Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath's spiritual history is as old as the universe itself, according to Hindu texts. Mohammed Ghori destroyed the temple in 1194 CE. Aurangzeb demolished it in 1669 and built the Gyanvapi Mosque over it. In 1780, the indomitable Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built the current temple. In 1835, Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated 22 maunds (908 kg) of gold to cover the temple spire. In 2021, PM Modi inaugurated the spectacular Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, transforming the entire pilgrimage experience.

Kashi Vishwanath is considered the foremost of all 12 Jyotirlingas — Shiva himself is said to reside here permanently. The most extraordinary belief: anyone who dies in Kashi (regardless of their deeds) receives Moksha because Shiva personally whispers the Tarak Mantra in their ear at the moment of death. This belief has made Varanasi the city where Hindus aspire to die. A single darshan here is believed to grant the merit of visiting 100 pilgrimage sites. The Mangala Aarti at 3 AM, when the sanctum fills with the fragrance of bhasma and the sounds of bells, is considered the most sacred ritual in all of Hinduism.