Overview
Kāśī Viśvanātha is one of the twelve Jyotirliṅgas and the heart of Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), one of the seven mokṣa-giving cities. Ahilyābāī Holkar of Indore built the present temple in the late 18th century, and since 1983 the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, constituted by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, has administered it.
4 sources
- Śāstra Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotram (traditionally attributed to Ādi Śaṅkara)
- Purāṇa Garuḍa Purāṇa — Sapta Mokṣapurī śloka
- Modern scholarship Diana L. Eck, 'Banaras: City of Light' (1982)
- Official Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — official website (shrikashivishwanath.org)
Sthala Purāṇa tradition
The Kāśī Khaṇḍa of the Skanda Purāṇa exalts Kāśī as Avimukta, the kṣetra Śiva never abandons, where Viśvanātha, the Lord of All, grants liberation to those who die within its bounds. The city is celebrated as standing on Śiva's triśūla, beyond the reach of cosmic dissolution.
1 source
- Purāṇa Skanda Purāṇa, Kāśī Khaṇḍa
History documented
Medieval to early modern
⚖ Contested Sites Protocol: this entry records documented history only, stated neutrally. Adjoining-site matters presently before Indian courts are not summarised here, and MandirPal adjudicates nothing.
The Viśvanātha temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times in the medieval period; the temple standing in 1669 was demolished under Aurangzeb and the Gyanvapi mosque erected at the site. The present temple adjacent to it was constructed by Ahilyābāī Holkar of Indore in the late 18th century.
1 source
- Modern scholarship Diana L. Eck, 'Banaras: City of Light' (1982)
Modern administration
On 28 January 1983 the temple's management was taken over by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and entrusted to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, constituted by state ordinance with fifteen members including state-nominated and ex-officio government members.
2 sources
- Official Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — official website (shrikashivishwanath.org)
- Official Kashi (Varanasi) government portal — kashi.gov.in
Festivalspending
Festival calendar (Mahā Śivarātri, Śrāvaṇa, Annakūṭa) to be added once verified against the trust's official pages — not shipped unsourced.
Visiting verified
- Darshan Hours
- Temple open approx. 2:30/3:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily (the trust's rituals page states 2:30 AM, its FAQ states 3:00 AM); general darshan windows approx. 4–11 AM, midday–7 PM, and evening up to ~9 PM.✓ verified 2026-08-01 · official source
- Aarti Times
- Five daily aartis: Mangalā ~3:00–4:00 AM (ticketed, online booking, entry 2:30–3:00 AM); Midday Bhog ~11:15 AM–12:20 PM; Saptarṣi ~7:00–8:15 PM; Śṛṅgāra/Bhog ~9:00–10:15 PM; Śayana ~10:30 PM.✓ verified 2026-08-01 · official source
- Entry Rules
- Electronic and non-electronic gadgets: even pens — are not allowed inside; free lockers available at Mandir Chowk and Yatri Suvidha Kendras. Aarti tickets require a printed copy plus photo ID; children under 12 free.✓ verified 2026-08-01 · official source
- Dress Code
- No formal dress code; the trust advises decent clothes.✓ verified 2026-08-01 · official source
- Online Services
- Aarti/pooja booking and donations only via the trust portal shrikashivishwanath.org (official app on Google Play); helpline 7080292930 (9 AM–6 PM).✓ verified 2026-08-01 · official source
Official
- Trust
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust (Government of Uttar Pradesh, est. 28 January 1983)✓ verified 2026-08-01 · official source
- Website
- https://www.shrikashivishwanath.org/✓ verified 2026-08-01 · official source
Book darshan, pooja or donations only through the verified official channel above. MandirPal links to no other channel.
Map
Nearby sacred sites
Ganga ghats of Kashi tirtha
The riverfront ghats of the Gaṅgā at Kāśī, integral to the tīrtha per the Kāśī Khaṇḍa's māhātmya of the city.
1 source
- Purāṇa Skanda Purāṇa, Kāśī Khaṇḍa
Related in the knowledge graph
Part of circuit
- Collection
The Twelve Jyotirlingas
Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga
Enshrines
- Deity
Shiva
Śiva
Located on
- Sacred River
Ganga
Gaṅgā
Where traditions differ, MandirPal shows each view with its sources and declares none of them absolute. Sacred narrative is labelled as tradition, history as documented evidence. Timings and rules change, so confirm with the official temple channel before you travel.