Kashi or
Varanasi, as it is known today, is considered to be the holiest site in India. The Kashi Vishwanatha temple is the presiding temple of Benares. It is dedicated to one of the twelve
Jyotirlingas of India. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The present structure was constructed by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar in the 18th century.
Legend says that the jyotirlinga manifested on a dispute between the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, as to who was the supreme god. Shiva converted himself into a column of light, the jyotirlinga. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu were able to discover the ends of the linga. They then conceded defeat and worshipped him.
Varanasi is on the daily air tourist shuttle route linking Khajuraho, Agra and Delhi. Nearest railway station is Varanasi Junction.
