India's 12 famous Jyotirlingas : Kashi Vishwanath Temple

New Delhi: The oldest living city of the world and the cultural capital of India Varanasi stands on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganga.The temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. This Temple (one of the twelve Jyotirlingas) is the most famous and most sacred of all Hindu temples. It is believed that once in a life a Hindu (devotee) is expected to do pilgrimage as it is the holiest existing place of Hinduism. The main deity is known by the name Vishwanath or Vishweshwara meaning Ruler of the universe.By the darshan of the Jyotirlinga, one can seek seek benediction and can attain spiritual peace. A simple glimpse of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a soul-cleansing experience and transforms life o on the path of Bhakti (devotion), aradhana(prayer) and knowledge.Many great saints such as Guru Nanak, Adi Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Goswami Tulsidas and several other spiritual personalities have visited this temple This temple attracts visitors not only from India but from abroad as well. It symbolises man's desire to live in peace and harmony with one another. From a very long time, the temple has been referred to in Hindu theology as a central part of worship in the Shaiva philosophy. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. Adjacent to the temple, there is the Gyan Vapi Mosque, said to be the original site of the temple. The present structure was built by the Maratha monarch, Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore way back in 1780. The temple has been managed by the government of Uttar Pradesh since 1983.Kashi Naresh is the chief officiating priest and no other person or priest is allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum, during the religious occasion of Shivratri. The devotees are allowed to enter only after he performs his religious functions.Everyday the temple opens daily at 2.30 am. The Mangala Aarati is between 3 to 4 am. General Darshan is allowed from 4 am to 11 am. Mid-day Bhog Aarati takes place between 11.30 am to 12 noon.From12 noon to 7 p.m. devotees are free to have darshan.In the evening, Sapta Rishi Aarati begins from 7pm to 8.30 pm, after which pilgrims can only visit the temple till 9 pm. After 9 p.m. darshan from outside only is possible. Shayana Aarti starts at 10.30 pm. The temple closes at 11pm. Most of the prasad, milk,clothes and other such offerings are given to the poor peopleIt is believed that Kashi is the place for Moksha(salvation), and those who live here attain Mukti (salvation) even if they do not travel toany place of pilgrimage. As we know good as well as bad people are born on this earth, but it is considered that by living in Kashi, both attain Moksha. Any small act of goodness performed here, washes away all the sins. Kashi is known for its ghats. On the Ganga banks eighty four bathing ghats are located. Several teerthkundas are also located here.