Kāśī Viśvanāth

Śiva as Lord of the Universe · Vārāṇasī, Uttar Pradesh

Viśvanāth, “Lord of the Universe”, is the presiding deity of Kāśī, one of the oldest living cities in the world. The present temple was built in the late 18th century by Queen Ahilyābāī Holkar, and its spire was later covered in gold given by Mahārājā Ranjit Singh. A broad corridor now links the temple to the Gaṅgā ghats.

Pilgrims usually bathe in the Gaṅgā, have darśana of Viśvanāth, and visit Annapūrṇā, Kāla Bhairava and Viśālākṣī nearby. Mahāśivarātri and the Mondays of Śrāvaṇa are the busiest days. October to March is the best season.

The Kāśī Khaṇḍa of the Skanda Purāṇa calls Kāśī “Avimukta”, the place Śiva never leaves. Tradition says the city rests on the tip of Śiva’s trident and is not destroyed even at the dissolution of the world. It is also said that Śiva whispers the tāraka mantra, the “mantra that carries across”, into the ear of those who die here.

Uttar Pradesh · Gaṅgā ghats · Mahāśivarātri · Śrāvaṇa Mondays

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