Kasi Viswanath Temple, Guptkashi – The Temple
The architectural style of this temple is similar to
other temples in Uttarakhand, such as Kedarnath, built in stone with a high
tower over the sanctum and a wooden frame and sloping roof in typical
architectural style of the region, at the top of the tower. There are
Dvarapalas guarding the sanctum. There is an image of Bhairava, a form of Lord
Shiva at the top of the entrance of sanctum.
The exterior facade is painted with lotuses. The temple
priests of Kedarnath stay at Guptkashi during the winter period. There are large
number of Lingas,
seen in and around Guptkashi, which has resulted in the popular
terminology ‘jitney pathar utne shankar’ meaning "as many
stones, those many Shiva's".
Ardhanariswara Temple:
Ardhanariswara Temple is situated to the left of
Vishwanath Temple. It is dedicated to Ardhanariswara representing half man and
half woman. It depicts Lord Shiva and Parvathi are one. Nandi can be found
facing the sanctum. This statue has a Swastika,
a typical Hindu symbol, painted on its side, with its arms aligned in a
clockwise direction, considered as an auspicious direction.
Manikarnika
Kund:
Manikarnika Kund is a small pond (Kund) in front of the
Vishwanath Temple. A Shiva Linga is bathed by two springs, representing
the rivers Ganges (Bhagirathi) and Yamuna. The Yamuna spring water emanates
from a Gaumukh (spout in the shape of a cow’s mouth) and the Bhagirathi spring
flows through trunks of two elephants strategically placed above the Linga.
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