Where is Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga?
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is in the old city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on the west bank of the Ganga. It is seventh in the Shiva Purana's list of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Shiva is worshipped here as Vishwanath, 'Lord of the Universe', in the city tradition regards as his own.
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
- Presiding deity
- Lord Shiva (Vishwanath / Vishweshwara)
- Location
- Vishwanath Gali, Varanasi
Quick facts
- Location
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Deity
- Shiva as Vishwanath / Vishweshwara
- Present temple
- Built around 1780
- Plan your visit
- Darshan guide and timings
On this page
What makes Kashi Vishwanath unique
Every Jyotirlinga has its own story. Kashi Vishwanath's is inseparable from the city around it.
Because of this, Vishwanath is worshipped not only as one of the twelve, but as the lord of the most sacred of cities.
The Jyotirlinga and the temple's history
The Jyotirlinga has been worshipped through centuries of destruction and rebuilding. Temple tradition holds that the linga was protected in the Gyanvapi well during the 1669 destruction; the present temple was built around 1780. Read the Jyotirlinga history and the temple's history.
Darshan of the Jyotirlinga
The Kashi circuit
Pilgrims traditionally pair darshan of Vishwanath with Annapurna Devi and Kal Bhairav, and with a bath or offering at the Ganga. See the Kashi pilgrimage guide.
See all twelve on our 12 Jyotirlingas of India guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which number Jyotirlinga is Kashi Vishwanath?
Seventh in the Shiva Purana's list and ninth in the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram. The order does not imply rank.
Why is Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga special?
Tradition holds Kashi to be Shiva's own city, never forsaken by him, and a place where death brings liberation. Vishwanath is worshipped as the lord of that city.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Jyotirlinga (encyclopaedia entry with cited references) (opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia — Reference work, checked September 2026
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — official web portal (opens in a new tab)
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — Official temple source, checked September 2026
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple (encyclopaedia entry with cited references) (opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia — Reference work, checked September 2026
- Banaras: City of Light — Diana L. Eck (Knopf, 1982; Columbia University Press reprint) (opens in a new tab)
Columbia University Press — Scholarly source, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
Related guides
- 12 JyotirlingasAll 12 Jyotirlingas of India with their locations and states — Somnath to Grishneshwar — plus the traditional hymn, disputed identifications and pilgrimage planning.
- Jyotirlinga TripHow to plan a Jyotirlinga yatra: grouping the 12 Jyotirlingas into practical regional circuits, seasons to consider, and where Kashi Vishwanath fits.
- JyotirlingaUnderstand the Jyotirlingas: what the term means, the story behind them, all twelve shrines with locations, and where Kashi Vishwanath fits in the tradition.
- BhimashankarBhimashankar Jyotirlinga in the Sahyadri hills of Pune district: its tradition, the source of the Bhima river, the surrounding sanctuary and visiting tips.
- GrishneshwarGrishneshwar (Ghrishneshwar) Jyotirlinga near Ellora in Maharashtra: the Ghushma tradition, the temple rebuilt under Ahilyabai Holkar and tips for visiting.
- KedarnathKedarnath Jyotirlinga in the Garhwal Himalaya: its tradition, the seasonal opening, the trek from Gaurikund, registration and safety for pilgrims.