Standing on the western bank of India's
holiest rever 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 wll as global
levels. On January 28, 1983 the Temple was taken over by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and
it's management eversince 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 Naubatkhan was built up infront 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 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 possidle. Shayana Aartis 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-
Source: http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/KASHI.html
