Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu temple which is situated on the banks of the holy Ganges river in the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh India. Varanasi is one of the longest-occupied cities in India, which is also famous for the different names Banaras or Kashi. This place is one of the seven holiest cities and is also home to several important Hindu temples. Varanasi is also known for being a place where pantanjali which is the creator of the Ayurveda and yoga tradition and said to have lived and taught. This city is also known as Buddhist City. Here Lord Buddha is said to have given his first sermon there. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas temples in Varanasi for worshipping the holiest of Hindu Gods Shiva. Seven of the other Jyotirlingas temples are very close to Vishwanath.
History of Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Stories about the Kashi Vishwanath Temple can be found in an ancient text called the Kashi Kanda. This text tells a story about a wisdom well that can be found on the temple’s site. The Kashi Kandi is the fourth section of a much larger Hindu sacred work called the Skanda Purana, which covers various topics from history to religion. The very first temple on the site was built by King Vikramaditya 2500 years ago and was renovated in the 12th century.
Varanasi has a great deal of river frontage, with steps or ghats available for pilgrims to wash in the holy water of the Ganges. Although the River Ganges has long been associated with religious, healing, and cleansing powers for Hindu worshippers, the history of Kashi Vishwanath is also related to Muslim history. The period of the Mughal Empire’s presence in India affected the practice of Hinduism in some cases, including the fate of their temples.
In, 1585 the first recorded large-scale reconstruction was sanctioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar, but his great-grandson Aurangzeb ordered to demolition in 1699 and used its debris for a new mosque near its site. The present structure which is popularly famous as the Golden Temple because of the gold used in the later plating of its spires and domes is believed to have been built during the 18th century by Ahalya Bai of the Holkar dynasty.
In Vishwanath Temple columns beams and walls are decorated with finely carved ornamentation. Inside the temple compound which is hidden behind the wall and accessible only to Hindus. In this many numerous smaller lingams represent the symbols of Lord Shiva, clustered around the principal objects of worship – the smooth black stone lingam which stands 2 feet (0.6 m) high and 3 feet (0.9 m) in circumference and rests on a silver pedestal. A series of lesser shrines with more lingam and goddess images can be found in the courtyard and in the north it contains the gyan vappi.
Origin of Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The origins of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple can be traced back to ancient times, and its history is intertwined with the legendary city of Varanasi, which is also known as Kashi or Banaras. Kashi, one of the seven holiest cities in Hinduism, is considered the abode of Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer of the universe.
The history of the temple is said to date back to the time immemorial, and this is mentioned in various Hindu scriptures, including the Skanda Purana and the Kashi Khanda. According to legend, says that Lord Shiva himself established the Jyotirlinga, a sacred representation of his formless lingam (phallus), at this location. This Jyotirlinga is believed to be the embodiment of divine power, and it draws devotees from all corners of the world.
The original temple was constructed by a devotee his named King Harishchandra in ancient times. Over the centuries, It underwent several reconstructions and renovations, reflecting the changing architectural styles and religious practices of different eras.
Significance of Hinduism
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism. It is believed that a pilgrimage to this sacred site washes away one’s sins and grants salvation (moksha). Devotees come from far and wide to offer their prayers and to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The temple is an integral part of the Char Dham Yatra, which encompasses four sacred pilgrimage sites in India. The other three are Badrinath, Dwarka, and Puri. Pilgrims aspire to visit all four dhams to attain spiritual fulfillment.
Mythology and Legends
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is steeped in mythology and legends that have captivated devotees and visitors for centuries. These stories not only add to the temple’s mystique but also provide a deeper understanding of its spiritual significance. Let’s talk about some of the most prominent myths and legends associated with this revered temple.
The Legend of Lord Shiva’s Appearance:
The main deity of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is Lord Shiva, often referred to as Vishwanath or Vishveshvara, which means the “Ruler of the Universe.” According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva manifested in Varanasi to bless the city and its inhabitants. It is believed that His presence here makes Varanasi a sacred place where salvation (moksha) can be attained.
The Jyotirlinga Legend:
One of the most significant legends surrounding the temple is the story of the Jyotirlinga. A Jyotirlinga is a sacred representation of Lord Shiva in the form of a radiant lingam (phallus). According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Vishwanath himself established the Jyotirlinga in Varanasi, making it one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. This Jyotirlinga represents the eternal nature of Lord Shiva and attracts countless pilgrims seeking divine blessings.
The Legend of Kaal Bhairav:
Kaal Bhairav, is an incarnation of Lord Shiva, which is believed to be the guardian deity of Varanasi and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is said that Kaal Bhairav ensures that no one can enter Varanasi with impure intentions. Legend has it that Kaal Bhairav cut off one of Lord Brahma’s five heads as a punishment for his arrogance, thus signifying the supremacy of Lord Shiva.
The Legend of Annapurna Devi:
Adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple there is the Annapurna Temple, dedicated to the goddess of nourishment, Annapurna Devi. According to mythology, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati once had a playful argument about the importance of sustenance. To demonstrate her point, Goddess Parvati disappeared, causing the entire world to suffer from hunger. In response, Lord Shiva took the form of a beggar and visited Varanasi. Here, Goddess Annapurna fed Him, and in gratitude, Lord Shiva promised that poverty would never befall Varanasi.
The Legend of King Harishchandra:
King Harishchandra, known for his unwavering commitment to truth and justice, is believed to have constructed the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple. His story of sacrifice, as depicted in the Harishchandra Ghat of Varanasi, is closely associated with the temple’s history. It is said that the king lost his kingdom, family, and wealth due to his adherence to truth but eventually regained his kingdom with the blessings of Lord Vishwanath.
The Tale of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar:
In the 18th century, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore played an important role in the temple’s reconstruction. It is said that she was a devout devotee of Lord Shiva and, upon hearing about the temple’s dilapidated state, decided to rebuild it. Her contributions not only restored the temple but also enhanced its architectural grandeur.
The Eternal Connection of Varanasi:
The city of Varanasi itself is steeped in mythology, with numerous legends associated with the city’s sacredness. It is often referred to as the “City of Lord Shiva” and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of destruction, known as the Tandava. The city’s association with the Ganges River, which is considered a sacred river in Hinduism, adds to its divine significance. Ability to adapt and thrive despite challenges. The temple has also played a role in the development of Varanasi as a center of learning, culture, and spirituality.
The city of Varanasi, in which the temple is located, is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It has been a hub for scholars, artists, and seekers of spiritual wisdom for centuries. The temple’s presence has contributed significantly to Varanasi’s reputation as a city of learning and enlightenment.
Challenges and Controversies
Since its long history, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has faced various challenges and controversies. Some of the key issues include:
Religious Conflicts: The presence of the Gyanvapi Mosque adjacent to the temple has been a source of religious tension and legal disputes. This controversy is still going on in Hindu devotees who have advocated for the temple’s complete reclamation, while Muslim groups have opposed any changes to the status quo.
Crowd Management: The temple attracts a large number of pilgrims and tourists daily, leading to issues related to crowd management, security, and infrastructure. At the festival time lots of crowed seen in the temple, but due to efforts are made to improve facilities and streamline the visitor experience.
What is the mystery of Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
There are many mysteries about this Temple but, the most famous is that it has three domes which is covered in gold. According to popular belief, any wish is fulfilled if it is made after seeing the golden chakra. When this news Aurangzeb, then he plans to destroy the Temple, the idol of Shiva was hidden in a well to protect it from destruction.
Survey on the Gyanvapi and Vishwanath Temple
In related to these many suits have been filed for the right to worship at the original Shiva Temple i.e. Gyan Vapi. The Varanasi court ordered a videographed survey of the Gyanvapi complex. This was opposed and even physically resisted by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which also challenged the survey order in the Allahabad High Court. The high court heard the parties, considered the matter, and found the order for the conduct of the survey as lawful.
Despite the high court negating their challenge, Intezamia Committee members declared they wouldn’t permit it, and that they were ready to face the consequences. The survey order was then taken to the Supreme Court, where it was mentioned in the CJI’s court when the request for a stay on the order was filed. The Supreme Court did not stay the survey order.
The police and administration were successful in ensuring that the survey was completed. The survey team has found three things
- Debris of the temple containing Hindu motifs
- Pillars of the original temple bearing Hindu symbols
- A Shivling appeared once the wudu(ablution) tank was drained.
It was common for Mughals to leave the debris of a temple at captured sites itself, as also Hindu motifs on the pillars, so that every visitor of the conquered people could see these and feel the humiliation.
The Act which does not apply to the Gyanvapi
- Section 4(3) of the Act provides that it would not apply to any property regarding which any suit or appeal has been finally decided by a court before the commencement of this Act.
- It may be recollected that one Din Mohammad had filed a suit with two others, claiming that the mosque and its entire enclosures were a waqf and that Muslims had the right to use the said property. The suit was dismissed. Din Mohammad appealed, but this too was dismissed. The judgment is reported as AIR 1942 Allahabad 353. The civil judge found that the mosque “was built on the site of a Hindu temple which was demolished by Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century”. The finding was not disturbed by the high court, which concurred with the finding that the entire enclosure did not have a Muslim community and that a portion of it had Hindus.
- The Act also does not apply to any place of worship that is ancient and is a historical monument or archaeological site remains. As stated, the structures in Gyanvapi are constructed over pillars of an old temple, which are certainly over 100 years old and have an archaeological value.
- The Act also does not apply to any place whereupon any other law is enforced for the time being. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is administered under the Uttar Pradesh Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Act, 1983.
Conclusion
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi stands as a testament to the enduring faith and cultural richness of India. It has many history marked by destruction and reconstruction and reflects the unwavering devotion of countless worshippers over the centuries. This sacred site continues to inspire pilgrims, scholars, and artists, making it a focal point of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
As the temple evolves to meet the challenges of the modern world, it remains a symbol of the timeless connection between the divine and the human spirit, drawing people from all walks of life to seek solace, enlightenment, and salvation in the heart of Varanasi.
