Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir- A Historical Entity

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Vishwanath Gali of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in India. The Temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, or Jyotirlingams, the holiest of Shiva Temples. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous temple in Varanasi, also known as the Golden temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Indore. The Kashi Vishwanath temple lacked direct access to the Ganga, and a 20-foot-wide corridor was envisaged to connect Lalita Ghat on the holy river to Mandir Chowk on the temple premises. The city is host to numerous religious festivals. Mahashivaratri, the great night of the god Shiva, is celebrated by a procession from the Mahamrityunjaya Temple to the Kashi Vishvanath Temple. The Ganga festival in November or December is dedicated to the goddess of the Ganges River, considered sacred by all Hindus. Thousands of lamps are placed on the ghats and set afloat on the river. The festival of Bharat Milap in October or November commemorates the reunion of Lord Rama with his younger brother Bharat after 14 years of exile. A five-day festival of dhrupad (classical Indian vocal style) in March attracts renowned artists from all over India to the city's Tulsi Ghat along the river. The temple town that claims to be the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history is also called Kashi and hence the temple is popularly called as Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Dr. Pravish Prakash presently working as Deputy Librarian in University of Lucknow, Lucknow. Dr. Prakash accomplished Ph.D (Library and Information Science), UGC- National Eligibility Test (Library and information Science) B.L.I.Sc, M.L.L.Sc, M.A. (Sociology), L.L.B, Advance Diploma in Computer Application. He has more than 20 years' academic and administrative experience in Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya Avadh University Faizabad, Government Degree College Faizabad (Selected through Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission) and Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi as Teacher of Library and Information Science and working Librarian.

He has published more than 24 articles in National and International Journals. Dr. Prakash delivered more than 100 Invited lectures and talks across the country .He has also participated in more than 70 conferences and seminars as resource person and subject expert.

Kashi Vishvanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shivatemples. The main deity is known by the name Vishvanatha or Vishveshvara meaning Ruler of The Universe. Varanasi city is also called Kashi, and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishvanath Temple.

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