KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE.

KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE.

Ø     Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Benaras, the Holiest Place of Hindus and center of earth in Hindu Cosmology where at least once in life a Hindu is expected to do pilgrimage and if possible pour the remains or ashes of cremated ancestors here on the River Ganga.

Ø     It is in state of Uttar Pradesh, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples.

Ø     The main deity is known by the name Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara meaning the Ruler of the universe.

Ø      The temple town that claims to be the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history is also called Kashi and hence the temple is popularly called as Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Ø     Due to 15.5m high golden spire, the temple is sometimes called as the Golden Temple, similar to the Golden temple, a Sikh Gurudwara at Amritsar.

Ø     The temple has been referred in Hindu theology since a very long time and as a central part of worship in the Shaiva philosophy.

Ø     The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. The Gyanavapi mosque, which is adjacent to the temple, is the original site of the temple.

Ø     The original temple was destroyed by aurangzeb who built a mosque in its place, but the traces of the old temple can be seen behind the mosque.

Ø     The current structure is believed to have been built by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780.

Ø     Since 1983, the temple is being managed by Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Ø     During the religious occasion of Shivratri, Kashi Naresh that is King of Kashi is the chief officiating priest and no other person or priest is allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum. It is only after he performs his religious functions that others are allowed to enter.

Ø     The linga the main deity at the shrine is 60 cm tall and 90 cm in circumference housed in a silver altar.

Ø     There are small temples for Kaalbhairav, Dhandapani, Avimukteshwara, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Virupaksha and Virupaksh Gauri in the complex.

Ø     There is a small well in the temple called the Jnana Vapi also called as the the wisdom well and it is believed that the Jytorlinga was hidden in the well to protect it at the time of invasion.

Ø     It is said that the main priest of the temple had jumped in the well with the Shiv Ling in order to protect it from the invaders.

Ø     Varanasi becomes immensely sacred due to the existence of Mahadev  that is Lord Shiva.

Ø     The never ending joyous spirit of the city is in close proximity with the essence of Kashi Vishwanath.

Ø     Displaying a gesture of impeccable harmony, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and a Mosque in Varanasi co-exists in the same premises.

Ø     The Kashi Vishwanath temple registers a stunning visit record that tolls to around 3000 visitors every day. At certain occasions, the numbers reach lacs.

Importance of the temple

Ø     The temple is widely recognized as one of the most important places of worship in Hindu religion and most of the leading Hindu saints, including Adi Sankaracharya, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Goswami Tulsidas, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Gurunanak have visited this site.

Ø     A visit to the temple and a bath in the river Ganges is one of many methods believed to lead one on a path to Moksha means liberation.

Ø     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.

Ø     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.

Ø     On January 28, 1983 the Temple was taken over by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and it's management ever since stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with Divisional Commissioner as Chairman.

Ø     In the year 1785 a Naubatkhana was built up in front of the Temple by the then Collector Mohammad Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor General Warren Hastings.

Ø     In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.

Ø     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.

Ø     Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple.

RITUALS

Ø     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.

Ø     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.

Ø     When Shringar/Bhog Aarati starts. After 9 p.m. Darshan from out side only is possible. Shayana Aarti starts at 10.30p.m.The Temple closes at 11p.m.

Ø     As Puran says Kashi Vishwanath Baba is divided in to 3 parts of Trishul [1]Kedareshwar [2] Vishweshwar [3] MahaMritunjay. According to puran the person who stays at the end of his life time gets moksha.

Ø     People who live in kashi get Aarth, Dharma, Karma, Moksha. The Temple is also known as the Golden Temple.

STRUCTURE OF LORD’S MINISTRY

Ø     Lord Vishwanath is treated as Absolute king of Kashi. Lord Hareshwar and Brahmeshwar are his minister and assistant minister,

Ø     Lord Bhairavnath is the incharge of law and order.

Ø     Similarly Lord Tarkeshwar is the cashier and Lord Veereshwar is the storekeeper and other phallus of Shiva are treated as protectors of the subjects.

Ø     In the courtyard of Vishwanath temple there are one hundred and fifty phallus of Lord Shiva.

Ø      Dharamrajeshwar is the main one. The whole team is known as Royal Court of Lord Shiva.

The temple structure

Ø     The temple complex consists of a series of smaller shrines, located in a small lane called the Vishwanatha Galli, near the river. The linga the main deity at the shrine is 60 cm tall and 90 cm in circumference housed in a silver altar.

Ø     There are small temples for Mahakala, Dhandapani, Avimukteshwara, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Virupaksha and Virupaksh Gauri in the complex.

Ø     The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Banaras consists of a mandapa and a sanctum, besides many subsidiary shrines. The sanctum has a linga made of black stone and is set into the center of the floor in a square silver altar.