Dr. Kulpati Tiwari, Former Head Priest of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Passes Away; Kashi Mourns

GG News Bureau
Varanasi, 27th June. Dr. Kulpati Tiwari, the former head priest of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, has passed away, leaving Kashi in mourning. He had been suffering from a neurological illness for several months and was admitted to Oriana Hospital. He breathed his last on Wednesday evening, around 5:30 PM. His body has been brought to his residence in Tedhiniya and will be cremated at Manikarnika Ghat. The news of his demise has plunged the religious community of Kashi into grief.

Dr. Kulpati Tiwari was born on January 10, 1954, under auspicious circumstances in the courtyard of Pandit Mahavir Prasad Tiwari, the head priest of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, to father Dr. Kailashpati Tiwari and mother Rama Devi. As a child, his grand horoscope prompted the astrologer to name him Kulpati. His initiation into the religious ceremony was held alongside Baba Vishwanath’s Tilak Utsav in front of the residence of the head priest situated right in front of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Beginning his formal education at Shri Vishwanath Sanatan Primary School at the age of six, Dr. Kulpati Tiwari later enrolled at Central Hindu School (CHS) in Kamachha, Varanasi, after completing his fifth grade education. He continued to excel academically, consistently ranking as the top student in classes six through ten. Pursuing higher education, he gained admission to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and obtained his B.Com. and M.Com. degrees. Driven by a curiosity to understand social norms, he pursued an M.A. in Sociology and earned his doctorate in “The Structure and Functions of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple” under the guidance of eminent scholar Prof. Satyendra Tripathi in the field of religious sociology.

During this time, his father, Dr. Kailashpati Tiwari, initiated him into the ten-lettered mantra of the Sama Veda. This tradition of initiation has been a part of the head priest’s family since the time of Lingiya Pandit Narayan Maharaj in 1659.

Taking over as head priest of Kashi Vishwanath Temple following the demise of his father, Dr. Kailashpati Tiwari, on March 7, 1993, Dr. Kulpati Tiwari undertook the responsibilities of the head priest. He embellished the annual rituals based on traditions associated with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and provided grandeur. However, later, disputes within the family regarding the position of head priest continued to haunt him. Nevertheless, he continued to diligently carry out the traditions observed at Kashi Vishwanath Temple during festivals such as the swings of Kashi Vishwanath during the month of Sawan, the annakut festival on the next day of Diwali, the tilakotsav of Baba Vishwanath on Basant Panchami, the marriage festival on Mahashivratri, and the gavana festival on Amala Ekadashi.

He remained connected with several social, educational organizations, including the manager of Shri Vishwanath Sanatan Dharma Inter College. Currently, he was associated with the international protector of the Savarna Society and as a guide to the National Unity Council, adding glory to many religious, cultural, and social organizations.