Varanasi Temples

Temples of Varanasi as referred to in Kashi Khand

PARVATEESHWAR

Once Goddess Parvaty asked Lord Shiva the reason for all round happiness in Kashi. Lord Shiva replied that in various other places, if there is a Shiv Ling, there will be happiness in the area in the radius of about 10 miles. Whereas in Kashi there are Shiv Lings all over the place and thus the happiness is manifold. This is one of the reasons for Kashi to be referred to as Ananda Van. A person who installs a Shiv Ling in Kashi will enjoy ultimate happiness.

Parvateeshwar

Hearing this, Goddess Parvaty expressed her desire to install one Shiv Ling and sought permission from Lord Shiva. If a pativrata wife (wife fully devoted to her husband) does a good job after getting due permission from her husband, she will be successful in her venture. After getting permission, Goddess Parvaty installed a Shiv Ling, near Mahadev Ling, which came to be called as Parvateeshwar.

Kashi Khand, Chapter 93 states that a devotee who worships Parvateeshwar is cleansed of even the worst sin of Brahma Hatya. The devotee who regularly worships this Ling will himself take form of a Shiv Ling in Kashi after his death.

Special importance has been attached to Chaitra Month (March-April) Shukla Paksha Triteeya (3^rd day after Amavasya) and a devotee who performs pooja of Parvateeshwar on this day will get all round prosperity and will attain Moksha.

LOCATION OF PARVATEESHWAR

Parvateeshwar is located at A-3/92, Aadi Mahadev, Trilochan. 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.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Parvateeshwar at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeGKzh9WsWk&t=31s

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open from 05.00 a.m to 9.00 p.m. Mangala Aarti is performed at 05.00 a.m., Shringar at 06.30 a.m., and Aarti at 07.00 a.m. The temple is open till 09.00 p.m.

PARVATESHWAR

Kashi Khand Chapter 100 describes various places of worship and various types of religious tours which should be undertaken by devotees.

According to Kashi Khand devotees should undertake Antargrihi Yatra daily whereby they have to worship various deities.

Parvateshwar

After worshipping Vasukeeshwar, devotees are advised to worship Parvateshwar whereby they will be blessed with all round happiness.

LOCATION OF PARVATESHWAR

Parvateshwar is located at K-7/156, Scindia Ghat. People can travel upto Chowk by rickshaw and walk upto this place by foot through Atma Veereshwar temple which is a famous landmark. Alternatively, they can take a boat ride upto Scindia Ghat and walk up the steps.

Devotees should not confuse this deity with Parvateeshwar which is mentioned elsewhere.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place is open for worship from 05.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 06.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Baba Hemant Bharti is in charge of the temple who always remains in the premises.

PASUPATESHWAR

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 61, Lord Vishnu describes various sacred ponds and deities around Manikarnika Teerth. Towards the north of Manikarnika is the Pasupath Teerth. Devotees should take bath in this Teerth, perform rituals for their forefathers and worship Pasupateshwar.

Pasupateshwar

Pasupateshwar is a huge Swayambhu Ling not vertical or erect but is a protrusion and covers a large suface area. Persons worshipping Pasupateshwar are blessed with all sorts of happiness in life and they are free from all bondages.

Special importance has been given to Chaitra month, a day before Poornima. Devotees are advised to observe fast on this day.

Kashi Khand, Chapter 79 states that Lord Shiva resides in various Lings at various times. In the twilight time, Lord Shiva resides in Pasupateshwar Ling. So worshipping Pasupateshwar at this time is very beneficial to the devotees.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is located at Ck. 13/66, Pasupateshwar Galli. The locality is named after this famous Ling. People can travel upto chowk area by rickshaw and walk on foot upto this temple. This temple is a famous landmark.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Pasupateshwar at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeGKzh9WsWk&t=31s

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple remains open practically throughout the day. There is special Shringar on Chaitra Month, Shukla Paksha, Chaturdasi (as laid down in Kashi Khand). There is also special pooja on Rang Bhari Ekadasi (Ekadasi day before Holi festival).

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

For any special pooja/rudra abhishek etc., devotees may contact Shri Rohit Kapoor at his Cell No. 78393 61621.

PAWANESHWAR

On an humble request by Goddess Parvaty, Lord Shiva described the various Teerths (Sacred Ponds) and Shiv Lings in the Holy City of Kashi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).

Pawaneshwar

Kashi Khand mentions one Pawaneshwar Ling among various other Shiv Lings. All these Lings are capable of giving Siddhi (mystic accomplishments) and many powers to the devotees.

A devotee who worships Pawaneshwar Ling, will attain Siddhi. Siddhi means ultimate knowledge and power for a devotee.

LOCATION OF PAWANESHWAR

Pawaneshwar is located at K.63/14, Bhoot Bhairav Mohalla. The ling is under the ground and there is a flight of steps leading to the Ling from ground level. Devotees can reach this place by travelling upto Kashi Devi temple/Bula Nala/Lohatia by rickshaw and walk on foot upto Jyeshta Gauri/Bhoot Bhairav.

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple is open in the morning from 06.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and 06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m. The timings are flexible. Devotees can perform pooja etc. on their own.

PINGALESHWAR

Several batches of Shiv Gans, on the direction of Lord Shiva, visited Kashi (Kindly refer to Kukkuteshwar). In one of the batches one Shiv Gan known as Pingal arrived at Kashi and being enthralled by the beauty of the divine surroundings, installed a Shiv Ling, near Kapardeeshwar, which was named after him as Pingaleshwar and started praying to Lord Shiva.

PINGALESHWAR : VARANASI-TEMPLES.COM

Kashi Khand, Chapter 53 states that a person who worships Pingaleshwar will be purified by all his sins getting absolved.

LOCATION OF PINGALESHWAR

Pingaleshwar, also called as Nakuleshwar by locals, is located at C-21/40, near Kapardeeshwar in Pishachmochan, which is a famous locality in Varanasi. This place can be reached by cycle rickshaw or auto-rickshaw from Chetganj or Maldahiya or Faatmaan road (Sigra). People visit this Pishachmochan Kund for performing Pind Daan (Shraaddh/ rituals for their forefathers).

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open for worship practically throughout the day. For doing special pooja, it is advisable to consult the Poojari before hand.

POOJARIS OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Kamlesh Tiwari is available at the place and he can be contacted on his Cell number (0)9918989066 for doing any special pooja. Shri Tiwari is also available for helping devotees to perform any rituals for their forefathers at Pishachmochan Kund.

PITA MAHESHWAR

Lord Kartikeya was describing various important Shiv Lings in his narration in Kashi Khand (Chapter 68).

pitamaheshwar before pooja

(PITA MAHESHWAR JUST BEFORE POOJA ON MAHA SHIVRATRI)

pita maheshwar decorated

(PITA MAHESHWAR AFTER SHRINGAR ON MAHA SHIVRATRI)

Pita Maheshwar is a Swayambhu (self manifested) Ling which appeared in Kashi alongwith several important Teerths (ponds). These Teerths (Ponds) may not be available as on present day.

A person who performs Pooja of Pita Maheshwar gives mukti to twenty generations in his family (Kashi Khand, ibid).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is located at No. Ck.7/92, Mohalla Sheetla Galli. The temple is approachable from Chowk upto which place, people can travel by Auto or Cycle Rickshaw.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Pita Maheshwar at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUjzly5dj8E&t=53s

TYPES OF POOJAS

The Shiv Ling is considered to be very powerful. People can have darshan through a hole and the Ling is situated at a depth of over 30 feet below the ground level. Old timers believe that the Ling is very powerful and it is advisable to have darshan through the hole only.

Poojas of the Ling are performed only on select few days, though darshan, as above, is allowed practically through out the year. The special days, as mentioned by the Pundit, are all Mondays of Shravan, Shiv Ratri, Rang Bhari Ekadasi (Ekadasi day before Holi festival) and certain other Ekadasis.

POOJARIS OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Kishan Yagnik and Ashutosh Yagnik are the Poojaris of the temple and they can be contacted on their Cell numbers (0)9935277580 and (0)9305761979 respectively for doing any special pooja.

PITRESHWAR

Goddess Parvaty wanted to know about various Shiv Lings and deities at several places in Kashi and Lord Shiva was pleased to narrate about such deities (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).

Kashi Khand mentions one Pitreshwar Ling near a Pond named as Pitri Kund.

PITRESHWAR : VARANASI-TEMPLES.COM

Devotees who perform rituals for their forefathers at Pitri Kund and worship Pitreshwar Ling will make their forefathers very happy and in turn the devotees will always have their blessings.

PITRI KUND : VARANASI-TEMPLES.COM

LOCATION OF PITRESHWAR

Pitrehwar is located at C.18/47, Pitar Kund Talab. In fact the entire locality is known as Pitar Kunda, in reverence to this Holy Kund. Devotees can travel upto this place by rickshaw from Maldahiya Loha Mandi, through Pishach Mochan and then upto Pitar Kunda.

Please watch our YouTube video on the subject in the following link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6aCdl5kBjc&t=65s

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple is open from 06.00 a.m. upto 10.00 p.m. Aarti is held in the morning. Our enquiries reveal that during Pitar Paksh (one fortnight just preceding Navratri in September-October), people perform rituals for their forefathers at Pitri Kund.

PRAHLADESHWAR

Goddess Parvaty entreated Lord Shiva to describe various Teerths (sacred ponds/lakes) and deities in Kashi. Lord Shiva told her all Lings are enriched with the divine powers of Teerths.

PRAHLADESHWAR

According to Lord Shiva, Prahladeshwar is a Swayambhu Ling in the vicinity of Swarleeneshwar. Devotees worshipping Prahladeshwar will be amply blessed by Lord Shiva. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

Prahladeshwar is located at A-10/80 Prahlad Ghat. Devotees can approach this place by travelling in cycle rickshaw upto Prahlad Ghat Chouraha and walking on foot. Alternatively they can take a boat ride upto Prahlad Ghat and climb the steps. The temple is located just above the steps.

TYPE OF POOJAS

The temple is open from 06.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and 06.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m. The timings are extremely flexible.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Ramesh Chand Tiwari is available nearby and he can be contacted on his Cell No. (0)933556647 for performing any special pooja.

PRAYAGESHWAR

According to Chapter 61, Kashi Khand, Lord Vishnu has described the various Teerths as also various forms of Keshav in Kashi.

Prayageshwar

Much importance has been attached to Prayag Teerth (Dasaswamedh). Special mention has also been made of Prayageshwar. A devotee who bathes in Prayag Teerth in Magh Month and worships Prayageshwar is assured of wealth, food grains, devoted children and ultimately he will attain Moksha.

One point needs to be mentioned. Prayag is a famous place in Allahabad and thousands of devotees assemble there in the Magha Month (during winter) for taking a holy dip. Once in twelve years, Kumbh Mela is held and during the Magha Month falling during that year, this place draws devotees to the tune of 70 to 80 Lakhs. Prayag Teerth in Kashi is a part of Dasaswamedh and taking bath here gives the benefit of taking bath in Prayag at Allahabad.

LOCATION OF PRAYAGESHWAR

Prayageshwar is located in the premises of Bandi Devi temple at D.17/100, Dasaswamedh. Devotees can travel upto Dasaswamedh by rickshaw and just before the Ghat, they have to take a right turn. It is advisable to ask for directions from local shop keepers as there are several labyrinthine (confusing) gullies in the vicinity.

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple remains open from 08.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. However, devotees can have darshan through grilled door throughout.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Babboo Maharaj is the poojari of the temple and he can be contacted at his phone number 0542-2455042 (after 09.00 p.m.) for performing any special pooja etc.

PULAHESHWAR

Kashi Khand, Chapter 18 mentions that various Lings have been installed in the holy city of Kashi by great Rishis (Sages). It is worth mentioning here that on account of intense prayers to the Lords, the Sages have attained divine powers.

Pulaheshwar

Towards the north of Swarg Dwar is the Ling of Pulaheshwar. This Ling has been installed by the great Sage Pulaha. Devotees who worship this Ling will reach the Prajapati Lok after death (Prajapati Lok is considered to be that part of heaven where intellectual people reside).

LOCATION OF PULAHESHWAR

Pulaheshwar is located at Ck.33/43, Thakurdas Surekha Bhavan in Brahmanal Chouraha. This is on the way to Manikarnika Ghat. The premises is having a platform made of marble and this is the easy idetification. People can travel upto Chowk by rickshaw and walk upto this place by foot. Brahmanal Chouraha/Swargdwar is an important landmark.