Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
కాశీ విశ్వనాథ్
Lord Shiva as Vishwanath (lord of the universe) · Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva as a self-manifest pillar of light (jyoti-linga). Located in Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh.
Significance
The holiest of all Hindu pilgrimage cities. Death in Kashi is believed to grant moksha (liberation). Recently expanded with the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (2021).
Mythological Origin
Kashi is said to rest on Shiva's trident, hence not destroyed in cosmic dissolutions. Shiva manifested here as the eternal pillar of light (Jyotirlinga).
About the 12 Jyotirlingas
The 12 Jyotirlingas are the holiest Shiva pilgrimage sites in India. Per the Shiva Mahapurana, when devotees compete to claim Lord Shiva's primacy, he manifested as an infinite pillar of light (jyoti-stambha) at 12 sacred locations. Devotees visiting all 12 in a single lifetime is one of the highest pilgrimages (Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Yatra). Reciting the 12-line Jyotirlinga Stotra ("Saurashtre Somanatham...") daily is said to grant the merit of physical pilgrimage to all 12.
Kashi Vishwanath at a glance
| Form of Shiva worshipped here | Lord Shiva as Vishwanath (lord of the universe) |
|---|---|
| Telugu name of the shrine | కాశీ విశ్వనాథ్ |
| Where | Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Order in the traditional list | 7 of 12 |
Kashi Vishwanath — frequently asked questions
Why is Kashi Vishwanath counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Kashi is said to rest on Shiva's trident, hence not destroyed in cosmic dissolutions. Shiva manifested here as the eternal pillar of light (Jyotirlinga). Kashi Vishwanath stands seventh in the traditional order this site follows, and the form worshipped here is Lord Shiva as Vishwanath (lord of the universe).
Where is Kashi Vishwanath and what should you know before travelling?
Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh. The shrine is written కాశీ విశ్వనాథ్ in Telugu. Darshan timings, the aarti schedule, the queue and road access all change through the year and this site does not publish them — confirm those with the temple itself before you travel.
Which days are kept for Shiva at Kashi Vishwanath?
Monday is Shiva's day of the week, and the pradosha window on the trayodashi tithi of each fortnight, the month of Shravana and Maha Shivaratri are kept at every Jyotirlinga. None of that is particular to Kashi Vishwanath — the days to look for at this shrine are the ones the panchangam already marks for Shiva.
We do not publish darshan timings, ticket prices or queue lengths for Kashi Vishwanath — those change week to week and we have no way to verify them from here. What this site can settle is when: see the 12 Jyotirlinga circuit for the auspicious days ahead, Maha Shivaratri for the principal Shiva night of the year, or the daily panchangam for the tithi and Rahu Kalam on the date you are travelling.