Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath, named for Shiva as lord of the universe and for Kashi, the old name of Varanasi, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and among the most sacred Hindu shrines. Its gilded dome and spire have also earned it the name Golden Temple. Its history is traced back to at least the 11th century, and the Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar had it restored in 1780.

The square main shrine is ringed by smaller shrines to deities such as Dandapani, Kaal Bhairav and Vishnu, with more along the lane called Vishwanatha Gali. Over it rise a tall spire, a gilded dome and a golden finial with a flag and trident, about 15.5 m high, and the Jyotirlinga rests on a silver base. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor now joins the temple to the river, holds about 50,000 people and eases access for the elderly and disabled; along it are a mural of Ahilyabai and some 40 restored temples.