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Gyanvapi Mosque, Varanasi

The mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1669 CE, after destroying a Hindu temple. The remnants of the Hindu temple can be seen on the walls of the Gyanvapi mosque. The demolished temple is believed by Hindus to be an earlier restoration of the original Kashi Vishwanath temple. The original temple had been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. The temple structure that existed prior to the construction of the mosque was most probably built by Raja Man Singh during Akbar's reign.

Aurangzeb's demolition of the temple was motivated by the rebellion of local zamindars (landowners), some of whom may have facilitated the escape of the Maratha king Shivaji from Aurangzeb's custody. Jai Singh I, the grandson of the temple's builder Raja Man Singh, was widely believed to have facilitated Shivaji's escape from Agra. In addition, there were allegations of Brahmins interfering with the Islamic teaching. The temple's demolition was intended as a warning to the anti-Mughal factions and Hindu religious leaders in the city.

The mosque now receives protection under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. Entry into the mosque precinct is restricted, and photography of the mosque's exterior is banned.

Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.
In 2019, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project was launched by Narendra Modi to ease access between Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ganges River, creating a wider space to prevent overcrowding.

  • On 13 December 2021, Modi inaugurated the corridor with a sacred ceremony.
  • A press release by the government said that around 1,400 residents and businesses within the corridor's area were relocated elsewhere and compensated.
  • It also said that more than 40 ruined, centuries-old temples were found and rebuilt, including the Gangeshwar Mahadev temple, the Manokameshwar Mahadev temple, the Jauvinayak temple, and the Shri Kumbha Mahadev temple.

Gyanvapi Mosque.
In September 1669, Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of Kashi Vishwanath Temple; a mosque was constructed in place, probably by Aurangzeb himself, sometime soon.

  • The façade was modeled partially on the Taj Mahal's entrance; the plinth of the temple was left largely untouched to serve as the courtyard of the mosque, and the southern wall — along with its cusped arches, exterior moldings and toranas — was turned into the qibla wall.
  • Other buildings in the precinct were spared.

Nandi at Godowlia.
Nandi at Godowlia is placed so that it can face towards Kashi Vishwanath Temple

  • This is a bustling center of activity in the old city of Varanasi near the ghats.
  • A junction of Dasashwamedh, Luxa and Durgakund roads, this place is a starting point to many journeys from this ancient city.

See also

Sources

Location

Location: 31-24, Gyanvapi Main Road, Lahori Tola, Gyanvapi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India