Vishwanatha (Lord Shiva) :
The main deity is known by Lord Vishwanatha or Vishveshvara meaning Ruler of Our Universe. Inside the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple is the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishveshvara or Vishwanatha. The Vishveshvara Jyotirlinga has very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India.
According to structure of this temple, there is Sabha Gruha or Congregation Hall leading to inner Garbha Gruha or Sanctum Sanctorum. The venerable Jyotirlinga is dark brown colored stone which is enshrined in the Sanctum, is placed on silver platform. Structure of the Mandir is composed of three parts. The first part compromises spire on Mandir of Lord Vishwanatha or Mahadeva. The second is golden dome and the third is golden shikhara of Lord Vishwanatha carrying flag and trident on top of this Temple.
Sri Ulagamman
Goddess Sri Shenbagam
This unique Temple is stands on western bank of India's holiest river Ganges; Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of this world and is considered as cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city stands in its fullest majestic temple is he Lord Kashi Vishwanatha Temple which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, Vishveshvara or Vishwanatha.
Here descend millions of devotees of India to seek blessings and spiritual peace by darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of Maya and unescapable entanglements of this materialistic world. By visiting LORD SRI KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE and glimpse of this Jyotirlinga is soul-cleansing experience which transforms your life and enabling devotee on path of knowledge, bhakti and devotion to God.
Vishveshvara Jyotirlinga is very special and has unique significance in the spiritual history of India. Tradition narrates & immense benefits/merits earned by this darshan compared to visit to other Jyotirlinga across parts of India accrue to devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanatha Temple.
Deeply and intimately implanted in staunch Hindu mind, Lord Kashi Vishwanatha Temple is living embodiment of our timeless religious & cultural traditions and with highest spiritual values. The Temple has been visited by all great saints-such as Sri Adi Shankaracharya,Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa,Sri Swami Vivekananda, Sant Goswami Tulsidas, Sri Maharishi Dayanand Saraswathi, Sant Gurunanak and also several spiritual personalities.
The Lord Kashi Vishwanatha Temple attracts visitors not only from India but also across the world as this temple visit symbolizes mankind’s desire to live in peace and harmony with one another.
Lord Vishwanatha considered as supreme repository of this spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling at the national as well at global levels. On January 28, 1983 this Temple was officially engaged by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and it's management now stands entrusted to the Trust managed by Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as its president and an Executive Committee with Divisional Commissioner as Chairman. This Temple in the present shape was constructed in 1780 by Late Maharani Ahailya Bai Holkar of Indore. In year 1785 Naubatkhana was built in front of the Temple by then Collector Mohamed Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor General Warren Hastings. In 1839, two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by Punjab King 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 his Temple.
Lord Kashi Vishwanatha Temple has most religious importance for the worship in the Hindu religion. Many great Hindu saints (like Sri Adi Sankaracharya, Sri Goswami Tulsidas, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Sri, Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, Sri Swami Vivekananda, Sant Gurunanak etc.) visited this temple in Varanasi also to take bath in this holy river of Ganges and to have Darshan of this Lord Kashi Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga. It is believed that the one who takes bath (at least once in their lifetime) in this Holy River Ganges in this holy city of Varanasi will attain Moksha in this birth. Truly devotees of the Lord Shiva get freedom from the cycle of the death and birth. After death they directly intermingled into the Mahadev. People believe that any devotee who decides to end their life at this place of Varanasi, Lord Shiva would enable and utter the mantra of freedom in his ear to depart from this world Details about this Shiva temple is described in the Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana. Kashi Vishwanatha temple was constructed by then King Harish Chandra in 11th century. This temple was destroyed and reconstructed many times. The current reconstruction was carried out by the Hindu Maratha queen Ahailya Bai Holkar of Malwa kingdom
As per Shiva Purana, once Lord Brahma (Hindu God for creation of universe) and Lord Vishnu (Hindu God of Harmony) had an argument in terms of supremacy of creation of Universe/Mankind, In order to test their skills Lord Shiva pierced the three worlds into a huge endless pillar of light, the Jyotirlinga. Vishnu and Brahma split their ways to downwards and upwards respectively to find the end of the light in either direction. Lord Brahma lied that he had found out the end, while Lord Vishnu conceded his defeat. Lord Shiva appeared as second pillar of light and cursed Lord Brahma for the lies he committed that he would have no ceremonies/Pooja to be offered in this world, while Vishnu would be worshiped until the end of eternity.
The Jyotirlinga is the supreme part less reality, out of which Lord Shiva partly appears. This Jyotirlinga Temples thus this is the place where Lord Shiva self-manifested as a fiery column of light. There are 64 forms of Lord Shiva, not to be confused with Jyotirlingas. Each of the twelve Jyotirlinga sites adopts the name of the presiding deity and each of these is considered different self-manifestations of Lord Shiva. At all these sites, the primary image of lingam representing the beginning and endless Stambha or pillar, symbolizing the infinite nature of Lord Shiva. The twelve Jyotirlinga are located across India as follows:- Somanath in Gujarat, Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Mahakaleshwar at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, Kedarnatha in Himalayas, Bhimashankar in Maharashtra, Vishwanatha at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Thrayambakeshwar in Maharashtra, Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, Deogarh in Deogarh, Jharkhand, Nageshwar at Dwarka in Gujarat, Rameshwara at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and Grishneshwar at Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
The Manikarnika Ghats on the banks of River Ganges near to the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple is considered as a Shakti Peethas, revered place of worship for the Shaktism sect. The mythology of Daksha Yagna, as per Shaivite literature which is considered as an important literature which has the story about the origin of Shakti Peethas. It is said that Lord Shiva came to the Kashi Vishwanatha Shrine through Manikarnika after the death of Sati Devi.
Shiva the Supreme: Shiva Linga, the Mandala :
The frame of the cosmic reality, according to ancient Hindu thought, consists of the three fundamental states called evolution (Shrishthi), existence (sthiti), and involution (samhara) these are the acts of evolution or cyclic process of infinity. Each one of the forms is controlled by God, named as follows Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the preserver) and Lord Siva/Shiva (the destroyer); these three Gods are known as the Trinity. Lord Shiva being the last to complete the cycle from where the new cycle begins and is known as Mahadev, the Supreme Divinity. The iconographic form of the Lord Shiva, the Linga represents the unity of the three states of cosmos (shown in above as).The Linga consists of these three parts.
The first which is the square base of three-layers at the bottom showing the three mythical realms (lokas or Universe), symbolizing evolution the place of Lord Brahma. The second is an octagonal round form in the middle showing the eight directions, symbolizing existence or perseverance the place of Lord Vishnu; and third is the cylinder at the top with spherical end, symbolizing involution or completion of the cosmic cycle the place of Lord Shiva. This icon shows the supreme state of integrity, the ultimate form of Lord Shiva linga itself is symbol of cosmic mandala. As Sadashiv (eternal reality) Lord Shiva is represented as linga, standing also for 'total knowledge'. As Lord Rudra (Shiva), the destroyer, his consort is MAA Kali. Also As Lord Bhairava, the final destroyer, his consort is Goddess Durga. Happy posture of living in the Himalaya with his wife Goddess Parvati. As possessor of all forms of divine power Lord Shiva traversing at the bottom of everything which is moving, is why is called as Lord Ishwar, derived from I-cara, i.e. I the center, and cara, the rhythm of movement. Lord Shiva is also depicted as cosmic dancer, Tandava Nartakari, the one who maintain the entire rhythm of the world in cosmos.
** Special Note: P.S. :
Above all information’s regarding Shivalinga and its description has been derived here from "The Linga Purna" and the book "Banaras Region: A spiritual & Cultural Guide. Indica Books, Varanasi. Pilgrimage & Cosmology Series: 1 written by "Prof. Rana P. B. Singh & Dr. Pravin S. Rana
Dress Code :
Although there is no prescribed strict dress code for entering the Kashi Vishwanath Temple premises, it is advised to wear decent clothes to visit the shrine. Shorts and miniskirts are generally not encouraged.
Security arrangements do not allow any cell phones, camera, belts with metal buckle, cigarettes, lighters, etc. inside the temple.
SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH MANDIR,
Vishwanath Gali,
Varanasi-221 001
Varanasi is easily accessible from all parts of the country. Very well connected by road, rail and air, the City offers convenient and comfortable travelling options to and from other cities of India.
By Road :
Varanasi is situated on NH2 from Calcutta to Delhi. Various City such as-
New Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Vindhyachal, Patna, Gorkhapur, Nagpur, Sonauli, Azamgarh, Gaya
Local Transport :
Taxis : Private taxis are available from travel agencies, hotels, etc., auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and Tempos are also readily available.
Left Luggage Facility : Left luggage facility is available at both the Varanasi and Mughalsarai railway stations(24 Hours).
By Rail :
Varanasi is an important and major rail junction. The city is served by trains from all metros and major cities across the country. New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai, Bangalore, Gwalior, Meerut, indore, Guwahati, Allahbad, Lucknow, Dehradun… the city has direct rail connections.
For more details about train please visit the following website.indianrail.gov.in
Varanasi Cantt Railway Station Enquiry number 139.
By Air :
All airlines in India fly to Babatpur airport which is 22 km. from Varanasi and 30 km. from Sarnath There are direct, daily flight connection between Varanasi and New Delhi. It also connects Varanasi to Delhi, Agra,. Khajuraho, Calcutta, Mumbai, Lucknow and Bhuvaneshwar. For travel reservations contact any airline websits.
Available
Available
| SL.No | Sevas / Poojas | Amount |
| Arti | ||
| 1-a | Mangala Aarti(3.00 A.M. to 4.00 A.M.) | 300.00 (Normal Days only) |
| 1-b | Mangala Aarti(3.00 A.M. to 4.00 A.M.) | 1000.00 (Shravan Monday only) |
| 1-c | Mangala Aarti(3.00 A.M. to 4.00 A.M.) | 500.00 (Shravan days except Monday) |
| 1-d | Mangala Aarti(3.00 A.M. to 4.00 A.M.) | 1500.00 (Maha Shivratri day only) |
| 1-e | Bhog/Aarti(11.15 A.M. to 12.20 P.M.) | 125 |
| 1-f | Saptarshee( 7.00 P.M. to 8.15 P.M.) | 150 |
| 1-g | Night Shringar/Bhog Aarti(9.00 P.M. to 10.15P.M.) | 150 |
| 1-h | Night Shayan Aarti(10.30 P.M. to 11 P.M.) | Free |
| Rudrabhishek | ||
| 2 | Rudrabhishek (1 shastri) | 150 |
| 3 | Rudrabhishek (5 shastri) | 400 |
| 4 | Rudrabhishek (11 shastri)-(4.00 A.M. to 6.00 P.M.) | 700 |
| 5 | Laghu Rudra (11 shastri) | 1200 |
| 6 | Maharudra (11 shastri) 11 Days | 10000 |
