Sanatani Directory · Mandir
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Sthal-Parichay · The Place
Summary
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, located in the ancient city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganga.
Mahatva · Significance
Why this place matters
Mentioned across the Puranas, Kashi is considered Bhagwan Shiva's eternal abode and the city where Mukti is granted. A pilgrimage here is held to confer moksha. The Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve self-manifested lingas of Bhagwan Shiva, and Kashi is one of the seven Moksha-puris of Sanatan Dharma. The Vishwanath Corridor, opened in December 2021, restored a sweeping ghat-to-temple axis that had been built over for centuries.
Itihaas · History
A walk through time
The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times across centuries. The current structure was rebuilt in 1780 by Ahilyabai Holkar of the Maratha Malwa kingdom, who funded the reconstruction of several major Hindu temples that had been damaged. The gold plating on the two domes was contributed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire in 1839. The temple complex was significantly expanded in 2021 with the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor project, which connected the mandir directly to the Ganga at Manikarnika and Lalita ghats.
Utsav · Festivals
Celebrations through the year
Architecture
Sthapatya
- ·Nagara
Offerings
Bhog & Prasad
- ·Bilva patra
- ·Ganga jal
- ·Bhasma
- ·Dhatura
- ·Bhang
Travel Tips
For yatris
- ·Mangala aarti at 2:30 AM is the most sought-after — book in advance through the official website
- ·Mobile phones, cameras and leather items are not permitted inside; lockers are at Gate 4
- ·Wear cotton or comfortable clothing; the corridor involves significant walking
- ·Combine darshan with a Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening
- ·Avoid weekends and Mondays of Sawan for less crowded darshan
Yatra · How to Reach