Story of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga

||वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं||

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath is the 9th Jyotirlinga of the supreme Lord Shiva. Kashi Vishwanath is situated in the ancient holy city of Varanasi, also known as Benaras in the state of Uttar Pradesh. I have personally been to Varanasi in 2018 and had the darshan of Baba Vishwanath. I also got the chance to do the Rudra-Abhishek and obtain the blessings of Lord Shiva. It is also known as the golden temple of Varanasi.

Remains of the destroyed ancient Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of India and also its cultural capital. This city is situated on the western banks of the holiest river Ganga. In the heart of the city stands the temple of Kashi Vishwanath in its full glory. The old temple was destroyed by Aurangzeb who built the Gyanvyapi Mosque in its place. The old wall of the original Vishwanath temple can be seen clearly at the site.

Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore

 The present structure was built by Maratha ruler Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is also known as the Golden Temple because 1-tonne gold was donated by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, the first Sikh ruler for flaming temple dome. 

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first Sikh Ruler

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Gali

The Kashi Viswanath Gali is also a major attraction in Varanasi. The temple is reached through a series of narrow lanes. Local markets are set-up in the lanes and you get to see many more small and ancient temples here. The vendors have many facilities like locker rooms, puja thalis etc. Locker rooms are a necessity because taking anything other than worship material inside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is strictly prohibited.

Nandi Statue at Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The other attractions in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple premises are the Nandi statue and the Gyanvyapi well. When I visited the temple I was also surprised to see that the Nandi statue was not facing Lord Shiva. On researching a bit I came to know that from the point of the Nandi statue one could see the jyotirlinga directly. Hence, it is proved that the original temple stood where the Gyanvyapi mosque now stands.

Gyanvyapi Well in Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The second attraction is Gyanvyapi well. ‘Gyanvyapi’ means “well of knowledge.” This well is special because the original Jyotirlinga is hidden in the well. When the Muslim invader, Aurangzeb destroyed the Kashi Vishwanath temple, the chief priest uprooted the Shivling and jumped into the Gyanvyapi well to protect it from getting it into the hands of Aurangzeb. The devotees pay their respects to this well and drink water from this well that is offered by the priest.

Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi

Do read 'An introduction to Jyotirlinga' to get yourself familiar with the Jyotirlingas and better understand their legends.

The most famous ghat of Varanasi is the Dasaswamedh Ghat which is located a mere 600 meters from the Temple. This ghat is famous because it is the main ghat of Varanasi. The Ganga aarti at this ghat is really mesmerising and peace-giving. You can also hire boats at Dashashwamedh ghat to take you to the centre of the river where you can take a dip. It is not recommended to swim as the water current is very strong and you can be carried away by it.

The priest performing Ganga Aarti

Legend of Kashi Vishwanath:

Kashi is very dear to Mahadev. It is said that anyone who dies in Kashi attains Moksha. Manikarnika Ghat which is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga is a Shaktipeetha of Devi Sati. 

The city of Kashi

Vishwanath means “lord of the universe.” Lord Bhrama was very proud of his creation. But the human that he created was miserable. There was misery, sadness, anarchy everywhere. Once Lord Shiva decided to see the creation of Lord Bhrama. When he saw the creation he became so upset and enraged at the same time. Looking at the creation, his eyes welled up with tears and when they fell on the ground, Rudraksha beads came into being. He was shocked and grief-stricken.

Lord Kal- Bhairav with Brahma's 5th Head

Lord Shiva assumed the form of deadly Bhairava- the furious one. With his sharp claws, Bhairava attacked Bhrama. He snatched out his fifth head with his sharp claws. Brahma shrieked in agony and begged for mercy, but there was none in the infuriated Bhairava’s eyes. 

Plan of the ancient Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Brahma pleaded to Shiva. He said, “I created the world, not the misery! The world is neither happy nor sad, neither beautiful nor ugly. It just is! Everything else is just the perception of the mind.” “But you created the mind too!” Bhairava interrupted Brahma. Who controls the mind? Can the mind be enlightened by truth or can it be deluded by perceptions? The questions were interesting.

Murti of Goddess Ganga at Dashashwamedh Ghat

Lord Shiva, with the severed head of Brahma, came to Avimukta, Kashi. There he sought the answers as to how to control the mind. Finally, he found the way: YOGA. Since Lord Shiva found all his answers here at Kashi and also got liberated from the sin of Bhram-hatya, Kashi became dear to him.

Lord Shiva teaching Yoga to the Saptrishis

 After a day of Bhrama(8,64,00,00,000 human years to be precise! Yes, that is huge) is completed, Pralay starts. During this time Lord Shiva holds the city of Kashi on his Trishul and saves it from destruction. After the Pralay, he again establishes Kashi on the earth. Hence, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is of great significance for Shaivites.

Preparation of the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings:

Saptrishi Aarti of Baba Vishwanath

02:30 AM- Temple opening hours.

03:00 AM- 04:00 AM- Mangala Aarti.

04:00 AM- 06:00 PM- Rudrabhishek

06:00 AM- 06:00 PM- Sugam Darshan( VIP Darshan with Shastri)

11:15 AM- 12:20 PM- Bhog Aarti.

07:00 PM- 08:15 PM- Sandhya Aarti.

09:15 PM- 10:15 PM- Shringaar Aarti.

10:30 PM- 11:00 PM- Shayan Aarti.

11:00 PM- Temple closing hours.

How to reach Kashi Vishwanath/ Varanasi:

By Road:

Varanasi Bypass Road, Varanasi.

I chose this method to travel to Varanasi because it is flexible as well as more enjoyable tan train or aeroplane. If you live in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh or Bihar I would personally suggest travelling by road. Varanasi has excellent connectivity with the major cities of India. It is around 300 km from Lucknow and takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach. The roads are also well maintained although you may encounter some rough terrain depending on the route.

By Train:

Kashi - Mahakal Express.

Varanasi is well connected to all the major cities of India. The Varanasi Railway Junction and Kashi railway station are the two major railheads. The Indian railways also started a private special train ‘Kashi- Mahakaal Humsafar Express’ which travels from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Indore Indore in Madhya Pradesh via Lucknow. The train is operated with 84201/84202 train numbers twice in a week.

By Air: 

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi

Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport or the Varanasi Airport is well linked to major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai etc. Flights are available from Kathmandu also. One can hire a prepaid taxi to reach the city centre. Domestic carriers like Indigo, Air India operate flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Khajuraho, Goa etc.

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