exploring kashi vishwanath dham: a visual journey

13 DEC, 2023

Sweta Gupta

Kashi Vishwanath Dham has welcomed over 13 crore devotees, including 16,000 international visitors, in the past two years, marking a remarkable increase in visitors.

over 13 crore visitors in two years

Photo: Getty Images

Kashi was the former name for the city now known as Varanasi. It sits along the sacred Ganges River. Found in Vishwanath Gali, the temple attracts millions of devotees annually.

most famous in varanasi

Photo: Getty Images

significance

The temple is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are sacred representations of Lord Shiva. 

Photo: Twitter/@ShriVishwanath

lord shiva as the deity

The main deity at Kashi Vishwanath Temple is Lord Shiva - known as Shri Vishwanath and symbolizing the Lord of the Universe. The temple serves as a center of Shaiva philosophy.

Photo: Twitter/@ShriVishwanath

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple opens daily at 2.30 AM and is renowned for five types of Aartis: Mangala Aarti, Bhoga Aarti, Sandhya Aarti, Shringara Aarti, and Shayana Aarti.

aartis and timings

Video: Twitter/@Shivprasad_N023

The temple hosts various pujas, each with unique significance. Rudrabhishek is a special worship dedicated to Lord Shiva, aiming to purify the atmosphere, absolve sins, and mitigate planetary influences.

holy rituals performed

Photo: Getty Images

Devotees can join yatras like Panchatheertha Yatra, bathing in five main Ghats and visiting Kashi's shrines in a specific order. Another option is the Mauni Yatra, starting with a bath at Manikarnika ghat. 

yatras

Photo: Getty Images

While the  temple observes various festivals like Ramnavami, Hanuman Jayanti, Dussehra, Holi, and Janmashtami, certain celebrations hold exceptional significance at this sacred site.

festivals celebrATED

Photo: Getty Images