Why the name KASHI and VARANASI for the Temple City:
There are various reasons for the name KASHI & VARANSI to the temple city.
- "Kasha" is a kind of grass that is found in abundance here and may be the cause for the name "KASHI". The word KASHA is mentioned in Rigveda
- Skanda Purana described the Kashi Kshetra Mahima in the chapter named KASHI KANDA
- "Kashi" means One which glows. As it enlightens the soul it is called "Kashi"
- In Kaliyuga the city is called Varanasi as the temple is in between the rivers "VARUNA' and "ASI", the tributaries of the river Ganga.
History of Shri Vishwanath Mandir, Varanasi:
Shri Vishwanath Madir is in the south east of Uttarpradesh, India on the western banks of the river Ganga. The temple city, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is said that in 490A.D. the temple was built and Kashi at one time had more than 1500 temples. Many or all most all are renovated refurbished, resurrected structures after the endemic invasions and destruction of history.
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| Sri Kashi Viswanatha Mandir,Varanasi |
The present temple was built by "Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780's and the Vimana was glided by "Maharaja Ranajith Singh". "Jnana Vapi(Holy Well) was remoduled by another Queen.
The temple structure has three domes of which Two Domes were covered by Gold donated by "Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh" in 1839. Third dome is covered by Gold by Government of Uttarpradesh, India.
On January 28, 1983 the temple was taken over Government of Uttarpradesh. Now the temple is under the administration of Ministry Culture & Religious Affairs of Uttarpradesh.
The temple was visited by many a great saints & Spiritual personalities named as Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati & Gurunanak.
Significance and Importance of Shri Kashi Vishwanatha Temple:
"Kashi" is also called "AVIMUKTHA KSHETRA". every individual wants to live and in this holy land for it is said that "Kashyan Cha Maranath Mukthih". Shiva the Lord of the City and the Universe-Vishwanatha as he is called here will see to it that those who expire here will get Salvation.
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| Shri Kashi Viswanatha Swamy |
The Mahadwara(main gate) of the temple is a small one compared to a big entrance gates of the South India Temples. The Pradakshina Path, the inner court yard of the temple has got many smaller niches housing various Vigrahas. after touching Basava(Nandi- Vahanam of Lord Shiva), one enters the Mukha Mantapa of the temple. There is a small tub like enclosure in which one can see the Shiva Lingam. One can touch the Lord and Worship Him.
PushpaAbhishekam, JalaAbhishekam, KsheeraAbhishekam are common Pooja performed by the Archaka's. Magala Aarti's will be done in the day and night which are Sight to see
Sri Kashi Viswanath Temple Address:
Shri Kashi Vishwanatha Mandir,
Vishwanatha Gali,
Varanasi-221001,
Uttarpradesh, India.
Temple Contact Telephone Number: 0542-2392629.