Vishvanatha Temple

  • This has historically been the central temple of Varanasi and as a result it extends well beyond its present humble incarnation, temples throughout India appropriate its power by calling themselves 'Kashi Vishvanatha.'
  • Pilgrims and residents alike (only Hindu's are permitted enterence) filter into this temple for Darshan of the Linga.
  • Here Shiva is know as Vishveshara (lord: ishvara, of all: Vishva)
  • The Linga worshipped here is the Jyotirlinga. This the linga of light that manifest itself to prove, once and for all, the supremacy of shiva.
  • While this Linga has been worshiped for at least a thousand years, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The present temple was rebuilt in the eighteenth century under the patronage of Queen Ahalyabar Holkar of Indore.
  • In fact, this temple isn't even in the same place as the historical temple. Two mosques (one built in the thirteenth century and one in the seventeenth) currently occupy that position.

 

  • The smooth black stone Linga is set into a silver base on the floor and honored with five daily arati's. Pilgrims make offerings to the Linga, covering it with water, flowers, bilva leaves, and other items which them become prasada.
  • However, it is also powerful because pilgrims have been coming here for so long. "Countless people have come here at Vishvara for hundreds of years. by virtue of of that history, this place is special. there is a saying. 'pilgrims make the tirtha.'" p. 123.
  • Adjacent to the temple is the Jnana Vapi or well of wisdom.
DASHVAMEDHA
 
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