According to the Shiva Purana, a fiery column of light (Jyotirlinga) pierced through the earth and heavens to settle a dispute of supremacy between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. This endless pillar of eternal light was Lord Shiva himself. The Kashi Vishwanath temple marks one of the most sacred manifestations of this divine light.
Kashi (Varanasi) is said to be the oldest living city in the world, standing firmly on the trident (Trishul) of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the holy city was never created and will never be destroyed. Lord Shiva resides here as Vishwanath (The Ruler of the Universe), radiating enlightenment and granting liberation (Moksha) to all who seek his refuge.
A pilgrimage to Kashi during the holy month of Shravan, combined with a dip in the sacred river Ganga and the performance of Rudrabhishek, washes away the sins of countless lifetimes and awakens the soul to supreme consciousness.