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SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH MANDIR VARANASI

A Brief History

Visit Website: www.shrikashivishwanath.org

Standing on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving

city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there standsin its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of

Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek

benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from

the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world. A simple glimpse of the

Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that

transforms life and puts it on the path of

knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara

Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique

significance in the spiritual history of India.

Tradition has it that the merits earned by the

darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in

various parts of India accrue to devotee by a

single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu

mind, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been

a living embodinent of our timeless cultural

traditions and highest spiritual values. The

Temple has been visited by all great saints-

Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna

Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami

Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati,

Gurunanak and several other spiritual

personalities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple

attracts visitors not only from India but abroad

as well and thereby symbolises man's desire

to live in peace snd harmony with one another. Vishwanath being a supreme repository of this

spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling at the

national as well as global levels. On January 28, 1983 the Temple was taken over by the Govt.of Uttar Pradesh and it's management ever since stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti

Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with

Divisional Commissioner as Chairman. The Temple in the present shape was built way back in

1780 by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In the year 1785 a Naubatkhana was built

up in front of the Temple by the then Collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor

General Warren Hastings. In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by

Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Third dome but was remained uncovered, Ministry of

cultures & Religious affairs of U.P. Govt. took keen interest for gold plating of third dome of

Temple.

RITUALS

The Temple opens daily at 2.30a.m. in Mangala Aarati 3 to 4 a.m. ticket holders are permitted

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to join. From 4 to 11 a.m. general Darshan is allowed. 11.30 to 12 a.m. mid day Bhog Aarati is

done. Again 12 noon to 7 p.m. devotees are free to have darshan. From 7 to 8.30 p.m. evening

Sapta Rishi Aarati is done after which darshan is again possible uptill 9 p.m. when

Shringar/Bhog Aarati starts. After 9 p.m. Darshan from out side only is possible. Shayana Aarti

starts at 10.30p.m.The Temple closes at 11p.m.

Most of the Prasad,milk,clothes and other such offerings are given to the poors.

Contribution in cash or kind towards development or specific purposes are accepted giving

due thought and a receipt thereof is issued and the donation is used for the desired seva.

Devotees are requested to record complaint/suggestions,if any,on the complaint/suggestion

book at the counter. Matters requiring quick action can be brought to the notice of the Chief

Executive Officer directly. All donation Cheques/Drafts be drawn in the name "Shri Kashi

Vishwanath Mandir Fund" and sent at the address below-

Chief Executive Officer

SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH MANDIR

Vishwanath Gali,VARANASI-221001

ARTI-DARSHAN

TEMPLE MANGLA BHOG SANDHYA SRINGAR SHAYAN

SRI VISHWANATH JI 3.00A.M. 1.30NOON 7.00P.M. 9.00P.M. 10.30P.M.

SRI ANNAPURNA JI 4.00A.M. 11.30NOON 7.00P.M. 10.00P.M.SRI KALBHAIRO JI 5.00A.M. 01.30NOON 8.00P.M. 12.00P.M.SRI SANKATHA JI 4.30/6.30A.M. 02.30NOON 11.00P.M. 11.00P.M.SRI DURGA JI(DURGA

KUNDA)5.00A.M. 7.00P.M. 11.00P.M.

SRI SANKAT MOCHAN 4.30A.M. 12.00NOON 3.00P.M. 8.00P.M. 10.30P.M.

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