Kashi, also known as Varanasi, is one of the seven Mukti sthals of Bharat – the others being Ayodhya, Mathura, Dwaraka, Haridwar, Ujjain and Kanchi. Of these seven, the prime temples of three places, namely Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura had fallen to the Mughal invaders. Presently, a petition is filed seeking permission to worship within the Gyan Vaapi mosque in Varanasi, claiming that it was built atop the original temple of Lord Vishvanatha.
Today there is a temple of Vishvanatha adjacent to Gyan Vaapi mosque, but it was built by Rani Ahilyabai of the Maratha empire in 1780. The original temple was built by Raja Vikramaditya 2050 years ago, claim the petitioners. Looking back at the history of Lord Vishvanatha, this temple had existed even in the Mahabharata times. The wax palace in which the Pandavas were tricked to stay was built in Varanasi only. The Pandavas were lured to go to Varanasi to witness a colourful festival for Lord Shiva in this city in the month of Phalguni.
The Mahabharata states that they started their journey to this temple in Varanasi on the 8th day of Phalguni month, that is on Shukla Ashtami. Even today there is a grand festival of colours, much like the Holi festival, called ‘Rangbhari’, celebrated in this temple on the 11th day, that is Shukla Ekadasi of Phalguni month. The Mahabharata having taken place more than 5100 years ago, this striking similarity offers evidence for the continuous existence of this temple for more than 5000 years.
Kashi was the oldest name of Varanasi, derived from the name of the great grandson of Ila, the daughter of Vaivasvata Manu. The temple of Vishvanatha traces its beginning from the time River Ganga started flowing in the early years of Holocene. As per the temple legends, Lord Shiva appeared as Svayambhu from under the ground and had water filled in his place. That came to be known as the celebrated Gyan Vaapi – which means the Well of knowledge. It is said that this well is fed by the waters of Ganga from under the ground. The well was part of Gyan Mandapa in olden days where discourses have taken place. People in search of knowledge and Salvation flocked to this temple of Vishvanatha.
The evidence for the temple for Lord Vishvanatha exists in the account of the life history of Tulsidas (1511-1623). He lived through the period when Ram Janma Bhumi was destroyed (1528) – which he recalled in his composition ‘Tulsishatak’. It was accepted as evidence during the proceedings on Ram Janma Bhumi-Babri....(Click here to read the rest of the article)
