Kashi Vishwanath Temple or Mandir or Dham | Banaras Corridor

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Introduction

In the first place, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is located in Vishwanath Gali of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Further, the temple stands n the western bank of the holy river Ganga and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Also, it is one of the most famous temples in Varanasi and is known as the Golden temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Kashi Vishwanath temple receives around 3,000 visitors each day.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Mandir was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani AhilyabaiHolkar of the Indore. As mentioned temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred of Shiva Temples. Further, the main deity is the names Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara. Meaning stands for Lord of the Universe.

The Varanasi city was called Kashi in ancient times; that is why the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Further, the temple has been referred to in Hindu scriptures, and the temple is mentioned in the Puranas, including the Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana. Later, it was demolished by many Muslim rulers many times.

History

Now, let us get into the history of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Madhuri Desai notes accounts of the history of the temple. Further, the temple is mentioned in the Puranas, including the Kashi Khanda (section) of Skanda Purana. An army of Qutb al-Din Aibak destroyed the original Vishwanath temple in 1194 CE. Then, the temple was rebuilt by a Gujarati merchant during the reign of Delhi’s Sultan Iltutmish (1211–1266 CE). However, it was again demolished during the rule of either Hussain Shah Sharqi (1447–1458) or Sikandar Lodhi (1489–1517).

Further, in the Mughal Period, Raja Man Singh built the temple. Raja Todar Mal further re-built the temple at its original site in 1585. In 1669 CE, Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the temple and its lingam. In the same place, he built the Gyanvapi Mosque. Later, the Maratha ruler Malhar Rao Holkar made a plan to demolish the mosque and reconstruct the Vishweshwar temple. However, that wasn’t successful because of the intervention by the Nawab of Awadh. In 1780, Malhar Rao’s daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the present temple adjacent to the mosque. Later, in 2019, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project was conceived. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The project intended to increase the total area of the temple to around 50,000 square meters.

On 13 December 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the site with a sacred ceremony.

Importance

This temple is located on the banks of the holy Ganges; Varanasi is regarded among the most sacred of the Hindu cities. Further, the Kashi Vishwanath temple is widely identified as one of the most important places of worship in the Hindu religion. In addition, many saints, including Adi Sankaracharya, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Bamakhyapa, Goswami Tulsidas, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Sathya Sai Baba, Yogiji Maharaj, Mahant Swami Maharaj, and Gurunanak have visited the temple. Further, as we all know, a visit to the temple and a bath in the river Ganges is one of many methods to lead one on a path to Moksha, according to the belief of many.

Architecture

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple is complex, and it consists of a series of smaller shrines situated in a small lane known as the Vishwanatha Galli, near the river. It is constructed following the Nagara style of temple architecture.
• Further, the linga of the main deity at the shrine is 60 cm (24 in) tall and 90 cm (35 in) in circumference, housed in a silver altar.
• Then the quadrangle has shrines of other gods. In addition, there are small temples for Kala Bhairava, Kartikeya, Avimukteshwara, Vishnu, Ganesha, Shani, Shiva, and Parvati.
• Further, you will also find a small well in the temple known as Jnana Vapi.
• Lastly, a Sabha Griha leads to the inner Garbha Griha 

Cultural Events

• In the first place, the Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi is celebrated as Rangabhari Ekadashi. 
• Then, on the Basant Panchami Baba’s Tilak is performed, Shivaratri marriage and Rangbhari Ekadashi marks Parvati leaving with shiva.
• Baba’s marriage ceremony is celebrated at the residence of Kulpati Tiwari.
• Baba Vishwanath performed the seven rituals of Saptarishi Aarti
• Further, Mangala Aarti happens at 3:30 am, Bhog Aarti at noon, Saptarishi Aarti at 7:30 pm, and Shringar Aarti at 11:00 pm

Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project

This particular project aims to connect the ancient and sacred Kashi Vishwanath temple to some ghats of Varanasi. Currently, a corridor is being constructed between Kashi Vishwanath temple and ManikarnikaGhat. Further, this project connects the Kashi temple with the ghats of the Ganga. It is about a 400-meter-long corridor that will facilitate the pilgrims and devotees of Baba Vishwanath. The architect of this project is Mr. Bimal Patel, who is the architect for the Central Vista project. Further, the cost of Phase 1 of the project is Rs. 339 crores (approximately) and spread across an area of 5 lakh sq. feet, consisting of 23 buildings.

Further, the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor was by the Prime Minister of India, and he also witnessed a Ganga Aarti on a Ro-Ro vessel at around 6 PM. In addition, there was the presence of the

Chief Ministers of:

• Uttarakhand
• Uttar Pradesh
• Tripura
• Manipur
• Madhya Pradesh
• Karnataka
• Himachal Pradesh
• Haryana
• Gujarat
• Goa
• Deputy CMs from Bihar and Nagaland
• Assam
• Arunachal Pradesh

Significance

This project will help us to boost tourism by providing the pilgrims and travelers with amenities. Further, the Rudraksha Convention Centre is designed like a Shiva lingam and can seat 1200 people. In addition, the Benaras railway station has been revamped with facilities like an air-conditioned waiting lounge, etc.

Conclusion – Banaras Mandir

By reading the complete article, you will understand all the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir or Banaras mandir information. Understand the Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Kashi Vishwanath corridor project information. Further, it is one of the essential topics for the IAS exam, and one cannot miss reading this concept. We all know about the UPSC exam and the exam syllabus. It is essential for the exam point of view, and we have added links that will help you with the UPSC exam preparations. As we always say, one must go through the official site to know everything about the IAS exam.

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FAQs – Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Lastly, go through the below FAQs for more information on the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Dham.