Kasi Viswanath Temple, Guptkashi – The Temple

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.