On the western bank of the river Ganga, in the ancient city of Varanasi also known as Kashi, stands the Kashi Vishwanath temple, one of the most sacred of all twelve Jyotirlingas. The name Vishwanath itself means Lord of the entire universe.
FACT: THE CITY SHIVA NEVER LEAVES
According to long-standing Hindu belief, Kashi is Shiva's own city on earth, a place he is said to never leave. It is widely believed that anyone who passes away within the boundaries of Kashi attains moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth, directly through Shiva's own grace. This is why Kashi has, for thousands of years, drawn not only pilgrims seeking blessings, but also the elderly and the ailing who wish to spend their final days in this sacred city.
Adi Shankaracharya Sang of This Shrine
Adi Shankaracharya composed verses before the Kashi Vishwanath temple on the banks of the Ganga.
MYTH: WHY THE NAME MEANS LORD OF THE UNIVERSE
Adi Shankaracharya, the same philosopher who organised the Char Dham and the twelve Jyotirlingas, is remembered to have composed devotional verses in praise of this shrine, calling Shiva here Vishwanath, Lord of the whole universe, and Vishweshwara, ruler over all creation. Tradition also holds that Shiva himself keeps a small shrine to Kaal Bhairav nearby, appointed as the Kotwal, the chief protector, of the entire city, so that no soul in Kashi is left unguarded.
A Corridor Built for the Devotee
For centuries, reaching the temple meant navigating a maze of narrow lanes near the ghats. In recent years, a wide corridor has been constructed connecting the temple directly to the Ganga ghats, allowing a smooth, level walk from the river to the sanctum, making the journey far easier for elderly and differently abled pilgrims.
FACT: THE EVENING GANGA AARTI
A short walk from the temple, at Dashashwamedh Ghat, priests perform a grand evening aarti to the river Ganga every day, with large brass lamps, rhythmic chanting, and conch shells. Many pilgrims combine their temple darshan with watching this aarti from a boat or from the ghat steps.
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Transliteration: Om Namah Shivaya
Meaning: Salutations to Shiva. This is the Panchakshara Mantra, the five-syllabled mantra of Lord Shiva (Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya), chanted by pilgrims at every Jyotirlinga as a simple, complete offering of devotion.
Source: Panchakshara Mantra, found in the Sri Rudram of the Yajurveda and repeated throughout the Shiva Purana
How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath
- Varanasi has its own airport, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, connected to major Indian cities.
- Varanasi Junction is one of India's major railway stations, well connected across the country.
- The temple corridor now allows a direct, level walk from the Ganga ghats to the temple, avoiding narrow older lanes.
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Detail |
Information |
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Location |
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
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Nearest Railway Station |
Varanasi Junction (about 5 km) |
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Nearest Airport |
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (about 25 km) |
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Temple Darshan Hours |
3:00 AM to 11:00 PM (approximate) |
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Ganga Aarti Timing |
Sunset, at Dashashwamedh Ghat |
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Best Time to Visit |
October to March |
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Wheelchair Access |
Available through the new temple corridor |
TIP FOR SENIOR PILGRIMS
Early morning visits, just after the temple opens, tend to have shorter queues. Sugam Darshan, a paid faster-entry option, is available and can be worthwhile for elderly pilgrims who wish to avoid long waiting lines.
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Expense |
Approximate Cost |
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Budget guesthouse near ghats |
Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,200 per night |
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Mid-range hotel in Varanasi |
Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,500 per night |
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Sugam Darshan ticket |
Rs. 300 per person, subject to change |
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Boat ride during Ganga Aarti |
Rs. 100 to Rs. 300 per person |
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Meals |
Rs. 150 to Rs. 350 per day |
What Else Can You See Nearby
- Kaal Bhairav Temple - the guardian deity of Kashi, considered essential to complete the pilgrimage.
- Dashashwamedh Ghat - venue of the famous evening Ganga Aarti.
- Manikarnika Ghat - one of the most sacred cremation ghats in Hinduism.
- Annapurna Temple - dedicated to the goddess of food and nourishment, close to the main temple.
CLOSING MYTH: THE CITY SHIVA NEVER LEAVES
It is said that when the world itself dissolves at the end of a cosmic cycle, every place will perish, but Shiva will lift Kashi upon his trident and keep it safe, only to set it down again when creation begins anew. This is why devotees call it the eternal city, ever under Shiva's own protection.