Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Significance
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the holiest Shiva temple in India. Located on the banks of the sacred Ganga river in Varanasi — the oldest living city in the world. A visit here is believed to liberate the soul from the cycle of birth and death (moksha).
Legend & Story
The original temple was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history. The current structure was built by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780. In 2021, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor was inaugurated, connecting the temple directly to the Ganga ghats through a grand pathway.
Architecture
Darshan Timings
3:00 AM to 11:00 PM (multiple aarti timings: Mangala Aarti 3 AM, Bhog Aarti 11:15 AM, Shringar Aarti 7 PM)
How to Reach
Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS), 25 km from temple. Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore.
Rail: Varanasi Junction (BSB) — 2 km from temple. Major trains from all cities.
Road: Well connected via NH-2 (Grand Trunk Road). 800 km from Delhi, 680 km from Kolkata.