Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple, Varanasi - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple

At a distance of 5 Km from Varanasi Junction, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated on the banks of River Ganga in Varanasi city of Uttar Pradesh. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishwanath, one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva and he is regarded as the patron deity of Varanasi. Popularly known as Golden Temple, it is one of the twelve jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva, and also one of the popular pilgrimage sites in India. The temple was visited by many great saints including Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, Goswami Tulsidas, Adi Shankaracharya and Gurunanak Dev. Lord Vishwanath is considered to the supreme origin of the spiritual truth and strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood. It is believed that a single darshan of Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga is considered to auspicious more than the darshan of other jyotirlingas in India.

History of Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is believed to have been built by King Vikramaditya, possibly as far back as 2500 years ago. The temple is mentioned in ancient texts like the Kasha Kandra, potentially dating back to the 6th century. The original Vishwanath Temple was destroyed by the army of Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1194 CE, when he defeated the Raja of Kannauj. Sri Kashi Vishwanath temple has been rebuilt several times over the past few centuries. The present temple was built in 1780 CE by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the previous temple and built a mosque at the site (now adjacent to it), which is called as Gyanvapi Mosque. A Naubatkhana was built in front of the temple by Collector Mohammad Ibrahim Khan in 1785. The two beautiful domes of the temple were covered with gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in 1839. The management of the temple was taken under UP Government in 1983.

Mythology of Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple

It is widely accepted that Varanasi is the first Jyotirlinga to reveal itself. According to legend, it was here that Lord Shiva appeared as an infinite column of light (Jyotirlinga) before Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu during their dispute regarding their supremacy. To uncover the source of the radiant column, Brahma transformed into a swan and ascended into the sky in an attempt to reach the top of the flame, while Vishnu took the form of a boar and dug deep into the earth. Nevertheless, both were unsuccessful in locating the origin of the luminous column. Despite this, Brahma falsely claimed that he had found the peak of the column, while Vishnu modestly acknowledged his failure to discover the source of the shining column. As a consequence of Brahma's dishonesty regarding the origin of the luminous column, Shiva punished him by severing his fifth head and placing a curse upon him. This curse stipulated that Brahma would no longer be worshipped, while Vishnu, who remained truthful, would be equally honored alongside Shiva and would have temples dedicated to him for all time. Hindu texts depict Vishweshwara as the revered deity of Varanasi, reigning as the king over all other deities and all the residents of the city.

Architecture of Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi exhibits a Nagara style of architecture, noted for its spires and detailed carvings, which are common in Northern Indian temples. The temple complex comprises a primary shrine designed in a quadrangular shape, encircled by smaller shrines dedicated to various deities. A golden spire (shikhara) stands out prominently, while the inner sanctum contains a Shiva lingam. The temple's main Shiva lingam measures 60 cm in height and 90 cm in circumference, and it is enshrined within a silver altar.

Additionally, the temple complex features shrines for several deities, including Kaalbhairav, Vishnu, and Sanishwara. Within the temple grounds, there is a small well known as Jnana Vapi or Gyan Vapi, situated to the north of the main temple. During the Mughal invasion, the jyotirlinga was concealed in this well for its protection.

Festivals of Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi hosts several vibrant festivals throughout the year, with Mahashivaratri being a major highlight. This is a significant festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated with great fervor in Varanasi. It is a 3-4 day cultural event with classical and folk dance and music performances. Other important festivals celebrated at the temple include Dev Deepawali, Rangbhari Ekadashi (Holi), Month of Savan, Annakoot, etc.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Dress Code & Other Restrictions

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple located in Varanasi enforces a dress code for devotees intending to engage in 'sparsh darshan' (touching the deity). Male devotees are required to don a dhoti-kurta, while female devotees must wear a saree to gain access to the sanctum sanctorum. Individuals dressed in pants, shirts, jeans, or other non-traditional clothing may worship from a distance but will not be permitted to enter the inner sanctum. It is recommended to avoid wearing modern attire such as mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while on the temple grounds.

Generally, non-Hindus are prohibited from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. Nevertheless, they are allowed to visit the temple grounds and explore the surrounding area.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple Timings

Monday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 7 PM & 8:30 PM - 9 PM
Tuesday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 7 PM & 8:30 PM - 9 PM
Wednesday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 7 PM & 8:30 PM - 9 PM
Thursday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 7 PM & 8:30 PM - 9 PM
Friday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 7 PM & 8:30 PM - 9 PM
Saturday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 7 PM & 8:30 PM - 9 PM
Sunday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 7 PM & 8:30 PM - 9 PM

Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free
Special Darshan available for Rs. 250
Midday Bhog Aarti(11:30 AM - 12 PM), Saptrishi Aarti (7 PM - 8:30 PM) & Night Bhog Aarti (9 PM - 10:30 PM) available for Rs. 300

Best Time to Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple

The optimal period to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is between October and March, with the peak season occurring from November to February. The Maha Shivaratri festival, which takes place in February or March, along with Dev Deepawali, provides an exceptional chance to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the temple, attracting thousands of devotees. It is recommended to refrain from visiting the temple during the peak summer months of April to June, as temperatures can soar, making outdoor activities more challenging. If you do not intend to participate in one of the aartis, the ideal time to visit the temple is after 7 AM, in order to avoid lengthy queues.

How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Golden Temple

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Babatpur is the nearest airport which is about 23 Km from Varanasi Junction. Also known as Varanasi Airport, it is well connected with flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Gaya. Varanasi Junction railway station is well connected by trains with Chhapra, Kanpur, Amritsar, Muzzafarpur, Jammu, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Indore, Tatanagar, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Patna, Kochi, Jaisalmer, Mumbai, Bangalore, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pune and Chennai. Varanasi is well connected with buses from Agra, Delhi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Lucknow. One can reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple by hiring a cab, or an auto-rickshaw from all parts of the city.