Sree Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttarkashi

Sri Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Uttarkashi, situated on the bank of river Bhagirathi. The temple offers a spectacular view of the river Bhagirathi, along with the surrounding mountains. Due to its popularity, it is also part of many Char Dham Yatra Itineraries, which helps pilgrims visit this temple along with the famous Char Dhams.
A divine beauty amidst the majestic Himalayas, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple (in Uttarkashi) offers an authentic spiritual experience. The temple’s serenity, complemented by a smoothing fragrance, creates an atmosphere of ‘tranquility’ as well as ‘devotion.’ We bet that a visit to the ‘Sree Kashi Vishwanath Temple’ is not just a regular journey of physical presence. It is a soulful exploration that leaves a mark on your heart. We highly recommend a visit to this temple if you are seeking a deep connection with the divinity in the serenity of the Himalayas.

Attraction

The location of the temple is absolutely amazing – situated at a distance of 154 kilometers from Rishikesh on the way to Rishikesh from Gangotri. The Viswanath Temple is an ancient holy shrine in this region. One of the most attractive factors is its cheap food pricing. If you plan on visiting there, we recommend you to try out various foods out there.
The temple is also famous for its ‘gold-plated’ domes as well as spires. It’s also known for its Nandi Bull statue. Destroyed many times and so was rebuilt. The present structure, however, stands near the original temple site.
Believe it or not, the ‘Trishul’ cannot be moved with your entire force, but unbelievably, the moment you apply pressure with just one finger, it vibrates.

History

Dedicated to ‘Lord Shiva,’ the Sree Kashi Vishwanath temple was initially built by a Sage named Parshuram and was later renovated by ‘Maharani Khaneti’ who was the wife of ‘Sudarshan Shah in 1857. The present temple we see was built in 1857 A.D. by the queen of ‘Tehri Smt.’ with the traditional Himalayan temple architecture.
Legends say that this is Lord Shiva’s abroad from the second Kaliyuga. Believers say that when Kashi or Varanasi is submerged under water, Lord Kashi Bishwanath will shift this temple to Uttarkashi. It is also believed that Rishi Markandeya’s love for Lord Shiva was so immense that the Lord himself protected Rishi Markandeya from the God of Death (Yama).

Inside/Outside Views

Within the courtyard of the Vishwanath temple, and to the front of it, is the Shakti Temple, dedicated to the goddess of strength. The massive brass trident projecting from this temple bears an inscription describing how the Vishwanath Temple was built. According to it, the temple was built by King Ganeshwar, whose son Guh, a great warrior, built the trident. Twenty-six feet high, this trident’s base measures 8 feet 9 inches, and its top is 18’/2 inches in circumference.
The much smaller town of Gopeshwar also features a Shiva Temple and a trident with Sanskrit inscriptions.
Lord Shiva is showering his blessings upon mankind here. The temple’s Shivlingam is 56 centimeters high and has a tolt to the south. Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha are also present. Nandi is situated on the outer side. The meditating portraits of Shakshi Gopal and Sage Markandeya are also visible, creating a divine aura.

Opening Hours

Opening hours of Sree Kashi Bishwanath Temple:

Saturday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Sunday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Monday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday 6 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 6 AM–8:30 PM

How to Reach

The Sree Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, a few meters from the Bhagirathi River.

By Road: Uttarkashi is well connected by road from the major cities of Uttarakhand. Local vehicles can be spotted at bus stops.

By Train: The closest railway stations are Rishikesh and Dehradun. From there, you can take local transport, such as taxis.

By Air: The Jolly Grant Airport is the closest to the Temple. It is in Dehradun. You can get a local bus or taxi from there. You can book the tickets online.

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