Summary

• •Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
• •Situated on the western bank of the Ganges, this ancient city is among the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth and a focal point of Hindu spirituality.
• •The temple's current structure was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, with a gold-plated spire donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, and is now connected to the ghats via the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

Overview

• •Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India, is one of the seven holiest cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism.
• •The Kashi Vishwanath Temple enshrines one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, representing a radiant manifestation of Shiva.
• •The city's riverfront comprises about 88 ghats, where daily rituals and the famous Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat draw pilgrims.
• •Cremation at Manikarnika or Harishchandra Ghat is believed to grant moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
• •Nearby Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon, adds a layer of Buddhist heritage, while BHU's New Vishwanath Temple welcomes all castes.

Religious Significance

Kashi Vishwanath is not only one of the twelve jyotirlingas but also a central site for the belief that dying in Varanasi grants moksha. The temple's gold-plated spire and the sacred Ganges nearby amplify its sanctity. The recent Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has enhanced access from the ghats, symbolizing a spiritual connection between the river and the deity. Pilgrims also visit Sarnath and BHU, making Varanasi a microcosm of India's diverse religious heritage.