Kashi Vishwanath Temple | |
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![]() Entrance to present temple built by Ahilyabai Holkar in the 1780. | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | Varanasi |
Deity | Vishveshwara or Vishwanath (Shiva) |
Festivals | Maha Shivaratri |
Governing body | Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust |
Location | |
Location | Varanasi |
State | Uttar Pradesh |
Country | India |
Geographic coordinates | 25°18′38.79″N 83°0′38.21″E / 25.3107750°N 83.0106139°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Mandir |
Creator |
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Completed | 1780 |
Demolished |
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Website | |
shrikashivishwanath.org |
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Hinduism |
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Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is located in Vishwanath Gali, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The presiding deity is known by the names Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (IAST: Viśvanātha and Viśveśvara), literally meaning Lord of the Universe.
According to several historical accounts, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of the Hindu temple in 1669.[1] Subsequently, in 1678, the Gyanvapi Mosque was built on its site,[2] but Hindu pilgrims continued to visit the remnants of the temple.[1] The current structure was constructed on an adjacent site by the Maratha ruler Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780.[3]
In 2021, a major redevelopment of the temple complex was completed, and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor connecting the Ganga river with the temple was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, leading to a many-fold increase in visitors.[4][5] It has become one of the most visited Hindu temples in India, with an average 45,000 pilgrims per day in 2023.[6] The total assets of the temple, were estimated to be more than ₹6 crores in 2024.[7]