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Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

विश्वनाथ मम नाथ पुरारी त्रिभुवन महिमा विदित तुम्हारी

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Basic Details

  • Temple Name: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
  • Temple Address: Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
  • Temple Timing: 04 AM – 11 PM.
  • Mangala Aarti Timing: 02:30AM to 04:00AM
  • Bhog/Aarti Timing: 11:15 A.M. to 12:20 PM
  • Saptirishi Aarti Timing: 07:00 PM to 08:15 PM
  • Night Shringar/Bhog Aarti Timing: 09:00 PM to 10:15 PM
  • Shayan Aarti Timing: 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM
आलस्येनापि यो यायाद् गृहाद्विश्वेश्वरालायम
 अश्वमेधाधिको धर्मस्तस्य स्याच्च पदे पदे ॥ ८६ ॥
Kashi Khand, Chapter 03, Shlok 86

The above Shloka has been taken from the Skanda Purana where lord Shiva is saying that “Even out of laziness, if a person leaves his home and goes to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, every step he takes will yield more Punya then performing an Ashwamedh Yagya.

Story behind the Kashi Vishwanath Temple :

After Lord Shiva’s marriage with Devi Parvati, He was looking for a place on the Planet to reside, as the severe weather conditions of Mt. Kailash were not suiting Maa Parvati. Lord Shiva sent Deva Shree Narad to look for a suitable place where he can reside with Maa Parvati. It had been 30 days since Narad ji had gone to look for the place but he didn’t come back. After which Lord Shiva sent another group of Devtas including Bhagwan Kartikey to look where Narad Ji eventually was, but they also didn’t come back.
It was then that Lord Shiva very rigorously summoned Bhagwan Shri Narad Ji to come into his presence. Narad Ji informed Lord Shiva that he had visited a place known as ‘Kashi’ and that the place was so mesmerizing that he didn’t feel like coming back. Narad Ji requested Lord Shiva to come with him to this divine place then called ‘Anand Van’ which means the forest of Joy.
Lord Shiva since then resided here for the welfare of all in the form of ‘Kashi Vishwanath‘ which means the ruler of the world. He resides here with her eternal consort Maa Annapurna and Kaal Bhairav (who is the guardian of the city).

Religious Significance of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple :

त्रिरात्रमपि ये काश्यां वसन्ति नियतेन्द्रिया
तेषां पुनन्ति नियतं स्पृष्टाश्चरणरेणवः
Kashi Khand, Chapter 25, Shlok 46
The above Shloka has been taken from the Skanda Purana where Lord Shiva is saying “Devotees who spend three nights in Kashi religiously become so respectable that merely touching their feet is considered auspicious (Punya Karma)”.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most important temple of Lord Shiva located on the western bank of the Holy River Ganges.
The sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and it is written in the Shiv Mahapuran that Kashi is the place where the first Jyotirlinga took form.
The fiery pillar of divine light for ‘Gyan’ and ‘Moksha’ broke from Kashi right into the solar space. it was through this divine light representing Gyan and Moksha that Lord Shiva proclaimed his supreme nature over all other Devi and Devtas.
Hence the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is very dear to Lord Shiva and according to the Shri Shiv Maha Purana, this is the temple where one can by mere darshan achieve Salvation.
It is in Kashi that Lord Shiva directly gives the Tarak Mantra to all those who die in his Avimukta Kshetra. Praying in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple satisfies all the desires and blesses the devotee with the excellence of knowledge and education in his sphere.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is an architecture Mastercraft made with a gold Chattra plating on its dome which is 15.5 meters thick and hence is also known as the Golden Temple.
Lord Shiva says that Kashi does not reside in Kashi but it is the holy city of Kashi that resides within him (in his heart). It is written in the Shiva Mahapurana that Kashi does not reside on Earth; it is located on the three spokes of Lord Shiva.
Even in the Pralay time, It is believed that Lord Shiva will hold Kashi on his Trishul and there will be no destruction caused to the city hence it is also known as ‘Avinashi‘ ( the indestructible).
तादृग् तुष्टिर्न मे तादृक् तुष्टिर्न मे मखै:
 न तुष्टिस्तपसा तादृग् यादृशी काशिसंस्तवैः ||65||
Kashi Khand, Chapter 25, Shlok 46
The above Shloka has been taken from the Skanda Purana where Lord Shiva is saying that “I do not get that kind of satisfaction by the performance of various donations, Yaagam, and penance as I get if a devotee praises the virtues of Kashi”.

History of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple :

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been witness to the vindictive cultural oppression by many invaders. But every time their efforts were dislodged and somebody always came to rebuild and restore this piece of Sanatani Heritage.
It is a historical fact that the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple was built in 1419. The Kashi Vishwanath temple was then destroyed by the Mughal invader Aurangzeb who built a Gyanvapi Mosque by the side of the revered temple. It is said that when Aurangzeb decided to demolish the Shiva Linga, the priests of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple were hidden in the ‘Gyanvapi Koop’ to protect it from getting destroyed. The Gyanvapi well is still situated between the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Gyanvapi Mosque.
The latest structure of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple which is flourishing to date was re-built in the 18th century by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore State.
In modern times the foundation stones for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor were laid down in the year 2019 and the grand Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi in the year 2021.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Darshan and Aarti Timings :

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple opens at 2:30 AM in the morning. But at this time the Devotees with Mangala Aarti tickets are only allowed entry.
The Mangala Aarti Darshan goes up to 4:00 AM in the morning after which the Darshan gets opened for the General Devotees.
The 2nd Aarti performed in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the Bhog Aarti which starts at 11:30 AM in the morning. During this time only the ticket holders are allowed to have the Darshans in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Bhog Aarti gets over at 1:00 PM
The 3rd Aarti performed in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the Saptarishi Aarti which starts at 07:15 PM in the evening. During this time only the ticket holders are allowed to have the Darshans in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Saptarishi Aarti gets over at 8:00 PM.
The 4th Aarti performed in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the Night Shringar Aarti which starts at 9:00 PM. During this time only the ticket holders are allowed to have the Darshans in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Night Shringar Aarti gets over at 10:00 PM.
The Fifth and Final Aarti performed in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is Night Sayan Aarti which starts at 11:00 PM in the nighttime.
The Darshan hour for the normal devotees ranges from 4:00 AM in morning time to 11:00 PM in the night during the course of which 5 Aarti’s are performed in the Temple.

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    Kashi Archan Foundation

    Frequent Asked Question

    Kashi Vishwanath Temple Address ?

    Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001

    How many types of Aarti is performed in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple??

    The temple performs 4 types of Aarti as Mangla Aarti, Mid-Day Bhog
    Aarti, Sapta-Rishi Aarti & Night/Shringar Aarti.

    Is there any dress code for darshan in Kashi Vishwanath Temple??

    There is no dress code for Darshan, however the devotees are advised
    to wear decent clothes

    Nearest Railway Station/Bus Station/Airport of Kashi Vishwanath Temple??

    The nearest Railway station is Varanasi Railway, Bus station is Chaudhary
    Charan Singh Bus Stand and Air-port are Babatpur Airport.

    What are the major functions/festivals of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple??

    Some major functions are Rangbhari Ekadashi, Diwali, Monthly
    Shivratri, Mahashivratri, Kartik month etc.

    How many types of Rudrabhishek is performed in the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple? Kashi Vishwanath Temple??

    The Rudrabhishek includes 1 Shastri, 5 Shastri, and 11 Shastri
    Rudrabhishek and Laghu Rudra and Maha-Rudra too.