NEWS

The 400-metre-long Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi connecting the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva to the banks of the Ganges was inaugurated by Prime Minister

ABOUT THE PROJECT

• Ahalya Bai Holkar, Holkar queen of Indore, created a series of temples and vistas leading up to the Ganga ghat.
• THE PROJECT
  • Encapsulates vision of Ahalya Bai Holkar
  • Connects the temple with the ghats of the Ganga, with a paved walkway around 320 metres long and 20 metres wide.
  • Facilities for a museum, library, a facilitation centre for pilgrims and a Mumuksha Bhawan (salvation house).
• NEED
  • Ease the congestion
  • Boost Tourism

KASHI VISHWANATHA TEMPLE

• Famous temple in Varanasi
• Known as the Golden temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva.
• Constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Indore.
• On the western bank of the holy river Ganga
• One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, or Jyotirlingams, the holiest of Shiva Temples.
• Main deity is known by the names Shri Vishwanath literally meaning Lord of the Universe.
• Referred to in Hindu scriptures for a very long time as a central part of worship in the Shaiva Philosophy.
• Mentioned in the Puranas including the Kashi Khanda (section) of Skanda Purana.
• Demolished by many Muslim rulers many times, last time It was demolished by Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor who constructed the Gyanvapi Mosque on its site.

Architecture –

• Constructed in the 18th century in the Nagara style of architecture, it has five shikharas (spires), which start from the bottom and converge on the top.
• The main temple is quadrangle and is surrounded by shrines of other gods.
• There is a small well in the temple called the Jnana Vapi also spelt as GyaanVapi (the wisdom well).
• According to the structure of the temple, there is a Sabha Griha or Congregation Hall leading to the inner GarbhaGriha or Sanctum Sanctorum.
• It is locally known as ‘Monkey temple’ because of the large number of monkeys inhabiting the place.