One of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is. It is located in Varanasi, India, at Uttar Pradesh. The Temple stands on the holy river Ganga ‘s west bank and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva Temples. The main deity is known by the literally meaning Lord of the Universe names Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (IAST: Vishveshvara). Even in ancient times Varanasi city is called Kashi, and hence the Temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The name Vishveshvara’s etymology is Vishva: Universe, Ishvara: Lord, one who has dominion.
History
In the Puranas the temple is listed including the Skanda Purana Kashi Khanda (section). In 1194 CE, when he defeated the Kannauj Raja as commander of Mohammad Ghori, the original Vishwanath temple was destroyed by the army of Qutb-al-din Aibak. During the reign of Sultan Iltutmish of Delhi, the temple was restored by a Gujarati merchant. Throughout the rule of either Hussain Shah Sharqi (1447–1458), or Sikandar Lodhi (1489–1517), it was destroyed again. During the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Raja Man Singh built the temple, but some Hindus boycotted it, as he had let the Mughals marry within his family. Raja Todar Mal further reconstructed the temple at its original site in 1585 with the help of Akbar
Pooja Details and Timings
| Pooja Name | Timings |
|---|---|
| Temple opening hours | 2:30am |
| Mangala Aarti | 3:00am – 4:00am |
| Sarva Darshan | 4:00am – 11:00am |
| Bhog Aarti | 11:15am – 12:20pm |
| Sarva Darshan | 12:20pm – 7:00pm |
| Sapta Rishi Aarti | 7:00pm – 8.15pm |
| Sarva Darshan | 8:30pm – 9:00pm |
| Shrinagar / Bhog Aarti | 9:00pm – 10:15pm |
| Darshan | 10:15pm – 10.30pm |
| Sayana Aarti | 10:30pm – 11:00pm |
| Temple Closing hours | 11:00pm |