The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands as a revered Hindu sanctuary nestled in Vishwanath Gali, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. This temple holds significant spiritual importance as one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, with the presiding deity known by the names Vishwanath and Vishweshwara, signifying the Lord of the Universe.
Throughout history, the temple has faced multiple demolitions, notably by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who erected the Gyanvapi Mosque on its original site. However, the current structure, erected adjacent to the mosque, dates back to 1780 and was commissioned by the Maratha ruler Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore.
Managed by a board of trustees established by the Uttar Pradesh government since 1983, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple continues to attract millions of devotees annually. In January 2023 alone, a record-breaking 3.35 lakh pilgrims visited the temple, with an average daily footfall exceeding 45,000. Notably, since the inauguration of the corridor in December 2021, the temple has welcomed over 10 crore tourists. The temple's total assets are estimated to exceed ₹6 crores, underlining its enduring significance and widespread devotion.