Kashi Khand, Chapter 97 mentions various Shiv Lings all around Kashi.

Among various Lings, Kashi Khand mentions one important Shiv Ling named Muchkundeshwar.

This Ling is supposed to have been installed by the great Sage Muchkunda.

Muchkundeshwar

Devotees who worship this Ling will derive all happiness and will attain Moksha.

LOCATION OF MUCHKUNDESHWAR

Muchkundeshwar is known by the name of Baradeo and is located near Jaipuria Bhavan (Godowlia area) on the left turning near the Bhavan. This turning leads to Kodai Chowki.  In fact, the locality is also known as Baradeo.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Muchkundeshwar at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QM9964hhtM&t=27s

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple is open for worship from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 05.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m.  Aarties are held in the morning and evening.

Kashi Khand, Chapter 100 has prescribed some Yatras (Religious tours) and one of the important ones is the Antargrihi Yatra.

Nageshwar

Among the deities to be worshipped is Nageshwar which is considered to be an important Shiv Ling.

Nageshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlings.  On all India basis, there are two temples which are worshipped as Nageshwar Jyotirling.  One is in Maharashtra and the other one is near Dwarka.

Nageshwar temple in Varanasi is worshipped as one of the Jyotirlings.  It is believed that doing pooja and archana of Nageshwar Ling at Kashi is as beneficial as doing a similar pooja at the above two temples.  This will cleanse the devotee of all the sins committed knowingly or unknowingly.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is located at House No. Ck.1/21, Patani Tola, Bhosala  Ghat, Varanasi.  One can travel upto Chowk by Cycle Rickshaw and walk to this place via Sankata Devi Temple (famous landmark). Alternatively, devotees can approach the place by boat upto Bhosala Ghat and climb up the steps. There is another Shiv Ling named Nageshwar in the premises of Mrityunjay Temple and devotees worship this Ling also with all divinity.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Nageshwar  at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVskyJmzxGQ&t=13s

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple is open from 07.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and in the evening from 07.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m. Devotees can perform pooja as per their convenience within the above timings. When the temple is closed, devotees can have darshan through an opening created specially for the purpose. According to the Poojari of the temple, performing pooja etc. at this temple will remove the afflictions caused on account of Kaal Sarp Dosh in the horoscope.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Sanjay Maharaj is the poojari of the temple and his cell number is (0)9307701997. 

Long time back sixty beautiful girls including Rohini came to Kashi and started intensely worshipping Lord Shiva.  They reached the place where Varuna river joins Ganga River, installed a Ling called Nakshatreshwar and began performing Pooja of Lord Shiva.

NAKSHATRESHWAR

Lord Shiva appeared before them and desired to know their wishes. The beautiful girls prayed that each of them wanted a husband as powerful and handsome as the Lord himself.  Lord Shiva granted that all their wishes will be fulfilled and stated that they will reside in a celestial world which will be even above Chandra Lok.

Devotees who worship Nakshatreshwar will be free from any afflictions caused by any planet or Nakshatra in their horoscope. The devotees, after their death, will reach the celestial world where these beautiful girls have been ordained to live by Lord Shiva.

LOCATION OF NAKSHATRESHWAR

Nakshatreshwar is located at A.37/51, Raj Ghat Fort, Adi Keshav Temple.  Devotees can travel upto this place by autorickshaw or cycle rickshaw or car.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Nakshatreshwar at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ndgVlXPXyk

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open from 06.00 a.m. to 12. Noon and from 04.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.  The timings may be flexible. At times when the main gate is closed, devotees can have darshan through the grill gate.

On a question raised by Goddess Parvaty, Lord Shiva was describing the various sacred Teerths (Ponds), Koop (Wells) and places of worship in Kashi.  Lord Shiva described such places with pleasure (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).

Nal Koopeshwar

According to Lord Shiva, towards the east of Kameshwar there is one Nal Koop Ling and in front of that Ling is a well called Nal Koop.  Taking bath in Nal Koop and worshipping Nal Koop ling will yield good crops and wealth to the devotees.

India is an agrarian country and getting good crops and grains tantamounts to getting good wealth.  So, much importance has been attached by old timers for good crops.

LOCATION OF NAL KOOPESHWAR

Nal Koop Ling is located at K-30/6 Ghasi Tola.  Old timers believe that old name of Nal Koopeshwar was Panchalkeshwar which was existing to the east of Kameshwar but now the same has disappeared.  The present Ling has been installed in the premises described above.

But the compiler wishes to state that the name of Nal Koop Ling is very much mentioned in Kashi Khand but no name of Panchalkeshwar could be traced.  The devotees may draw their own conclusion.

Regarding re-installing the Ling, it may be mentioned that there was a period when many temples were destroyed by various invaders and the devotees hid some Shiv Lings and Pooja idols at some inconspicuous places other than the temples.  In due course of time (say 100 – 200 years) the new places became their permanent sites.

Presently, Nal Koop Ling is located in a private house but devotees can worship the Ling through a grilled door. When the place was visited, the compiler was allowed to perform a small abhishek (pouring sacred Ganges water) on the Shiv Ling and offer flowers etc. to Lord Shiva.

Nal Koop (Well) is presently existing, as stated in Kashi Khand, in front of Nal Koop Ling.

Devotees can reach this temple by travelling upto Bhairo Nath by rickshaw and then by foot through the Gullies.

Once there was a discussion among various Sages (Rishis) as to which is the most divine river. There were four important rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati and Narmada.   The unanimous answer was Ganga.  Ganga was symbolic of Rig Veda, Yamuna symbolic of Yajur Veda and Narmada of Sama Veda.

It was revealed that long time back, river Narmada offered intense prayers to Lord Brahma and the latter appeared before her.  Narmada asked Lord Brahma that she should be treated equivalent to river Ganga.  On hearing this, Lord Brahma was taken aback and he stated that there is no God equal to Lord Shiva, no Purush equal to Maha Vishnu and no river equal to Ganga.  Narmada was not pleased with the response.

She came to Kashi, installed a Ling near Trilochaneshwar near Pilpila Teerth and started invoking Lord Shiva, who appeared before her and granted her a divine wish.  Narmada only craved for the divine bhakti and darshan of the Lord.

Lord Shiva granted that all stones in the river bed of Narmada will be treated as Shiv Ling. He granted her one more divine wish.  A devotee who takes bath in Ganga is cleansed of his sins. A devotee who takes bath in Yamuna for one week is cleansed of his sin and one who takes bath for three days in Saraswati becomes pure.  However, if a devotee simply sees the river Narmada he will be cleansed of his sins.

Lord Shiva also granted that the Ling established by Narmada would be called as Narmadeshwar. This Ling will be capable of granting Mukti to its devotees.  Merely by looking at this Ling, a devotee will be cleansed of all his sins. After saying this, Lord Shiva disappeared into this Ling. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 92).

Lord Skanda who was narrating this to Sage Agasthya said that a girl who even listens to the Mahatmya or reads this chapter relating to Narmada will be cleansed of her sins.

LOCATION OF NARMADESHWAR

Narmadeshwar is located at A-2/79, behind Trilochan.  People can travel upto this place by rickshaw upto Prahlad  Ghat Chauraha and approach this place via Trilochan which is a famous landmark.

TYPES OF POOJA

Narmadeshwar is a stand alone temple which is open from 06.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and from 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Aarti is held in the evening.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Kashinath is the poojari of the temple.

Chapter 69 of Kashi Khand describes various Lings which were originally stationed elsewhere but have been installed in Kashi by Nandi. This chapter is very important.

Neel Kanteshwar

From Kalanjar mountains, Neelkanth Ling has been installed in Kashi. By worshipping this Ling, the devotees become equivalent to Lord Neelkanth (Lord Shiva).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

Neelkantheshwar is located at Ck.33/23, Neelkanth Mohalla. The locality has been named after Neelkantheshwar temple. People can travel upto Chowk by rickshaw and walk upto this place.  They can ask for the route to Brahmanal Chouraha and this place located on the opposite direction of Mani Karnika Ghat with reference to Brahmanal Chauraha. The temple is located adjacent to Adi Chunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Shakha Mutt of Karnataka.

There is another Neelkanteshwar Ling which is located in a small room just outside Kedareshwar temple on the steps towards Ganges. This Ling is also worshipped with all religious fervour.

Neel Kanteshwar (Kedar Ghat)

 

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple is open from 05.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 04.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.  Aarties are performed in the morning and evening.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Babunath Mishra is the Priest of the temple and he can be contacted at (0)9335230365 for performing any special pooja, Rudra jap etc.

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 97, Lord Shiva was narrating various Teerths (Sacred Ponds) and Shiv Lings in Kashi.

Towards the South of Visweshwar Nikumbeshwar is located.  This deity keeps a watchful eye in the region and blesses the devotees.  Kashi Khand advises devotees to worship this deity without fail.

LOCATION OF NIKUMBESHWAR

Nikumbeshwar is located inside Parvaty temple in the premises of Visweshwar temple at Ck.35/19.  Regarding directions to reach this place, kindly refer Visweshwar temple.  One point needs to be mentioned.  This Ling is mentioned in the Kashi Khand towards the South of Visweshwar.  Historically, Visweshwar Temple has been relocated to the present place.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open practically throughout the day. Devotees can only worship this deity. Visweshwar temple, where Nikumbeshwar is located, is under the management of Distt. Administration and is under intense Police regulations.  Devotees may not get much time to perform any special pooja etc.

On a request by Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva narrated the various deities/Shiv Lings/Teerths (Sacred Ponds) spread over the expanse of Kashi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).

Kashi Khand mentions one Panchanadeshwar Ling in the vicinity of Mangala Gauri.  This Ling is called as Pancha Gangeshwar by the locals.

Panch Gangeshwar

Devotees who worship Pancha Gangeshwar (Panchanadeshwar) will be blessed with all sorts of happiness in life.

LOCATION OF PANCHANADESHWAR

Panchanadeshwar (Pancha Gangeshwar) is located at K.22/11, below Tailang Swamy Mutt.  Without entering the Mutt premises, if a devotee moves around the premises, this Shiv Ling can be seen somewhat below the ground level through a grill gate.  There is also a big Shiv Ling inside the Bindu Madhav temple premises which, the locals say, is Pancha Gangeshwar.

Devotees can travel upto Bhaironath by rickshaw and walk upto this place by enquiring about Tailang Swamy Mutt.  If they travel by boat, they may get down at Panch Ganga Ghat and climb the steps.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open practically throughout.

Kashi Khand has described the importance of the area included under Pancha Krosha Kshetra which is considered to be the most pious area.  In Chapter 26, this area is described to contain the Avimukta Kshetra, housing Visweshwar Temple.  Further, Lord Shiva has described the area coming under Pancha Krosha as very dear to him.  The importance of this area has been amply described in various other Purans also.

Kashi Khand, in Chapter 100 has prescribed various Yatras (religious tours like Shiva Ling Yatras, Ekadasa (eleven) Ling Yatras, Antargrihi Yatra, Gauri Yatra, Surya Yatra, Bhairava Yatra, Vishnu Yatra etc.

One important Yatra being undertaken by the religious devotees in and around Kashi is the Pancha Krosha Yatra which takes a circumambulation around Kashi Kshetra. This tour involves about five days and devotees worship 128 deities on the way.  The tour is indeed tedious and to avoid hardship, people undertake this tour by car or other conveyance to finish the trip in one day.

Pancha Krosha Yatra, per se, has not been mentioned in Kashi Khand, though this finds mention in other Purans like Brahma Vaivart Puran (Kashi Rahasya), Koorma Puran etc.  However, local devotees hold Pancha Krosha Yatra in high esteem and it is reckoned with almost synonymous with Kashi Khand.  Therefore, the compiler is pleased to write about this.

There are various religious groups undertaking this Yatra. Experienced seniors sometimes lead the group of people or they depend on some people to take them around the various places.

Panch Krosha Ling

For those who are not in a position to undertake the extensive tour (for reasons like physical strain, lack of time etc.), there is one Pancha Krosha Temple in Kashi where all the 128 deities are available in miniature form.  The Shiv Ling is supposed to be made of sphatik stone (crystal stone) with both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvaty’s symbolic presence.  According to local pundits, worshipping this temple as per the schedule of Pancha Krosha Yatra is equivalent to undertaking the full fledged Yatra.

LOCATION OF PANCHA KROSHA TEMPLE

Pancha Krosha Temple is located at Ck.5/32, Gola Gully, behind Kashmiri Mal Haveli.  Devotees can travel upto Chowk by rickshaw and travel to this place on  foot. Kashmiri Mal Haveli is a famous locality.

TYPE OF POOJA

The temple is open from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. and from 04.30 p.m. to 09.00 p.m.  The timings are flexbile.  Aarties are conducted in the morning and evening.

According to one of the Poojaries, this temple has been in existence for several centuries.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Uttam Kumar Dikshit is one of the Poojaries of the temple and he can be contacted on his Cell No. (0)9936521919 for performing any special Pooja etc.

After the few batches of Shiv Gans failed to return, Lord Shiva sent few more batches of Shiv Gans from Mandarachal to Kashi.  (Regarding deputation of Shiv Gans to Kashi, devotees are requested to refer to Kukkuteshwar Ling).

These Shiv Gans also decided to settle down in Kashi and they installed Shiv Lings which came to be known after their names. One Shiv Ling named Panchaksheshwar was installed in the vicinity of Trilochaneshwar.

Panchaksheshwar

Kashi Khand, Chapter 55 states that a devotee who worships Panchaksheshwar will always be respected in his community.

LOCATION OF PANCHAKSHESHWAR

Panchaksheshwar is located near Trilochaneshwar Temple at  Trilochan Ghat and is also known as Rudraksheshwar.   The temple is approachable from Birla Hospital after Machhodari upto which place, people can travel by Auto or Cycle Rickshaw. Alternatively, they can have a boat ride upto Trilochan Ghat and climb the steps and enter the gully. The municipal number of the temple premises is A-2/56 and there is a hand pump nearby. 

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open for worship 05.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon and 05.00 p.m. to 11 p.m.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Mithilesh Mishra is available nearby and he can be contacted on his Cell no. (0)9839744493.