Viśvanātha of Kāśī
Deities

Viśvanātha of Kāśī

9th of the 12 Jyotirlingas

Status · Anusandhāna
Source · Tier 2
Tradition · Hindu
Period · Varies

Viśvanātha of Kāśī

Tradition

Hindu / Shaiva

Location

  • Varanasi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (25.3109°N, 83.0107°E)

Sacred Narrative

Kāśī Viśvanātha — 9th of the 12 Jyotirlingas — is the presiding Shiva of Varanasi. The current temple was built by Ahilyabai Holkar (1780) after destruction by Aurangzeb (1669). The controversial Gyanvapi Mosque stands on part of the original temple grounds. The new Viśvanātha Corridor (2021) has dramatically expanded access. Daily bhasma-ārati at 3 AM. Pilgrims believe dying in Kāśī guarantees mokṣa — Shiva whispers the tāraka-mantra in the ear of the dying.

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✦Wisdom Graph: Divine Associations✦

MantraTradition-specific
Offerings
tradition-specific
Sacred colours
tradition-specific

📖 Stories

  • Narrative of Viśvanātha of Kāśī
    **Kāśī Viśvanātha** — 9th of the 12 Jyotirlingas — is the presiding Shiva of Varanasi. The current temple was built by Ahilyabai Holkar (1780) after destruction by Aurangzeb (1669). The controversial Gyanvapi Mosque stands on part of the original temple grounds. The new **Viśvanātha Corridor** (2021) has dramatically expanded access. Daily bhasma-ārati at 3 AM. Pilgrims believe dying in Kāśī guarantees mokṣa — Shiva whispers the **tāraka-mantra** in the ear of the dying.
    — Tradition

🪔 Worship Procedures

Daily rites
• tradition-specific

🛕 Principal Temples

🎊 Festivals

  • Annual Viśvanātha of Kāśī festival
    Seasonally · 1–10 days

📜 Primary Scriptural Sources

  • Hindu primary textsscriptural/oral