KASI  VISWANATHAR  TEMPLE                                                                                                                                                                  God name – Viswanathar, Goddess name-Annapurani.                                                                                                                 The temple can be approached from a lane called Vishwanatha lane.The temple is surrounded by many subsidiary shrines. A well called Jnana Vapi is also located to the north of the main temple. As one enters the temple from the southern side the first temple to the left of the pilgrim are three temples in a row one behind the other – Vishnu, Virupakshi Gauri and Avimukta Vinayaka. A cluster of five lingas enclosed in a temple is called Nilakantheshvar temple. Just above the Avimukteshvara Vinayaka are temples of Shanishvara and Virupaksha.To the right just near the entrance is the temple enshrining a linga called Avimukteshvara.There is a controversy regarding the original Jyotirlinga at the place, which suggests that not the Vishwanatha but the Avimukteshvara is the original jyotirlinga.                                                                                                            It is also one of the Padal Petra isthalam of Vada naadu mentioned in Thevaaram.The temple is situated in varanashi the holiest existing place of Hindus, It is believed that a visit to Kasi ensures liberation & hence pious Hindus seek a visit during their lifetime.It is customs followed pour the remains of cremated ancestors ash on the River Ganges to liberate the Atma from their wordly bondage. Manikarnica ghat is the place where countless Hindus have been cremated.  The kasi is famous for Devotas worship, Ancistor (Pindadaan) worship and Poodha worship. Varanashi got its name from two rivers, Varana and Asi flow here.                                                                                                              The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is the holiest of all Shiva temples.The main deity is known by the name vishwanath or Vishweshwara meaning Ruler of the universe. The temple town, which 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 Kashi vishwanath temple.                                            
The lingam is placed in a square shaped brass plated pit. Devotees are permitted to offer worship such as abhishekam with holy Ganga water, garlanding the Lord, aarathi, etc. personally to the swaymbhu lingam. Kasi has got 11 nos.  Swambu (naturally formed) lingas, Devotas installed 46 nos. lingas, Rishis installed 47 Nos. lingas, Gragahas installed 7 Nos. lingas, Kanangal worshiped 40 Nos. lingas, others devotees installed 295 lingas, the replica of other famous temple lingas 65 Nos. there fore all together 511 Nos. lingas you can see now also.                                                                                                                  
       The kasi is famous for Devotas worship, Ancistor worship and Poodha worship. Kasi is amongst the holy spots for visit by the Hindus. It is believed that a visit to Kasi ensures liberation & hence pious Hindus seek a visit during their lifetime. This is the location of the Benares Hindu University, the place of learning of several aspects of Hindu culture. Here Parvathi Devi was so pleased that she offered food (Annam) to one and all and hence is worshipped as Annapoorani. The Lord himself is seen with a bowl in his hands asking for Annam from the seated Devi at the Devi's shrine adajacent to Viswanathar's shrine. This is considered to be one of the 52 Sakthipeedams (the place where Parvathi's left hand fell, when her corpse was cut by Mahavishnu's sudarsana chakram).                                                                               After taking holy dip in Ganga the devotees take Ganga water and make Abishekam to lingam.By doing so it is believed the seven birth sins were purified. TEMPLE BUILT                                                                                                                                   Kasi means light emission place.It has got 1800 temples comprises different discipline followed in Hindu. Kasi had very old historical things in it as per evidence the ARIYA’S who lived in this place 1400 BC.From Mahabharat also lot of references  reveals about Kasi  rulers.The ancient temple existance had been revealed in Mahabharat , The old temple had been detroyed several times by invaders, the recents temple was built in 1785 CE by Agalyabai queen.                                                                                            First attack: In 1193 the Afganisthan leader Gori Mohamed defeated the King Jayachandira and captured Kasi town.He destroyed many temple over here and built mosque on top of that, in 1194 he destroyed entire viswanathar temple Latter on the destroyed temples were built up whenever possible by Hindus.                                                Second attack: In 13^th century the Allaudin kilji attacked this town and destroyed many temple here.                                                                                                                             Third attacK: In 1447 due to other foreign people attack it was destroyed, again the temple was built ip.                                                                                                                       Fourth attack: In 1494 due to other foreign people attack it was destroyed, again the temple was builtup.Latter on confidentially this temple has been kept and poojas were carried out regularly for 300 years.During king Akbar period, the pandit RAJA PATAR got permission from akbar and built the new temple with the help of RAJA THODARMAL and completed this temple in 1585 CE.                                                                                                                                                                                 FIFTH ATTACK: In 1669 April month the mogal king Aurangasip destroyed this temple roofs, by utilizing the old temple pillars on top that the mosques has been built, this you can witness during your visit near to the present temple.
SACRED LINGA IN SECRET PLACE FOR 116 YEARS:                                                                                                                               From 1669 CE to 1785 CE the linga had been kept in Nanavabi well, when Ahgalyabai built new temple in 1785 the lingam has been taken out from here and installed in present temple by great her effort  handsoff to her.. She also made arrangement for Lord Ramnathar to get Ganga water and Lord Viswanath to get Rameshwarm kodi thirtham water for Abishegam purpose. Here the Garpagirh kept in one corner, due to special instruction received by people by ASRI voice during  temple construction time.As per sastra (astrology ) norms  we should not make  NAMSKAR  to God here in Garbagirah, instead of that you have to make namaskar in Kukada mandapam.                                                                                       In 1839 the king of Punjab ranjit singh offerd 30 Kg gold for Gopuram roof to cover with gold sheet.In 1842 in the temple entrance, the NAUPATH KANA was built by NAVAB ALI ALMULK the ruler of kasi as per the instruction from British East Indian company first president WARAN HASTINGS.                                                                           TEMPLE HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                                   In kasi the vishnu had created one holy well and continued his tabus there towards lord siva.Lord siva carry the Parvathi on HIS shoulder and made Kora thandavam, during this course the parvathi’s ear ring fallen on earth.The Lord siva coveyed this message to the Lord Vishnu and asked him where about her ear ring.The Vishnu shows this holy well may be in this available.While Lord siva bowed and look at the well his ear ring (kundalam) also fallen into that.Upon lord siva departure from there with powerful illumination lingam has came out from the well. It is believed that both of them ear ring would have converted as lingam. Hence this lingam has been considered as Arthanarishwarar (Combination shape of parvathi and ishwar).                                                                    The Lord vishnu took this illuminating lingam from there and installed in sacred place and made regular pooja to this and continued his Tabus there.Lord Siva inspired by Lord Vishnu’s tabus towrds HIM.HE shown his VISWARUPAM to HIM(vishnu)  and ask HIS desire.The Lord  vishnu requested  HIM to settle in this jotirlingam and bless all of these world being from here,  whoever come to this place with strong devotion, their sin to be melted down and to be purified person by taking bath in this holy  Ganga.The Lord Siva considered HIS request and continuing HIS bless to all of us from here.
PUNNIYA THERTHAMS                                                                                                                                                                                The temple adjacent located Nanavabi called in many names as Siva thirtham, Nana thirtham, tharaga thirtham and Motcha thirtham.It is believed lord siva in water form in this thirtham.The ganga river has got 64 Ghats in its bank here, out of that the Five Ghats are famous for taking holy bath and MAKING pooja for ancestor called as PITHRUKARIYAM they are Asi Ganga ghat, Thasatchva medam ghat, Varana Ganga ghat, Manikarnika ghat.                                                                      Don’t miss to have bath in sacret ganga in your lifetime.Kasi is famous for Ganga holy bath it has got various ISNANA places to take a holy bath,  for going to that places boats (thoni) are available. During your visit take a holy bath in below mentioned ISNANA stages in order wise.                                                                                                                                                    1. Asi stage 2. Tulusidas stage 3. Anuman stage (where you can find tamil pandit more).4. Harichandra stage 5.Kedara stage 6. Annapurna stage 7.Dasaaswamedha stage 8. Manikarnika stage 9.Panchaganga stage 10. Varuna
Apart from above the other stages are Janaki, Sivaala, Prayana, Thiruluchana, Meera and Pragalatha stages are available with nicely made steps along the river banks to take a holy bath. 

Munshi Ghat

Shamesnwar Ghat

PUJA TIME AND PROCEDURE:                                                                                                                                                                                The temple is kept open from 5.30 in the morning and stays so till 12 in the noon. The temple usually remains closed during the noon hours, and reopens in the evening at 4 p.m. The temple closes in the night after the last pujas are performed by 8 p.m. The pilgrims visit the temple any time of the day and worship the Lord by offering flowers and vilva leaves and chanting mantras of Shiva.The evening Aarati is known as Shringar Aarati. During this Aarati the linga is decorated with variety of flowers.
The temple boasts of a mandapa and a sanctum. A linga made of black stone is well placed in the center of the floor in a square silver altar inside the sanctum. The interior is not very extensive. Pilgrims come here to perform abhishekam to the pious Jotirlingam with holy Ganges water.  Pilgrims can pay homage to the Lord at any time of the day.The Dhandapani murthi who is sitting with stick in Nanavabi noth entrance gets first pooja, then only Viswanathar gets pooja this is the tradation followed here.Finally people before leave from kasi gets permission from Kala Biravar then only proceed to home town.
                                                                                 
OTHER PLACES TO SEE                                                                                                                                                                          In kasi other famous temples are Madhavarahi, Annapurani in this temple Deepavali featival carried out grandly wih charot made up of loddu, after end of the season almost at midnight ,the luddu’s from the charot is distributed to devotees. Sakshi ganaesha, Dundi ganesha, visalatchi temple, Manasa mandir, Khushmanda durga mandir,Kamakoteshwar temple, Kanchi kamakodi mut, kedariswarar  temple renovated by Kumara kurupa swamigal  here the boarding/lodging  are provided for south indians, Sirungeri mut,Varahi amman temple,  apart from that kasi has got 12 types of TUVAADHASA  JOTHIRLINGAMS in different location they are  
                                        
Kedariswarar-Omkariswarar-Vathiya natheswarar
Krishnaiswarar-Nageshwarar-Mahakalashwarar
Bageshwarar-Thirayambageshwarar-Shylashwarar
Kakarneshwarar-Ramaeshwarar-Visveshwarar. 
                                                                                                                    
There is a famous saint saying :                                                        
Having birth in Thiruvarur ledas to Mukthi.                                                                              
Living in Kanchi leads to Mukthi.                                                                       
Remembering Thiruvannamali Arunachalasewarar leads to Mukthi.                                                                                                       
Fasting in Narmada river banks leads to Mukthi.                                                                    
Death takes place in Kasi leads to Mukthi.                                                                                                                                                    Most of the Hindus prefered to die in Kasi to have a Mukthi.                                                                            

CLASSICAL GANGA AARTHI PERFORMED BY TEAM daily at evening before sunset pl watch this during your visit.