998
  | pages = 156–157
  | isbn = 978-81-208-1450-9
}}
* {{Citation | last = Lochtefeld | first = James G. | title = The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M | year = 2002 | publisher=Rosen Publishing Group | isbn=0-8239-3179-X | page=122 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC}}
* {{Citation
 | last=R.
 | first=Venugopalam
 | year=2003
 | title=Meditation: Any Time Any Where
 | place=Delhi
 | publisher= B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
 | edition=First
 | isbn=81-8056-373-1
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtnNw_hiA9oC&q=jyotirlinga&pg=PT113
}}
* {{cite book
  | last = Vivekananda
  | first = Swami
  | title = The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
  | chapter = The Paris Congress of the History of Religions
  | chapter-url = http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_4/translation_prose/the_paris_congress.htm
  | volume = 4
}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Kashi Vishwanath Temple}}
* [http://www.shrikashivishwanath.org/ Kashi Vishwanath Temple Website]
* [http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/kashi.html Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi]

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{{Shiva temples}}
{{Temples in Varanasi}}
{{Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh}}
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[[Category:Jyotirlingas]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures converted into mosques]]
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