The Kashi Vishweshwar Mahadev, one of the nine Nath Mahadev deities established in the ancient city of Vatpadrak or Vatpadrapur (modern-day Vadodara), was consecrated by the sage Brahmarshi Vishwamitra, the priest of King Sudas from the Bharata dynasty and composer of the third Mandala of the Rigveda. Interestingly, unlike the other eight Mahadev deities which carry the suffix “Nath”, this deity is referred to simply as Kashi Vishweshwar Mahadev, named after the Vishweshwar of Kashi (Varanasi). Devotees believe the Shivalinga here is self-manifested (Swayambhu) and divinely awakened (Jagrut).
In Vadodara, the nine Nath Mahadev temples are Siddhnath Mahadev, Ramnath Mahadev, Thekarnath Mahadev, Motnath Mahadev, Kamnath Mahadev, Bhimnath Mahadev, Kashi Vishweshwar Mahadev, Jagnath Mahadev and Kotnath Mahadev. These temples are believed to be the protectors of the city. Devotees hold the belief that visiting all nine Nath Mahadev temples bestows the same spiritual merit as visiting the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Most of these temples are located
either on the banks of the Vishwamitri River (named after Sage Vishwamitra), near lakes or cremation grounds. It’s said that when plotted on a map, the location of these temples forms the sacred symbol ‘ॐ’ (Om). The idols of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati in the Kashi Vishweshwar temple are adorned daily and then worshipped.
During the Maratha rule in Vadodara, Pilajirao Gaekwad, the commander under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, captured Vadodara from the Mughals in 1721 CE. Shahu Maharaj granted him the city as a Jagir. In the mid-18th century, the Gaekwad dynasty established their rule here. According to historian V. K. Rajwade’s ‘Sources of Maratha History, Volume VI’, Gopalrao Mairal, a devout Ganesh devotee and nobleman, served under Sayajirao Gaekwad I. He authored the Sanskrit scripture ‘Ganesh Vijaykavyam’. He established the famous Dhundiraj Ganesh Temple here in 1844. He also built the grand assembly hall in front of the Siddhatek Ashtavinayak Temple.
During Malharrao Gaekwad’s reign (1871–1872), Gopalrao Mairal served as the Diwan (Prime Minister) of Baroda State. During his tenure as Diwan (Prime Minister), he performed religious acts such as granting annual stipends to Brahmins, establishing food allowances for Gosavi and Bairagi ascetics, as well as constructing temples, including the Kashi Vishweshwar Mahadev Temple. It is said that the modern saint and author of the ‘Gitaai’ Acharya Vinoba Bhave once stayed at this temple.
Located near Vallabh Chowk Circle in Alkapuri, the temple sits in a vast courtyard surrounded by high marble walls adorned with numerous Nandi statues. The arched entrance is beautifully carved, with ornamental columns and ceiling artwork. In front of the main temple is a tall metal-roofed canopy. On the left stands a small Hanuman temple with a vermillion-coated stone idol seated on a pedestal. Behind it are marble idols of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita. To the left, there is a side entrance facing away from Hanuman, where a majestic eight-armed idol of Mahalakshmi on a lion mount is placed. In another temple within the compound are idols of Sai Baba, Jalaram Bapa, Dattatreya, Mahalakshmi, Santoshi Mata and Khodiyar Mata.
The Kashi Vishweshwar Mahadev temple is constructed in the Nagar architectural style, consisting of a Sabhamandap (assembly hall), Antaral (intermediate chamber) and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Sabhamandap has a dome-shaped spire, while the sanctum has a tall Urushringa-style spire. Three doorways lead into the Sabhamandap, where a beautifully crafted marble Nandi sits facing the inner sanctum, with a tortoise statue in front.
At the entrance to the Antaral, a portrait of Gopalrao Mairal is displayed. To the left is a metal idol of Ganapati and to the right is a marble idol of Goddess Gayatri, depicted with five faces and eight arms, seated on a lotus. Inside are idols of Ganesh and Hanuman. The Garbhagriha has a stone-built, twin-pillared doorway with finely carved columns. The upper part mirrors the temple’s spire design with lion sculptures. Below the doorway is a Kirtimukh motif. Inside, the sanctum houses a silver Shivalinga mounted on a finely carved silver yoni base, with a brass abhishek pot above. The central Shivalinga is made of stone. Behind it is a decorated idol of Goddess Parvati. Both are daily adorned and worshipped.
Kashi Vishweshwar Mahadev is regarded as the wish-fulfilling deity, attracting numerous devotees daily, especially on Mondays. On Maha Shivratri, various religious programs are held and Mahaprasad is distributed to devotees. The temple also sees a large influx of devotees during the month of Shravan, with special lighting every Monday. On the last Monday of Shravan, a Navnath Kavadi Yatra concludes at this temple.
Key Feature
Located 2 km from Vadodara Railway Station
Accessible via state transport, rail and air from many cities in Gujarat
