Kashi Vishwanath Temple
A Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is located in Vishwanath Gali, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The presiding deity is known by the names Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (IAST: Viśvanātha and Viśveśvara), meaning Lord of the Universe.
The original temple, called the Adi Vishveshwar Temple, was demolished by Mohammad of Ghori during his invasion of India. Subsequently, the temple was rebuilt by Man Singh I and Todar Mal under the emperor Akbar.
According to several historical accounts, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of the Hindu temple in 1669. Subsequently, in 1678, the Gyanvapi Mosque was built on its site, but Hindu pilgrims continued to visit the remnants of the temple. Some scholars claim that the demolition was motivated by the rebellion of local zamindars (landowners) who were associated with the temple. The demolition was intended as a warning by Aurangzeb to the anti-Mughal factions and Hindu religious leaders in the city.
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