Introduction: 

The aim of this writeup is to explore the sacred significance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Jyotirlinga or Kashi Vishwanath Shivling and to elaborate its history, spirituality, and devotion with which the devotees from all over India and abroad throng in the sacred city of Varanasi.

Since time immemorial, the Vishwanath Temple Jyotirlinga or Kashi Vishwanath Shivling or Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple on the banks of holy River Ganges, has held the stature of a holy and sacred place in the Hindu religion.

The religious gaiety and serenity, soaked in healing soulful potion brimming with spirituality is writ large across the innumerable Ghats in the city of Kashi, along the meandering course of River Ganges across the sacred city of Varanasi. 

History of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir or Kashi Vishwanath Temple History :

As far as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple History is concerned, the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Banaras or Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple or the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Varanasi was built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780 A.D. 

The original Baba Kashi Vishwanath Varanasi temple was initially known as Adi Vishveshwar Temple. During the Mughal rule in India, India Kashi Vishwanath Temple, valiantly faced vicissitudes of time, umpteen numbers of times.

Baba Vishwanath Varanasi or the Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple was destroyed by Mughal emperors but Lord Shiva, the destructor of evil, continued to bless His devotees with happiness and merriment. 

Sacred  Significance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi:

The narrow and cavernous streets, lanes and bylanes outpour and effervesce, the pious religious aura 24×7. This all is a vibrant city of Kashi which continues to evoke religious and spiritual fervor in devotees. A steady stream of people is witnessed round the year which swells beyond measure, during festivals.

Baba Kashi or Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi, a Jyotirlinga dedicated to Lord Shiva, where the column or the pillar of light, the Jyotirlinga represents the Supreme power of the Lord Shiva. 

The legend has it that the Supreme Lord Shiva protects the holy city of Kashi even during the apocalypse by lifting the entire city on His Trident, the Trishul and places it back later in the favorable times. 

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Darshan & Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings:

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Darshan can be taken by adhering to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings schedule.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Darshan Timings: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Darshan Sugam timings are 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. The charges for Shri Kashi Vishwanath Darshan Sugam are Rs 300/-. Pilgrims can avail Kashi Vishwanath online booking services as well. Pilgrims who are interested to perform Aarti and Rudrabhishek can also avail Kashi Vishwanath online booking services. 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi Timings or the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Darshan timings or the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Opening and Closing time: For the devotees, Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi Timings are 3:00am to 11:00 pm. Thus, Kashi Vishwanath Temple Opening and Closing time, provides ample flexibility. 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Aarti can be performed in the dawn. Kashi Vishwanath Aarti time for the Mangla Aarti on normal days is 3:00 to 4:00 AM. The charges for Kashi Vishwanath Temple Aarti-Mangla are Rs. 350/- on a normal day. However on festival days it is higher. Kashi Vishwanath Aarti time for Bhog /Aarti is 11:15 am to 12:20 PM. 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Baba Vishwanath Temple Varanasi is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas representing Lord Shiva. It is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga. India Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi has the main deity i,e, Vishwanath which means the Ruler of the world. 

The ardent devotees call the Kashi Vishwanath temple Varanasi by different names such as- Baba Kashi Vishwanath, Baba Vishwanath Varanasi, Banaras Kashi Vishwanath or India Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Story: 

As per the Kashi Vishwanath Temple story, it is said that after the solemnization of marriage with the Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva stayed at the Kailash Parvat. But there Goddess Parvati didn’t like spending married life at her father’s place. One day she asked Lord Shiva to take her home as she did not like to stay there. 

All married girls go to their grooms house but she had to stay at her father’s house. Lord Shiva agreed to Goddess Parvati’s request and together with Goddess Parvati came  to His Kashi Dham. At Kashi, he appeared in the form of a column of light at the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Varanasi or the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Banaras.

By worshiping Lord Shiva at Benaras Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, at the banks of holy River Ganges, the devotees get riddance from agonies, pain, miseries and their ailments.

Inside Kashi Vishwanath temple –Shiva Linga in Garbhagriha:

Inside Kashi Vishwanath temple, there are five mandapas. At Baba Kashi Vishwanath inside Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Varanasi, the lingam is situated in Garbhagriha. The Lingam acts as a beacon of light of wisdom and intelligence which dispels the darkness that creeps in in the form of ignorance, lethargy and confusion. 

Kashi Vishwanath Yatra:

The Kashi Vishwanath Yatra has been made much easier with the establishment of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project. Government is taking all out measures to smoothen the darshan. In this direction Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project was launched in 2019 with a view to prevent crowding and to unclog the space between the Kashi Vishwanath temple and Manikarnika Ghat on the bank of Ganges. 

Through the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project, during the Kashi Vishwanath Yatra, the pilgrims have the option to avail various amenities. Rudraksha Convention Centre can accommodate 1200 people. It has meeting rooms, an art gallery and a multi-purpose pre-function area. 

This Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project at the estimated cost of 339 crores will certainly boost religious and spiritual tourism in Benares or Varanasi. Kashi Vishwanath Yatra is now possible without any hustle and bustle. 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Nearest Railway Station:

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Nearest Railway Station is Varanasi Junction (BSB). The fastest train for Varanasi is Vandebharat train. The travel time is around 8 hours. It leaves NDLS at 06:00 hours and arrives at Varanasi Junction(BSB) at 14:00 hours. 

The Neelanchal Express train leaves Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) at 07:30 hours and reaches Varanasi Junction(BSB) at 21:40 hours. Besides the above, there are many trains going to Varanasi. It is very well connected both by train and road.

Distance between Lucknow and Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi:

The road distance between Lucknow and Varanasi is around 313 kms. The travel time is around 5 hours 10 minutes via Purvanchal Expressway. 

Ayodhya to Kashi distance:

Ayodhya to Kashi distance is around 218 kms. If one covers Ayodhya to Kashi distance via Sultanpur, it will take around 4 to 5 hours. However, if pilgrims prefer to cover Ayodhya to Kashi distance via Purvanchal Express, it is around 268 kms.

Varanasi to Kashi Vishwanath Temple distance:

Varanasi to Kashi Vishwanath Temple distance via Varanasi Cantt Overbridge is around 7 kms. This Varanasi to Kashi Vishwanath Temple distance can be covered in around 30 minutes. Varanasi Airport to Kashi Vishwanath Temple Distance is around 26 kms. By taxi, the Varanasi Airport to Kashi Vishwanath Temple Distance can be covered in around 1 hour.

Gaya to Kashi Distance: Gaya to Kashi distance is around 251 kms.

Places to visit near Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi:

Pilgrims visiting Kashi Vishwanath Temple Benaras or Kashi Station have the opportunity to visit the following famous sites:-

• –The Dasaswamedh Ghat– It is the main Ghat in Varanasi on the River Ganges. 
• –Assi Ghat– The famous morning Aarti is held at the Assi Ghat. 
• –Ganga Aarti– Pilgrims can witness the soulful Ganga Aarti performed in the evening by Ganga Seva Nidhi Samiti. During Aarti, the Ghat comes alive with delight and energy sending silent ripples across mind, soul and body.
• –Sarnath- The Dhamekha Stupa, the holy site where Buddha first preached his message. 
• – Sankat Mochan Temple– Sankat Mochan Temple is a famous pilgrimage where the deity is Lord Hanuman. 
• –Shri Visalakshi Mata Shakti Peeth Temple, Kashi.
• –Shri Satyanarayan Tulsi Manas Mandir, Varanasi.
• –Vindham Waterfalls– The Vindham Waterfalls, Mirzapur are nestled in the lush green environment on the rocky terrain. These are at a distance of around 90 kms from Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi. Vindham Waterfalls is a gorgeous waterfall and a popular tourist attraction. Pilgrims can visit these temples and tourist places during their Kashi Yatra. 

The pilgrims who come to Baba Vishwanath Temple Varanasi for Shri Kashi Vishwanath Darshan in the city of Shree Visheshwar, also prefer to visit 5 famous pilgrimages viz.- Dashashwamedh, Lolark, Bindumadhav, Keshav and Manikarnika. 

Conclusion:

In the North of Kashi Station is Onkarkhand, in the South is Kedarkhand and in the middle is Visheshwar Khand. The famous Vishweshwar Jyotirlinga or the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been consecrated in this middle region- the Visheshwar Khand.

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is the most sought after pilgrimage where pilgrims incessantly throng in large numbers. Pilgrims can avail the facility of Kashi Vishwanath online booking for ensuring hassle free pilgrimage.

People long to visit Kashi to attain salvation so as to get rid of the cycle of birth and death. The meandering River Ganges continue to bless the devotees of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga all the time. 

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: @acharyaganeshchannel

FAQs:

Q.1. How to reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple by flight from Delhi?

Ans. 1. Usually, the flight from Delhi to Varanasi takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. The aerial distance is around 676 kms. 

Q.2. How to reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple by road?

Ans.2. Delhi to Kashi distance via Agra- Lucknow Expressway is about 873 kms. It takes around 13 and half hours to cover Delhi to Kashi distance.

Q.3. Is free Prasad/food offered in the Kashi Vishwanath temple premises?

Ans.3. Yes. Kashi Vishwanath temple is adroitly managed by the board of trustees set up by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The devotees are served free prasad/food in the courtyard of the Banaras Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The timings for offering free food is 12.30 to 3.00 pm.

Q.4. What is Varanasi to Kashi distance?

Ans.4. Varanasi to Kashi distance is around 6.6 kms.