Kashi Vishwanath Temple () is one of the most famous
Hindu temples dedicated to
Lord Shiva and is located in
Benaras, the Holiest existing Place of
Hindus, where at least once in life a Hindu is expected to do pilgrimage, and if possible, also pour the remains (ashes) of cremated ancestors here on the
River Ganges. It is in the state of
Uttar Pradesh,
India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river
Ganges, and is one of the twelve
Jyotirlingas, the holiest of
Shiva temples. The main deity is known by the name
Vishwanatha or
Vishweshwara meaning the
Ruler of the universe. The temple town that claims to be the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented historyis also called
Kashi and hence the temple is popularly called as
Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Due to this 15.5m high golden spire, the temple is sometimes called as the
Golden Temple, similar to the
Golden temple, a
Sikh Gurudwara at
Amritsar.
The temple has been referred in
Hindu theology since a very long time and as a central part of worship in the
Shaiva philosophy. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. The
Gyanvapi Mosque, which is adjacent to the temple, is the original site of the temple. The current structure is believed to have been built by Maharani
Ahilya Bai Holkar of
Indore in 1780. ...
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