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| Kashi Vishwanath Temple, UP |
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 The
Kashi Vishwanath temple is located in the heart
of the cultural capital of India, Varanasi. It stands
on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges.
Varanasi, or Banaras, situated amidst the crowded
lanes of Varanasi, the temple of Vishwanatha can
be approached from a lane called Vishwanatha lane.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as Golden
Temple is the most sacred and main temple of Varanasi
and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Vishveswara
(Vishwanath), the presiding deity of the city. It
is more popular due to the Gold plating done on
its 15.5 meter high spire. One ton of gold donated
by Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been used in the gold
plating of the spire. The Temple (also known as
Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the
world. Varanasi is so old that it is a part of Indian
mythology and finds mention in the epics Ramayana
and Mahabharata. Through the ages Varanasi was also
known variously as "Avimuktaka", "Anandakanana",
"Mahasmasana", "Surandhana",
"Brahma Vardha", "Sudarsana",
"Ramya" and "Kasi" or Kashi
- 'the City of Light". The oldest living city
in the world, Varanasi is the ultimate destination
of all Hindu pilgrims searching for moksha from
the cycle of birth and re-birth. The Kashi Vishwanath
temple is the center of faith for millions of Hindus.
The Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha,
is enshrined in the Kashi Vishwanath temple, considered
as one of the holiest temples of India.
In Hindu religion it is believed that a simple glimpse
of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience
that transforms life and puts it on the path of
knowledge and Bhakti (devotion). A single darshan
of Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga is considered to merit
more than the darshan of other jyotirlingas, scattered
in various parts of India. The word ‘Kashi’
originated from the word ‘Kas’ which
means to shine. Stepped in tradition and mythological
legacy, Kashi is the ‘original ground’
created by Lord Shiva and Parvati, upon which they
stood at the beginning of time.Varanasi is said
to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga,
the fiery pillar of light by which Shiva manifested
his supremacy over other Gods, broke through the
earth's crust and flared towards the heavens. More
than the Ghats and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga
installed in the temple remains the devotional focus
of Varansi. It is open only to Hindus. Inside the
courtyard is the temple of Vishwanatha surrounded
by many subsidiary shrines. 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.
The original temple was located across the road,
but it was destroyed by Aurangzeb who built a mosque
in its place, but the traces of the old temple can
be seen behind the mosque.. The present temple was
built by Ahalya Bai of Indore in 1776.This mosque
has minarets towering 71 metres above the Ganges.
Now the new Vishwanath Temple situated in the premises
of Banaras Hindu University, it is managed by the
reputed industrialists - the Birla family.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living picture
of the timeless cultural traditions and highest
spiritual values. A cluster of five lingas enclosed
in a temple is called Nilakantheshvar temple. Just
above the Avimukteshvara Vinayaka are temples of
Shanishchara and Virupaksha. To the right just near
the entrance is the temple enshrining a linga called
Avimukteshvara. There is a controversy regarding
the original Jyotirlinga at the place, which suggests
that not the Vishwanatha but the Avimukteshvara
is the original Jyotirlinga. Situated amidst the
crowded lanes of Varanasi, the temple of Vishwanatha
can be approached from a lane called Vishwanatha
lane. Inside the courtyard is the temple of Vishwanatha
surrounded by many subsidiary shrines. There is
a well, called Jnana Vapi i.e. wisdom well located
to the north of the main temple. As one enters the
temple from the southern side the first temple to
the left of the pilgrim are three temples in a row
one behind the other, Vishnu, Virupakshi Gauri and
Avimukta Vinayaka.
The Vishwanath temple opens daily at 2.30 A.M. for
Mangala Aarti and between 3 to 4 A.M. ticket holders
are permitted to join. The timing of general Darshan
is from 4 to 11 A.M. The timing for midday Bhog
Aarti is from11.30 to 12 A.M. Between 12 noon to
7 P.M., general devotees are free to have Darshan.
From 7 to 8.30 P.M. the Sapta Rishi Aarati is held
after which Darshan is possible again till 9 P.M.
At 9 P.M. the Shringar/Bhog Aarati starts and after
that Darshan is possible only from outside. Shayana
Aarti starts at 10.30 P.M. and the temple closes
at 11 P.M. Most of the offerings at the Kashi Vishwanath
temple are given to poor. The Golden Temple or Kashi
Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built
by Ahalya Bai of Indore in 1776 and 800 kg of gold
plating on the towers were provided by Maharaja
Ranjit Singh of Lahore. The Shivlinga in the temple
is the main devotional focus of the city. Next to
the Temple is a Well known as the Gyan Kapur Kuan
(well of knowledge). This temple was renovated by
Maharani Khaneti ,wife of Sudarshan Shah in 1857.The
temple has a Shivling (60 cm. high and 90 Cm. Circumference).People
from all over India do also visit the Vishvanath
temple during their visits to Uttarkashi, Gangotri
and Yamunotri. The Vishwanatha temple consists of
a mandapa and a sanctum. Inside the sanctum a linga
is set into the center of the floor in a square
silver altar. The Linga is of black stone. Though
the interior of the temple is not large and elaborate
it presents the peaceful atmosphere ideal for worship.
The five Aaratis of Mahadev is very famous. At this
time Shiva is decorated with leaves shaded under
huge cobra. Thousands of people come in this time
to visit the decorated Vishwanath.Kashi Vishwanath
Shiva Lingam in Golden Temple, which has seen many
of its destructions is the symbol of mysterious
cosmos, which attracts many thousands hindus to
offer Ganges-water daily. It is the belief of the
people of Banaras is that Baba Vishwanath is responsible
for the happiness and sadness of the lives of the
people of Banaras. Legend maintains that Lord Shiva
manifested himself in the from of a lingam at 12
holy cities in India, Varanasi being one of them.These
lingams we known as JYOTIRLINGAMS. To the side of
the temple is Gyan-Kupor('The well of Knowledge').
The Jyotirlingam of the original Vishwanath Temple,
is believed to be hidden in the well by his devotees
to protect it from the early Muslim invaders. |
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