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

In the process, the Lord mentions one Kaleshwar who generates faith in the minds of the devotees who merely look at the Shiv Ling.

Kaleshwar

Devotees who worship Kaleshwar will have purity of mind and thoughts.  A person who has pure thoughts will not have fear of anything in life.

LOCATION OF KALESHWAR

Kaleshwar is located at K-31/49, in the premises of Dandapani Temple.  Devotees can travel upto Bhaironath by rickshaw and walk upto this place by enquiring about Dandapani temple.  If they travel by boat, they may get down at Panch Ganga Ghat and climb the steps.

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple remains open from 05.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 03.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Aarties are conducted in the morning at 07.30 a.m. and at 09.00 p.m. in the evening.  The timings may be flexible.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Tribhuvan Pandey is the Priest attached to the temple.  There is also one person named Shyam Bihari who is available in the temple.

Lord Skanda (Kartikeya) was describing the Kashi Mahatmya to Agastya Rishi in Kashi Khand.  According to Lord, Durvasa Rishi (who is well known for his temper) travelled worldwide and reached Kashi.  He dug a kund (pond) for taking bath and installed a Shiv Ling nearby where  he performed pooja and archana of Lord Shiva.

Kameshwar

For some reasons he got angry and was about to curse Kashi and its denizens. At this point, Lord Shiva appeared in person before him and Durvasa lost his anger.  Lord Shiva granted a divine wish to Durvasa.  Durvasa requested that the Kund dug by him should be known as Kamkund and the Ling installed by him should be called as Kameshwar Ling. Lord Shiva granted boon accordingly.

Lord Shiva said, when Saturday, Trayodashi (13^th day after Amavasya or Poornima) and Pradosha day coincide, persons taking bath in Kamkund and performing pooja of Kameshwar are cleansed of all their sins, their wishes will be fulfilled and they will reach heaven after death. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 85).

Kamkund is now fully dried up and apparently buildings have been constructed over the spot.  Instead of the bath envisaged in Kamkund, people take bath in river Ganges now.  In Kashi Khand there is mention of both Durvaseshwar Ling and Kameshwar Ling with reference to the above incident of Sage Durvasa.

Durvaseshwar (Kameshwar)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

Kameshwar Temple is located at A-2/9 North of Trilochan.  The temple is approachable from a famous locality called Prahlad Ghat (after Machhodari).  Devotees can travel upto Prahlad Ghat Chauraha by rickshaw and walk on foot to the temple.  There are two lings in the temple. The bigger Ling is referred to as Durvaseshwar Ling and the smaller Ling is referred to as Kameshwar Ling or Man Kameshwar Ling.  While Durvaseshwar Ling is symbolic of Bhakti, Kameshwar Ling symbolizes Shakti.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Kameshwar at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrVdSI1zOKI&t=11s

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open for worship from 05.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon and 05.00 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.  Mangala Aarti is held at 5.30 a.m. and Shayan Aarti at 09.30 p.m.

According to the priest, if a person is afflicted with frequent bouts of anger on account of Mangal (Kuja) affliction, pooja etc. performed at this temple will rectify the problem.  For doing special pooja, it is advisable to consult the Poojari before hand.

POOJARIS OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Rajesh Giri is the Poojari of the temple and he can be contacted on his Cell number (0) 9839703054 for doing any special pooja etc.

Once Lord Shiva was casually sitting in a garden and Goddess Parvaty was playing with a ball. She was so engrossed in her game that she became totally oblivious of her surroundings.

Goddess Parvaty was very beautiful in her looks. Kashi Khand, Chapter 65, amply describes the beauty of Goddess Parvaty. While she was jumping up and down, her beautiful tresses also started dancing. Her eye brows began rising and falling, synchronizing with the play ball’s movement.  Precisely at that time, two demons who were passing through the sky saw Goddess Parvaty and immediately they were overcome with evil desires.

They came to the ground, assumed the guise of Shiv Gans and started approaching Goddess Parvaty.  Lord Shiva who was watching these people, with divine sight, could easily recognize the evil designs of the two unwanted guests.  He signalled  Goddess Parvaty, who took the hint.  With great force, she threw the ball at the demons who died instantly.

After slaying the evil demons, the ball touched the ground and took the form of a Shiv Ling. This Ling came to be called as Kandukeshwar.

Kandukeshwar

Kashi Khand, Chapter 65 states that Goddess Parvaty blesses the devotees who worship Kandukeshwar. Besides,  Goddess Parvaty herself worships this Ling daily.  Both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvaty bless the devotees of Kandukeshwar.

LOCATION OF KANDUKESHWAR

Kandukeshwar is located at K.63/29, Bhoot Bhairav locality. 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 and if the temple is closed, devotees may request the priest at Bhoot Bhairav temple who will get this temple open. Devotees can perform pooja on their own.

Kapardeeshwar Ling was installed by Shiv Gana Kapardi near Vimal Kund.  According to Kashi Khand, in ancient times one devotee of Kapardeeshwar named Valmiki was residing nearby.  One day a hideous and cruel looking Pishach/demon (ghost) appeared and told Valmiki that he (Pishach) was once residing near the banks of the holy river Godavari and had committed many sins.  He learnt that a person who lives in Holy places and commits sins, attains Pishach Yoni and his present appearance was due to his past sins.  He appealed to Valmiki to help him.

KAPARDEESHWAR : VARANASI-TEMPLES.COM

Valmiki was all the while chanting Shiv Sahasranam(thousand praises of Lord Shiva) and advised the Pishach to take bath in Vimal Kund and pray to Lord Kapardeeshwar.  The pishach did as he was told and   attained Mukti.  After that, Valmiki gave him vibhuti (sacred ash) to be smeared on his forehead and the Pishach followed his instructions. The value of smearing vibhuti on the forehead is amply described in Kashi Khand inasmuch as a person who smears vibhuti in his forhead is safe from untimely death and mishappenings.

After the Pishach attained Mukti, the above Vimal kund came to be called as Pishachmochan Kund (Kashi Khand chapter 54). This huge kund is still existing in the present day and fairly well maintained.

It is believed that  people who pray to Kapardeeshwar attain absolute control over emotions and Krodh (anger). They are cleansed of all their sins.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

Kapardeeshwar temple is located at C-21/40, 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). Visiting this place is considered very auspicious during Magh month (roughly from January 21 to Feb. 20), Shukla Chaturdasi (one day before Amavasya).

Please watch our YouTube Video about Kapardeeshwar at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7WK69yzHsw&t=5s

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open for worship practically throughout. 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.

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).

Kardhameshwar

Lord Shiva narrates about Kardhameshwar Ling in the vicinity of Ark Vinayak (Lolark) and this Ling is in between Ark Vinayak and Durga Devi.

A devotee who worships Kardhameshwar will be blessed by Lord Shiva and the devotee will see his wishes fulfilled.

LOCATION OF KARDHAMESHWAR

Kardhameshwar is located at No. B.2/17, in the temple premises of Mahishasurmardini (Chamunda Devi). Devotees can reach this place by travelling upto Lolark by rickshaw and then on foot.  Mahishasurmardini temple is quite famous.

The authors would like to add one point.  In the Pancha Krosha Yatra (Religious Tour which circumambulates the entire Kashi area whereby 128 deities are worshipped), Kardhameshwar temple is mentioned in Kandava Village. This place falls about 7 Kms. south-west of Assi.  This Kardhameshwar temple has been constructed in the 10^th Century and is famous for its architecture and is supposed to be the oldest Hindu temple, archaeologically.  Devotees may worship this temple also.

TYPE OF POOJA

The temple is open from 05.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 05.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m.  Aarties are held in the morning and evening.  Evening aarti at around 07.00 – 07.30 is worth watching.

Kashi Khand Chapter 66 describes various Teerths (Sacred Ponds) and Shiv Lings around Jyeshteshwar Ling.  Towards the east of Gandarveshwar is Karkotak Nag and Karkotak Vapi (Well),  popularly known as Nag Kuan.

Nag Kuan

A person who bathes in Karkotak Well and worships Karkotak Nageshwar need not have fear of death due to any kind of poison.  No venom will be able to find way inside his body.

It is worth mentioning here that Karkotak Nageshwar Ling is submerged in the water of Karkotak Well.   When the water level recedes or the water is removed for cleaning purposes, the Ling becomes visible.  However, as long as the Ling remains submerged in the water, the water in the well attains divinity and people pray this well with all divinity.

However, at the main entrance just before going to the Nag Kuan, there is a temple, where one Shiv Ling has been installed which is worshipped as Nageshwar.

Nageshwar (Nag Kuan)

LOCATION OF KARKOTAK NAGESHWAR

Karkotak Nageshwar is located at J-26/206, Nag Kuan.  The place is located at Jaitpura.  Devotees can travel upto Jaitpura Police station and enquire about Nag Kuan which is a famous place. There is another Karkoteshwar Ling just above the water level in the Nag Kuan with an image of serpent etched nearby. This Ling is also worshipped by devotees.

Karkotak Nageshwar

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open from 05.30 a.m. to 12.00 Noon and from 04.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m.  Aarties are performed in the morning and evening.

There is heavy rush in this temple on Nag Panchmi day which falls in the month of Shravan. Till some time back, serpents used to come to this place, but according to locals, due to increase in population, serpents are not visible nowadays.

According to the Poojari, special poojas are performed in this temple for overcoming the ill effects of Kaal Sarp Dosh.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Karkotak Nageshwar at following Link

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

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Tulsi Pandey is the poojari of the temple and he can be contacted on his Cell No. (0)9889772817.

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 94, near Moksha Dwareshwar, one can find Karuneshwar Ling. A person worshipping this Ling will always find happiness.

Karuneshwar

A person who takes bath in Manikarnika and worships Karuneshwar will always be happy. Devotees should worship this Ling on all Mondays.  A devotee who performs pooja on all Mondays for one full year will see that all his wishes get fulfilled. 

Even if a person listens to the greatness of Karuneshwar as narrated by any learned person, the former stands to benefit by this.

LOCATION OF KARUNESHWAR

Karuneshwar is located at Ck.34/10, Lahouri Tola, near Phoota Ganesh.  From Vishwanath temple, a devotee should approach Saraswati Phatak and proceed further straight and after walking about 200 metres, he will approach a place where Phoote Ganesh is located.  People can reach this place by travelling upto Dasaswamedh Vishwanath Gulli by rickshaw and on foot through  Gullies. Lahouri Tola Phoota Ganesh is a famous landmark.

TYPES OF POOJA

The Ling is located inside a house and people can have darshan.  No specific details of Pooja etc. were given by the local people as it was inside a house.

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).

Karvireshwar

In the process, the Lord mentions one Karvireshwar Ling in the vicinity of Mahalakshmeeshwar.  A devotee who worships Karvireshwar will be free from all ailments and diseases.

Kashi Khand states that the entire locality is a Shakti Peeth. There are many powerful Devis in the area and of all the Shakti Peeths in Kashi, Mahalakshmi Shakti Peeth is the most powerful.

LOCATION OF KARVIRESHWAR

Karvireshwar is located at D-52/41, outside Mahalakshmi Temple in the premises of 1008 Shani Maharaj, Poorab Mukhi Shani. Mahalakshmi temple and the locality (Lakshmi Kund) are quite famous and people can approach this place through Luxa by rickshaw.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Karvireshwar at following Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7WK69yzHsw&t=5s

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple is open from 06.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. and from 05.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.  Timings are flexible.  Devotees can perform pooja as per their convenience.

Kashi Khand, Chapter 100 has prescribed Antargrihi Yatra to be performed daily by devotees.  The Yatra (religious tour) covers various deities in the innermost divine place in Kashi.

Kashyapeshwar

Among various deities mentioned in the above Yatra, Kashi Khand mentions Kashyapeshwar in the vicinity of Harikesheshwar. Devotees who worship Kashyapeshwar will attain Mukti in Kashi. Mythologically, this Ling is supposed to have been installed by Sage Kashyap.

LOCATION OF KASHYAPESHWAR

Kashyapeshwar is located at D-35/79, Near Jangambari Mutt, Jangambari, Varanasi.  This is a famous place and can be reached by rickshaw.  If a devotee travels from Sonarpura to Godowlia, just after Jangambari Mutt (on the same side), in between Raj Furnishers and Akash Travels, there is a flight of steps going up. The Shiv Ling is located on the left side when a devotee climbs the flight of steps.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open from 07.30 a.m. to 09.00 a.m. and from 06.00 p.m. to 07.00 p.m.  Aarties are conducted in the morning.

Lord Shiva was in Mandarachal and he sent several batches of Shiv Gans to Kashi to create disturbance in the city and distract King Divodas.  (For details, refer to Kukkuteshwar).

In one of the batches, one Shiv Gan named Kirat installed a Shiv Ling called Kirateshwar.

Kirateshwar

Devotees who worship this Ling in Kashi will shed all fears in their lives.  (Kashi Khand, Chapter 55). Further, Kashi Khand, Chapter 69 states that devotees who worship Kirateshwar which is behind Bharabhooteshwar, will not have any rebirth.

LOCATION OF KIRATESHWAR

Kirateshwar is located at Ck.52/15, near Bharabhooteshwar. If a devotee proceeds from Chowk to Neechibaug, immediately after Chowk Police Station there is a left turn which leads to Raja Darwaja.  After walking for about 200 yards, there is a right turn where devotees will find Shyamlal Khatri Attar Merchants (Perfumers).  Opposite to this shop is the premises Ck. 52/15 and inside the big gate, there is Narayan Agricultural Industries.  Devotees will find Kirateshwar inside the premises, under the ground level.

While Kirateshwar Shiv Ling may not be quite famous, the Attar Merchants are quite famous and devotees will be guided properly.  Devotees can reach Raja Darwaja by rickshaw.  At times due to heavy rush, they may have to get down at Chowk – Neechibaug road and walk on foot to Raja Darwaja.

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple remains open from 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. Devotees can worship as per their convenience.