Temple History

Kashi Vishwanath Temple  is one of the most famous  Hindu temples  dedicated to  Lord Shiva . It is located in  Varanasi ,  Uttar Pradesh ,  India . The Temple stands on the western bank of the holy river  Ganga , and is one of the twelve  Jyotirlingas , the holiest of  Shiva  Temples. The main deity is known by the name Shri Vishwanath and also by the ancient name of deity Vishweshwara (IAST:  Vishveshvara  literally means  Ruler of the Universe . Varanasi city is also called  Kashi  in ancient time, and hence the Temple is popularly called as Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Etymology of the name Vishveshvara is Vishva: Universe, Isha: Lord; Vara: Excellent means Supreme Lord of the Universe the Parabrahman or Parameshwara as its synonyms. The Temple has been referred to in Hindu scriptures for a very long time as a central part of worship in the  Shaiva  Philosophy. It has been destroyed and...

Varanasi grew as an important industrial centre famous for its  muslin  and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. Buddha is believed to have founded Buddhism here around 528 BCE when he gave his first sermon, " The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma ", at nearby  Sarnath . The city's religious importance continued to grow in the 8th century, when  Adi Shankara  established the  worship of Shiva  as an official sect of Varanasi. During the Muslim rule through the Middle Ages, the city continued as an important centre of Hindu devotion, pilgrimage,  mysticism  and poetry which further contributed to its reputation as a centre of cultural importance and religious education.  Tulsidas  wrote his epic poem on  Rama's  life called  Ram Charit Manas  in Varanasi. Several other major figures of the  Bhakti movement  were born in Varanasi, including  Kabir  and  Rav...