If you are a devotee of Shiva, you must be aware of the Kashi Vishwanath temple story. Who built the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the history of its construction is marked by various phases of destruction and reconstruction.
Let’s deep dive into the history of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple so that the right details can be shared. All the details and facts shared in this article are based on online/offline research.
Unraveling the Untold Kashi Vishwanath Temple Story
Located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, along the western bank of the sacred Ganges River, the Kashi Vishwanath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here in the form of Vishwanath, meaning “Lord of the Universe.
The history of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple dates back to ancient times, and the current structure is not the original one due to several invasions and destructions.
Who is the founder of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
According to the Purans, the founder of Kashi Vishwanath temple is God Shiva. The original temple is believed to have been built by Lord Shiva himself, according to Hindu mythology.
However, historical records indicate that the temple was reconstructed several times.
The Demolition of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Unraveling the Culprit
To know who destroyed kashi vishwanath temple, we must go back in the 12th Century. In 1194, the original Vishwanath temple was destroyed by the Ghurids when Muizzuddin defeated Jaichandra.
After destruction of the Temple, the Razia Mosque was construction in place of it. Nevertheless, in 1230, the temple was reconstructed away from its original location only to face another round of demolition in the 15th century.
Who Rebuilt Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 16th Century?
In the history of Kashi temple, it is rebuilt again in 16th century by Raja Todar Mal. The process of rebuilding and demolishing the temple was still in progress.
During the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century, the temple was destroyed again, and a mosque named Gyanvapi was constructed at the same site.
The intense hate towards Hinduism was the main reason why did Aurangzeb destroyed Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Who Built The Kashi Vishwanath Temple after Aurangzeb destroyed it?
In the 18th Century after enduring the demolition by Aurangzeb, the Vishwanath temple was built again by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.
The 1st Jyotirlinga out of twelve, Kashi Vishwanath has a significance effect on every individual who love and worship lord shiva. The temple is renowned not only for its religious significance but also for its architectural beauty.
The main deity, Lord Shiva, is enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum, and the temple attracts millions of devotees and tourists from all over the world each year.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is an integral part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of India. It is believed that a visit to this temple and a dip in the holy Ganges River in Varanasi can cleanse one’s soul and lead to salvation, according to Hindu beliefs. The temple remains a symbol of faith and devotion, drawing pilgrims and seekers of spiritual solace for centuries.
So, it was the story behind Kashi Vishwanath temple. The temple endured many phases of destructions and re-constructions in history.
However there are many different mythological stories behind the establishment of Kashi Vishwanath temple, let’s know the story of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga mentioned in the Purans.
The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Story As Per Mythology
The story of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology.
According to the legend, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu once had a disagreement over their supremacy. To settle the dispute, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of an infinite pillar of light, known as the Jyotirlinga. Both Brahma and Vishnu were challenged to find the end of the pillar, and whoever succeeded would be declared the superior deity.
Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and flew upwards to find the top of the pillar, while Lord Vishnu transformed into a boar and burrowed into the earth to discover its base. However, after extensive searches, neither could find the limits of the radiant pillar.
Why Devotees Cannot Offer Ketaki Flowers To Lord Shiva?
During Brahma’s ascent, he came across a Ketaki flower floating down from above. When he asked the flower where it came from, it claimed to have been atop the Jyotirlinga. Brahma, seeing an opportunity to win the challenge, convinced the flower to lie and testify that it had witnessed him reach the pinnacle.
Upon returning to Shiva, Brahma claimed to have seen the top and presented the Ketaki flower as a witness. However, Lord Shiva, aware of the deceit, became furious. In his wrath, Shiva cursed Brahma that he would not be worshipped in temples, as opposed to the widespread reverence for Vishnu and Shiva. And that is the reason Lord Shiva does not accept Ketaki Flowers as worship.
Devotees believe that a pilgrimage to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi brings spiritual liberation and freedom from the cycle of birth and death. The temple, visited by millions of devotees annually, stands as a symbol of devotion and the timeless presence of Lord Shiva.
The Jyotirlinga, however, remained a symbol of Shiva’s infinite nature. The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is believed to be the embodiment of this eternal pillar of light, representing the formless and boundless nature of Lord Shiva.
Through this article we tried to share the accurate and correct details about the history of Kashi Vishwanath temple. If you feel we forget to mention anything, please let us know by dropping a comment in the box below.
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