09-05-2011 Kashi Vishwanath Temple

SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH MANDIR VARANASI

A Brief History

Visit Website: www.shrikashivishwanath.org

Standing on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving
city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands
in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of
Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek
benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from
the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world. A simple glimpse of the
Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that
transforms life and puts it on the path of
knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara
Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique
significance in the spiritual history of India.
Tradition has it that the merits earned by the
darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in
various parts of India accrue to devotee by a
single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu
mind, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been
a living embodinent of our timeless cultural
traditions and highest spiritual values. The
Temple has been visited by all great saints-
Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna
Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami
Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati,
Gurunanak and several other spiritual
personalities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple
attracts visitors not only from India but abroad
as well and thereby symbolises man's desire
to live in peace snd harmony with one another. Vishwanath being a supreme repository of this
spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling at the
national as well as global levels. On January 28, 1983 the Temple was taken over by the Govt.
of Uttar Pradesh and it's management ever since stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti
Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with
Divisional Commissioner as Chairman. The Temple in the present shape was built way back in
1780 by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In the year 1785 a Naubatkhana was built
up in front of the Temple by the then Collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor
General Warren Hastings. In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by
Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Third dome but was remained uncovered, Ministry of
cultures & Religious affairs of U.P. Govt. took keen interest for gold plating of third dome of
Temple.

RITUALS
The Temple opens daily at 2.30a.m. in Mangala Aarati 3 to 4 a.m. ticket holders are permitted

http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/kashi.html 1/2
09-05-2011 Kashi Vishwanath Temple
to join. From 4 to 11 a.m. general Darshan is allowed. 11.30 to 12 a.m. mid day Bhog Aarati is
done. Again 12 noon to 7 p.m. devotees are free to have darshan. From 7 to 8.30 p.m. evening
Sapta Rishi Aarati is done after which darshan is again possible uptill 9 p.m. when
Shringar/Bhog Aarati starts. After 9 p.m. Darshan from out side only is possible. Shayana Aarti
starts at 10.30p.m.The Temple closes at 11p.m.

Most of the Prasad,milk,clothes and other such offerings are given to the poors.

Contribution in cash or kind towards development or specific purposes are accepted giving
due thought and a receipt thereof is issued and the donation is used for the desired seva.
Devotees are requested to record complaint/suggestions,if any,on the complaint/suggestion
book at the counter. Matters requiring quick action can be brought to the notice of the Chief
Executive Officer directly. All donation Cheques/Drafts be drawn in the name "Shri Kashi
Vishwanath Mandir Fund" and sent at the address below-

Chief Executive Officer

SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH MANDIR

Vishwanath Gali,VARANASI-221001

ARTI-DARSHAN

TEMPLE MANGLA BHOG SANDHYA SRINGAR SHAYAN

SRI VISHWANATH JI 3.00A.M. 1.30NOON 7.00P.M. 9.00P.M. 10.30P.M.
SRI ANNAPURNA JI 4.00A.M. 11.30NOON 7.00P.M. 10.00P.M.
SRI KALBHAIRO JI 5.00A.M. 01.30NOON 8.00P.M. 12.00P.M.
SRI SANKATHA JI 4.30/6.30A.M. 02.30NOON 11.00P.M. 11.00P.M.
SRI DURGA JI(DURGA
5.00A.M. 7.00P.M. 11.00P.M.
KUNDA)
SRI SANKAT MOCHAN 4.30A.M. 12.00NOON 3.00P.M. 8.00P.M. 10.30P.M.

HOME

http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/kashi.html 2/2