Maheshwar Old Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Maheshwar Old Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Maheshwar,

Madhya Pradesh 451224

Moolavar

Kashi Vishwanath

Introduction

At a distance of 1.5 km from Maheshwar Bus Station, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the popular religious temples located in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh. Situated in the fort complex, it is one of the old and among the renowned temples of Maheshwar.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is another renowned Shiva temple situated on the sacred land of Maheshwar.

Puranic Significance

According to the locals, this imposing Shiva Linga was supposed to have been consecrated in Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi but incidentally came to be seated here and took the name of Kashi Vishwanath. It is the general belief that this Shiva Linga is as spiritually potent as the Jyothirlinga at Kashi Vishwanath and one can offer their prayers here if they are unable to make the tedious journey to Banaras.

Another interesting story of this temple is about the Nandi Bhagawan installed in the sabha mandap. Locals say that Nandi is known to disappear in the night to graze and return in the early hours of the morning! The priests have erected a balustrade to prevent him from moving about and leaving the premises.

The temple is built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar in 1786 as the Gupta Kashi, near to her Maheshwar Palace. She commissioned this temple after building the Kashi Vishwanathnath Temple in Varanasi. It is across the ghat steps from Swar Ashram at the farthest end of the Eastern most Narmada Ghat.

This temple has a sabha mandap of 18 pillars made of stone. The architectural style and detailing is very similar to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses a large Shiva Lingam. Built on a terrace overlooking Narmada, the mandapa of the temple houses an exquisitely carved Nandi. It is believed that once devotees offer prayer to the holy shivalinga residing in the temple, they are relieved from all pains and troubles in life.