Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple once in a lifetime is one of the most important pilgrimages for a Hindu. The Shiva temple was built adjacent to the Gyanvapi mosque that one can still see across the wall. The temple is said to have been destroyed a number of times, but its present avataar was given by Ahilya Bai in 1780. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of India. A narrow lane, packed with pilgrims, leads to the heavily guarded temple. Shops selling thaalis of neelkanth and lotus flowers along with bael leaves and milk as offering line the street leading up to the temple. Join the flow as cops swiftly usher you through the silver doors of the main altar where a small stone lingam is doused in offerings. After blazing past this, one can spend a more relaxed time sitting on the cool floors under the golden spire and dome. Shrines for other gods like Kaalbhairav, Dhandapani, Avimukteshwara, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Sanishwara, Virupaksha and Virupaksh Gauri surround the main temple. The temples for goddess Annapurneshwari and Shani are also important shrines that lie just outside the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Visitors should note that photography is only allowed outside the temple.