RATNESHWAR
Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvaty were happily ensconsed in the Holy City of Kashi, blessing all their devotees. Goddess Parvaty’s father was Giri Raj Himavan. (Giri means Mountain, Raj means King and Himavan is Himalaya Mountains).
Once Giri Raj’s wife (Goddess Parvaty’s mother) told Giri Raj that a long time has passed but there had been no news about the welfare of their daughter Parvaty. Giri Raj also felt the separation from his daughter unbearable. He felt as if he was sitting on burning fire. He decided to visit Kashi to see his daughter.
As is customary, whenever a father visits his daughter in her husband’s house, the father generally carries with him lots of gifts. Accordingly Giri Raj carried with him abundant dresses and Ratnas (precious stones). Kashi Khand states the quantity of precious stones as 8000 Grams of Pearls, 1000 Grams diamonds, and similar or larger quantity of other stones like corals, emarald, sapphire etc.
He reached Kashi and was astounded to see the beauty of the city. He naturally felt his daughter must be quite happy staying here and he was pleased with his fortune. Giri Raj asked a devotee in Kashi the directions to reach his daughter Uma’s house. The devotee praised Goddess and stated that a person who devoutly prays Uma even by uttering these words through his mouth is blessed by Lord Visweshwar.
The devotee further stated that Lord Visweshwar and Goddess Uma (Parvaty) are staying in a very huge Palace befitting the status of an emperor and that the palace has been constructed under the supervision of celestial architect Viswakarma. The devotee went on describing the beauty of the palace where the pillars have been beautified with various kinds of precious stones with beautiful paintings on the wall etc. On hearing the description of the palace, Giri Raj was astounded. The devotee also told Giri Raj that Lord Visweshwara was freely distributing his wealth to the needy persons.
When Giri Raj heard about the greatness of Lord Visweshwara, his generosity and the attractive beauty of his palace, he (Giri Raj) felt ashamed and thought that the huge quantities of Ratnas (precious stones) brought by him as gift for his daughter were no match for what was possessed by Lord Visweshar. By the time it was evening.
Before sun rise the next day, he took bath in Panch Nada Teerth (present Panchganga Ghat), worshipped Kaal Bhairav and after leaving all the precious stones nearby, left for his abode. The Ratnas which he had left as a heap, grouped together and took form of a Ling.
Soon thereafter, Lord Visweshwar and Goddess Parvaty visited the place where the Ling had formed itself. Lord Visweshwar knew by his divine vision as to what had happened. He praised Giri Raj for his greatness and stated that the Ling thus formed out of Ratnas will be called Ratneshwar.
Ratneshwar
According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 67, a person who worships Ratneshwar Ling will be blessed with all prosperity and wealth. The benefits accruing by reciting one crore Rudra Jap will be attained by performing pooja (prayers) of Ratneshwar.
LOCATION OF RATNESHWAR
Ratneshwar is located at K-53/40, on the road leading to Vridhha Kaleshwar/Mrityunjeshwar. People can travel upto this place by rickshaw and the nearest landmark is Bisheshwarganj/GPO.
TYPES OF POOJA
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m. Aarties are performed in the morning at 10.30 a.m. and 8.00 p.m. in the evening. The timings may vary a little.
POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE
The temple is under the charge of Shri Bachhi Lal who can be contacted at his mobile No. 9305049075.
RUDRESHWAR
According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 69, the place where Lord Shiva wore the skin of Gajasur after slaying the latter, was called Rudra Vasam. (Kindly refer to Krithi Vaseshwar).
Once the Lord, in his form as Krithi Vaseshwar, was sitting alongwith Goddess Uma Devi when Nandi offered his prayers and stated that there are 68 places of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva in this holy place. Various idols/Shiv Lings have been brought from several other places by Nandi and installed in Kashi.
Rudreshwar
From a place called Rudra Mahalayam, Rudreshwar has appeared in Kashi in form of a Ling. Devotees who worship Rudreshwar are certain to reach Rudra Lok (heaven). A person who performs pooja of Rudreshwar Ling in Kashi is sure to be venerated as Lord Rudra.
In another reference, (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97), Goddess Parvaty wanted to know about the various Shiv Lings and deities at several places in Kashi and Lord Shiva was pleased to narrate about such deities.
Lord Shiva narrates about a pond called as Rudravasam where devotees can find Rudreshwar. A devotee who worships this Lord will derive the benefits which would normally accrue on worshipping one crore Rudra Devas.
Kashi Khand mentions Rudreshwar at two locations one at Rudravasam (in the vicinity of Krithi Vaseshwar) and the other near Tripureshwar (Tripura Bhairavi). While the first Shiv Ling no longer exists, the location below pertains to the second Shiv Ling.
On the day of Chaturdasi (fourteenth Day after Amavasya or Poornima) when Ardra (Tiruvadirai) star conjoins, this period of time is very very auspicious. If a person takes bath in Rudra Kund and performs pooja of Rudreshwar, he will certainly reach Rudra Lok, even if he dies in any place other than Kashi. (Of course, death in Kashi will ensure a place in Heaven, that is implied). While Rudra Kund is not in existence, devotees may take bath in River Ganga.
For ready reference, Chaturdasi Thithi falls twice in a month and Ardra is one of the 27 stars. Devotees have to watch out for this combination in the almanac (Panchang). This combination can occur once in an year. In the year April 2009 to March 2009, devotees saw this combination on 21-07-2009. During the last year (April 2008-March 2009) this combination occurred on 10.01.2009.
Since Kashi Khand has attached so much importance to this combination, it is worth going through the Panchang.
LOCATION OF RUDRESHWAR
Rudreshwar is located at D.5/21, near Tripura Bhairavi (D.5/24). Devotees can approach Tripura Bhairavi Temple by travelling upto Dasaswamedh Vishwanath Gully by rickshaw. After entering the Gully, immediately there is a right turn. Devotees may take that right turn, walk for about 100 yards and ask for Tripura Bhairavi Temple. Just after the temple, there is a left turn and Rudreshwar is located on the first door on the right side, inside a house.
Rudreshwar is a huge Ling and the residents of the House permit devotees to worship this Ling.
TYPES OF POOJA
The deity is situated inside a house. However, they permit devotees to perform pooja.
