Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the twelve traditional Jyotirlinga shrines and among the most important Shiva temples in India.

The complex draws large numbers of pilgrims and tourists for darshan of the Jyotirlinga at the main sanctum and for ritual bathing on the nearby Ganges. The recently completed Kashi Vishwanath Corridor provides a direct pedestrian approach from the river and expands visitor circulation; the inner sanctum and nearby lanes remain narrow and crowded. Many worshippers come during the festival of Shivaratri and for daily rituals at dawn and dusk.

The present temple structure was rebuilt in the late 18th century by the Maratha queen Rani Ahilyabai Holkar; later patronage included a gold-plated dome donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century. The site has a long history of temple reconstructions and adjacent constructions over several centuries.

The temple sits in the heart of Varanasi on the western bank of the Ganges, close to Manikarnika and other sacred ghats. It is accessed through narrow lanes that open onto the temple complex near the riverfront.

• Visiting logistics: Expect tight lanes, security checks and long queues at peak times such as Shivaratri and during the early morning aarti period.
• Religious significance: The temple is one of the twelve traditional Hindu Jyotirlinga shrines, making it a major pilgrimage destination for Shiva devotees.

What to See #

• Main sanctum (Jyotirlinga): The temple complex includes the main sanctum that houses the revered Jyotirlinga, located at the heart of the complex where the primary worship takes place.
• Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: A large redevelopment completed in 2021 created a covered pedestrian link and expanded circulation between the temple and the Ganges, improving access from the river ghats.