One of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is holiest place holding some of the most interesting facts. Standing on the Western bank of the holy river Ganga, it is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Take a look at some facts that are not known by many.
Tumultuous History of Kashi
According to records the temple was found in 1490. Kashi has seen the rule of many kings both famous and not so famous. Few of us know that it was also ruled by Buddhists for some time. The city on the banks of Ganges has seen its share of slaughter and destruction. The temples were plundered time and again by the Mughals. The original temples were re-built, then destroyed and re-built.
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The Construction of the temple
Mughal Emperor Akbar gave permission to build the original temple, which was later destroyed by Aurangazeb.
The Great Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar Built the Present temple
The Kashi Vishwanath temple was last rebuilt and restored to its glory by the Queen of Indore, Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar. She took the initiative to restore the temple and also provided the funds for it. Aurangzeb had destroyed the temple and built a mosque in its place.
Jyotirlingas
Kashi Vishwanath is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. It is also said that Lord Shiva actually stayed here for some time. Kashi has been derived from the word KAS, which literally means to shine.
The Golden Chatra
The temple has a golden chatra on top. It is believed that any wish is fulfilled if it is made after seeing the chatra.
First Ray of Light
It is believed that when the earth was created the first ray of light fell on Kashi. There are legends that believe that Shiva had actually stayed here for some time. Shiva is supposed to the guardian of the city and its people.]
Legend of the GyaanaVapi or Well of Wisdom
It is said the when news reached of Aurangzebs plans to destroy the temple, the idol of Shiva was hidden in a well to protect it from the destruction. The well still stands there between the mosque and the temple. Be sure to see it next time you go to pray at this majestic site.
Source: www.speakingtree.com
Nice information
God bless those devotiees who build and re build those TEMPLES. AND THE DESTROYERS WE ALL KNOW FROM SHRIMAT BHAGWATAM WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR THEIR CRUEL ACTIONS.
WE SHOULD NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GOD. WE SHOULD ALWAYS DO GOOD KARMA.
OM NAMAS SHIVAYA.
It is a feast to the eyes to see these wonderful pictures of the temples.It is unfortunate that we are not very aware of our own heritage.India Divine is doing a praiseworthy service to us indians
The temple shown is not of Kashi Vishwanth but Bruhadeeshwara temple at tanjavur a giant shiva temple built by raja raja chola of chola dynasty ?andwhat is 1459 mentioned mean Kashi temple is known to be oldest as is also known through out the world as Varanasi ! Oldest city known for Hindu culture and Vedas .
Incredible
You are rendering great service to Hindu community as such. Thank you.
I will visit the Holy Well next time visit to Kaasi.
Thanks for the information.
VERY INFORMATIVE.THANKS FOR THE LIGHTS.
Excellent Information need to study these things and brings its revalence to the present times.
Thank you very much to enlighten the people like me to know all such holy facts!
very good information ,every person should know the hidden truth.
Good information. Thanks.
Har Har Mahadev
Useful information.
Very good information sent ever…
Many more people to know this. Hindu culture is the best.
mohan rao
Surprisingly Indian History does not say anything about Kashi temple being destroyed and rebuilt…be mention of Resurrection of temple by Queen of Indore Smt Ahaliya Bai..very Sad state by Indian School of Administration…absolute sham
It
Is an excellent piece of enlightenment. W e are truly delighted.
nothing new its very well known history .very general ino be more descriptive and original
It enlighten the reader and confluence with the Lord for awhile. The information contained in this message remembrance of the Lord Siva’s glory and takes the reader to higher state.
Thanks to the sender
Jaisriram. Hindus lost 33000 temples destroyed by Mogal kings at their time of rule.Now Hindus are claiming three temples 1) Ayodhya Sri Rama Janmabhumi, 2) Varanasi Kasi Viswanadh Temple, 3)Madhra Srikrishna Janmabhumi.At any cost Hindus should get them back.Itvis a long standing demand if 100 crore Hindus.
Unfortunately , today almost 95 % Hindus are not aware about the history of their temples and destruction by Mughals and Brithishers !!!! Our History was written by Communist stooges and they have intensionally kept the true facts at bay and glorified the invaders , looters and rapists of the Hindus !!! Now Hindus are demanding only 3 temples from the clutches of Muslims , out of those 39000 temples destructed and owned by Muslims now !
1) Ayodhya Sri Rama Janmabhumi, 2) Varanasi Kasi Viswanadh Temple, 3)Mathura Srikrishna Janmabhumi.
Hindus were far more progressive in architectural aspects also if we study our ancient temples ! But today , Hindus have lost their rich legacy , wisdom and knowledge by following Convent / English Education system ! Time has come to revive our own ancient Gurukul System of Education now !
In furtherance to Sh. Sandeep Patil time has come to not only revive Gurukula but our way of life and living life. The present glitter of GDP and other standards that the world is going crazy is a mad rat race of West of making machine out of human and robbing all the people of their Sat Chitta Anand only to fuel the myth of well being and lost in a few gadgets. One big difference that we have in life living and enjoying is we do not have rights but we have functional responsibility Dayitva not Adhikar only – a root cause of human suffering all over the globe.
The first pic of the temple is not of KASHI but of Tanja voor south India which happens to be one of the jyotir lingas namely BRUHADEESHWARA one of the tallest temple of lord shiva built by raja raja cholan