VISHWANATH TEMPLE
Dedicated To: Lord Shiva
Popularly Known As: Golden Temple
Rebuilt By: Rani Ahilya Bai
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is popularly
known as the 'Golden Temple' due the gold plating done on its 15.5 meter
high spire. One tonne of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been
used in the gold plating of the spire. 
The temple was destroyed by various invaders and was rebuilt in 1776 by
Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. Today, due to security reasons, metal detectors
are placed throughout the temple.
The Vishvanath temple was, however, destroyed by the Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb who built the Gaynvapi Mosque in its place.
Even today the western wall of the mosque show the remnants of a temple
which had very intricate and fine artwork on it. Both the Kashi Vishwanath
and the Gyanvapi mosque are adjacent to each other.
