On 13th December 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor in his parliamentary constituency. This is one of the dream project of the Prime Minister. The construction work was being done on this project for a long time, and in about 32 months, the entire complex of Kashi Vishwanath was rejuvenated.
Now the extension of Baba Vishwanath temple is till the banks of the Ganges. Before the darshan of Baba Vishwanath in Kashi, there was a belief in bathing in the Ganges.
Now devotees will take a holy dip in the Ganges and directly have darshan of Baba Vishwanath, and everything will be done in the temple premises.
Special things of Kashi Vishwanath Dham-
Kashi Vishwanath Dham, built in about 1.5 lakh square feet, is completely ready. There are 23 small and big buildings and 27 temples in this grand corridor. Now devotees coming to Kashi Vishwanath will not have to go through narrow streets and narrow roads. This entire corridor has been built in a large complex of about 50,000 square meters.
This corridor is divided into three parts. Twenty-two marble inscriptions have been installed on four big gates and Pradakshina path. In these, the glory of Kashi has been described. Apart from this, facilities like Mandir Chowk, Mumukshu Bhawan, three passenger convenience centres, four shopping complexes, multipurpose hall, city museum, Varanasi gallery have also been arranged in this corridor.
History of Kashi Vishwanath Temple-
There are many assumptions about the construction and reconstruction of Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. According to historians, the Vishwanath temple was built by King Todarmal, one of the Navaratnas of Akbar.
Dr Rajeev Dwivedi, a professor in the Department of History at Varanasi-based Kashi Vidyapeeth, told the BBC, ‘The Vishwanath temple was built by Raja Todarmal is historical evidence for this and Todarmal has done many more such constructions. Although he got this work done by order of Akbar, this thing is not historically convincing. Raja Todarmal in Akbar’s court was such that he did not need Akbar’s order for this work.
It is said that after a hundred years, Aurangzeb had demolished this temple and then there was no Vishwanath temple here for about 125 years.
After this, in 1735, Maharani Devi Ahilyabai of Indore got the Kashi Vishwanath temple rebuilt. After 286 years, this temple is being presented to the world in a new avatar.
People had to come through narrow streets to visit the temple spread over 2,000 square meters. Still, after the inauguration of this divine and grand corridor, people will now see Baba Vishwanath very easily.
Significance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple-
It is said that Kashi rests on the trident of Lord Shiva. People from far and wide come here to see Baba Vishwanath. Kashi is considered one of the holiest cities. It is believed that Lord Vishwanath resides here as the lord of the universe.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. This Jyotirlinga temple is situated on the Western Ghats of the river Ganges. Kashi is considered the most beloved place of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati.
According to mythological beliefs, only seeing Baba Vishwanath in Kashi one gets freedom from sins and salvation is attained after death.