Truly a magnificent and very ancient place of worship for the Hindus. It is in Varanasi (the oldest place in the world) or Kashi in UP. The history of this temple is verified. It has endured the brunt of the invasions and nearly elimination perpetrated by Muslim invaders. The temple is known as a central part of worship in Shaiva philosophy.
It was built and rebuilt many times. Aurangzeb tried to demolish it. He also succeeded in part.
In an authentic book ‘History of India Told by Its Own Historians’, Eliot and Dawson enumerated the fate of Kashi Vishvanath and how he faced and desolated the wrath of the Muslim invaders.
Mind you, the writer does not intend to venture into a rather unpleasant discussion involving Hindu-Muslim unity or diversity. The main objective is to highlight the importance of this temple as a very important temple of Lord Shiva. However, a fleeting reference to the demolitions faced by the Kashi Vishvanath temple cannot be overlooked.
The iconoclastic Muslim invaders found this temple to be ‘The symbol of Hindu religious supremacy’ (to quote Sir Jadunath Sarkar in his essay, ‘Islam and Icons’). By demolishing this, the pride of the Hindus was severely damaged.
To quote a Persian adage in this context, ‘Choon ast azm inhimaad tur az e dil infaas’ (By dislodging the main power or the center of power, the whole system can be shaken). This was the main goal of his countless destruction, but thanks to the indomitable spirit of the deity or his worshipers, he always recovered.
‘Tod dali ek-ek eent mandir ki / Phir bhi mandir jyon ka tyon raha bana’ (Each brick of the temple broke into pieces / However, the temple remained intact). Naubat Rai ‘Nazar’ (a contemporary of Munshi Premchand) rightly stated this fact about Kashi Vishvanath in his aforementioned couplet. It came from Kashi.
One more explanation for the anger of the Muslims is that the temple is known as VISHWANATH / VISHVANATH (The teacher / savior / feeder of the world). Since an emperor in Mughal traditions was known as AALAMPANAAH / JAHAANPANAAH (the same meaning as Vishvanath), it was perceived by Hindus as an affront to the invincibility of the (Muslim) rulers.
On the other hand, the Kashi Vishvanath temple is known for its strict entry into the sanctum sanctorum. He boasts of approaching and stopping even Ms Indira Gandhi at the temple entrance because according to temple tradition only a Hindu can enter and Ms Gandhi after marrying Feroz Gandhi (a Parsi or fire worshiper) He was no longer a Hindu.
His was also questioned and when he told him he had no faith. Entry was denied. It can be called too rigid religious exclusivity. But what religion does not adhere to fanaticism in one form or another?
However, it is a major cult center for Hindus and is known throughout the world. It is believed that a dying devotee in Kashi Vishvanath can feel the loving help of Shiva himself. Kashi Vishvanath Temple hours are from 3 am to 11 pm.
Legends and stories aside, Kashi Vishvanath has an incomparable place in Hindu divinity and mythology. A visit to Varanasi is incomplete without its Darshan, as long as you are a “pure” Hindu! Religious-ethnic adulteration is not allowed! Heed this warning before going there.