From a very long time, the temple has been referred to in Hindu theology as a central part of worship in the Shaiva philosophy. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. Adjacent to the temple, there is the Gyan Vapi Mosque, said to be the original site of the temple.
The present structure was built by the Maratha monarch, Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore way back in 1780. The temple has been managed by the government of Uttar Pradesh since 1983.
Kashi Naresh is the chief officiating priest and no other person or priest is allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum, during the religious occasion of Shivratri. The devotees are allowed to enter only after he performs his religious functions.
