The present temple of Lord Kasi Viswanatha was built in the year 1777 by Rani Ahalya Bai of Indore.  The temple is small in size and the devotees have to pass through a narrow pathway.  Devotees can directly perform the pujas to Lord without the help of the priests.  Mother Annapoorani temple is nearby.  Annakodi Utsav is celebrated on Deepavali day when Mother comes in procession in a rath of Laddus.

Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in wedding matters, for child boon and good education.  The main purpose of visiting Kasi is to perform the ceremonies for the total salvation of the ancestors and also for own salvation.

Lord Shiva-Kasi Viswanatha is all merciful and soft in nature, hence the place is praised as Ananda Bhavanam – Abode of Bliss.  It is also believed that Lord Shiva defeated and burnt Lord Brahmma and Vishnu when they attempted to find His feet and head in this place, resulting in its name Maha Mayanam – the great cremation ground.  Mother Visalakshi has Her own shrine.  Kasi is situated on the western bank of Holy Ganga flowing up to 30 km northward praised as Uttara Vahini.

There are 64 bathing ghats on the bank of Holy Ganga.  The one who makes a dip in each would be the luckiest.  It cannot be possible for every devotee.  They may have their bath in Aschangam, Dasawamedha, Varana Sanga, Pancha Ganga and Mani Karnika ghats in a single day.  This is called Pancha Theertha Yatra.  Aschangama is situated where River As joins the Ganga.  Kasi-Varanasi begins from this place called the entrance of Kasi.  The Shiva Linga here is praised as Aschangameswarar.  Devotees should have a dip here and worship Changameswarar.  It is noteworthy that inspired and gifted Hindi poet Tulasidass who authored the Tulsi Ramayana disappeared at this Aschangama ghat in the Holy Ganga.

The devotee should have his /her dip at the Dasawamedha ghat where Lord Brahmma performed Dasa Ashwamedha Yajnas.  Shivalinga in this ghat is praised as Chooda Lingeswara. Then comes the Varana Sanga ghat and worship of Lord Adhikeswara and proceed to Pancha Ganga ghat where Yamuna, Saraswathi, Shirana and Dhoodabai river confluence.  After the dip here, the devotee should worship Lord Bidhu Madhava and Gangeswarar.  The devotee has to have his/her bath at the Mani Karnika ghat and worship Lord Mani Karnikeswara and Mother Ambica.

Kasi-Varanasi is the creation of Lord Shiva about five thousand years ago in Uttar Pradesh.  It is also known as Maha Mayana, Abiktham and Ananda Bhavanam.  This ancient holy land is between the two rivers Varana and Hasi, hence the name Varanasi.  It is also called Banares.  Budha worshipped Lord Viswanatha here and became one among the nine planets heading education under him.  Students aspiring great scales in the academic field are advised to worship Lord Viswanatha for best results.  Kasi also means City of Light.

It is believed that death of a soul in Kasi ensures total salvation.  Whosoever the being be, human, animal or bird, it is believed that Lord Viswanatha chants the Holy Rama Nama and the Ohm Pranava antra in the ears of the departing soul.