MAHALAKSHMEESHWAR
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).
In the process, the Lord mentions one Mahalakshmeeshwar Ling in the vicinity of Lakshmi Kund.
Mahalakshmeeshwar
A devotee who bathes in Lakshmi Kund and worships Mahalakshmeeshwar and Mahalakshmi Devi will attain a position where he will be flanked by Deva Strees (celestial damsels), waving Chanvar (Chamaram – Fly whisk). In other words, he will enjoy his life in heaven.
Kashi Khand also states that devatas living in heaven, alongwith their wives, come to earth and worship Mahalakshmeeshwar.
Kashi Khand states that the entire locality is a Shakti Peeth (seat of vital energy). 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 MAHALAKSHMEESHWAR
Mahalakshmeeshwar is located at D.52/54, just above Lakshmi Kund, opposite a hand pump. This temple and the locality (Lakshmi Kund) are quite famous and people can approach this place through Luxa by rickshaw. Mahalakshmeeshwar is famous by the name of Sorahia Mahadev.
Please watch our YouTube Video about Mahalakshmeeshwar at following Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Hr3HZADGg&t=10s
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.
MAHA SIDDHESHWAR
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).
Maha Siddheshwar
Lord Shiva narrates about Maha Siddheshwar Ling in the vicinity of Siddha Kund. Devotees who worship Maha Siddheshwar will achieve all sorts of Siddhi (divine powers).
LOCATION OF MAHASIDDHESHWAR
Mahasiddheshwar (known by local people as Siddheshwar) is located at Goenka College near Abhay Cinema, Assi. People can reach this place either through Assi Cross Road or Durga Kund by rickshaw. There is another Siddheshwar temple located at J-6/85, Jaitpura in the premises of Jwara Hareshwar temple which is also worshipped with all divinity.
Siddheshwar (Jwara Hareshwar)
TYPES OF POOJA
The temple remains open from 06.30 a.m. to 09.00 p.m. Aarties are conducted at 06.30 a.m. and 07.15 p.m. According to locals, during mornings and evenings there is always a group of persons doing Japam (repetition of religious verses) inside the temple premises.
There is Siddha Koop (Well) inside the temple premises which may be remnant of the Siddha Kund (mentioned in Kashi Khand). Devotees respect this Koop also.
This is a well maintained temple and worth visiting.
MALTEESHWAR
Lord Shiva was describing the various sacred Teerths (Ponds), Koop (Wells) and places of worship in Kashi. Lord Shiva described such places with immense pleasure (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).
In the vicinity of Hasti Paleshwar is the Malteeshwar Ling. By worshipping this Ling, the devotee is blessed with prosperity. In the vicinity of the Ling is Kalodak Koop (Well). The water from the well is capable of curing all diseases.
Please watch our YouTube Video about Malteeshwar at following Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Hr3HZADGg&t=10s
LOCATION OF MALTEESHWAR
Malteeshwar is located at K-52/39, inside Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple. People can approach this temple by rickshaw through Bisheshwarganj/GPO.
LOCATION OF MRITYUNJAY MAHADEV TEMPLE AS PER GOOGLE MAPS IS GIVEN BELOW
TYPES OF POOJA
The temple is open from 04.00 a.m. to 12.00 midnight for worship. People can perform pooja as per their convenience with sacred Ganges water and flowers etc.
MANGALESHWAR
Once Lord Shiva was very unhappy because of separation from Devi and one drop of sweat from his forehead fell on the ground. Out of this combination of sweat and Bhoomi (earth) one male child was born and Bhoomi Devi reared this child.
Because of the association of Bhoomi with his birth, the child was called Bhaumakumar. The boy came to Kashi and reached a Shakti Peeth called Pancha Mudra Maha Peeth. He installed a Shiv Ling at that place and underwent severe Tapas.
After a long time, Visweshwar appeared before him, named him Angarak and gave him the title of Mahagraha. (Out of nine grahas/planets in astrology, Angarak or Mangal or Kuja was termed as the largest planet). Lord Shiva also told that when Tuesday and Chaturthi combine (Angarak Chaturthi) and a devotee performs pooja/archana of the Shiv Ling installed by Angarak (which is called Mangaleshwar), the devotee is blessed with unending prosperity and happiness. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 17).
Mangaleshwar
Old timers in Kashi believe that pooja/archana performed at Mangaleshwar will be especially beneficial for those devotees who have afflictions connected with Mars (Mangal) in their horoscope.
In Sanskrit, Tuesday is referred to as Bhauma Vasar. Tuesday is connected to Mars planet and the word Bhauma has connection with the incident narrated in paragraphs above.
Mangaleshwar is also called as Angaareshwar.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE
Mangaleshwar temple is located at Ck-7/158, Scindia Ghat in the premises of Atma Veereshwar temple. This place can be reached by boat through Scindia Ghat. Alternatively one can travel in cycle rickshaw upto Chowk and walk down the gullies to reach the temple.
LOCATION OF ATMA VEERESHWAR TEMPLE AS PER GOOGLE MAPS IS GIVEN BELOW
Please watch our YouTube Video about Mangaleshwar at following Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15x9DZdnTno
TYPES OF POOJAS
The temple is open for worship from 05.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 12.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Special Aarti is held from 07.00 to 8.30 p.m. For doing special pooja, it is advisable to consult the Poojari before hand.
MARKANDEYSHWAR
Lord Vishnu was describing various religiously important places, teerths etc. to Sage Bindu (Kashi Khand, Chapter 61).
Devotees should bathe in Markanday Teerth and perform rituals for their forefathers. The devotees should then worship Markandeyshwar nearby.
Markhandeshwar
By performing the above religious activities, the devotees will be cleansed of all their sins howsoever abysmal or outrageous these may be.
Markanday Teerth is not in existence now.
LOCATION OF MARKANDEYSHWAR
Markandeyshwar is located at Ck.36/10, in the bazar behind Gyan Vapi. Devotees can travel upto Gyan Vapi (Near Chowk) by rickshaw, take a right turn, climb down the steps and again take a right turn. (If a devotee proceeds diagonally left, he will enter the Gyan Vapi area). After walking a few yards, the devotee will come to Markhandeyshwar on the right side. For ready reference, Jalans (textile merchants) have a portion of their shop nearby (cut piece wing).
TYPES OF POOJA
The place of worship is open from 06.00 a.m. to 09.00 a.m. and from 06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m. However, devotees can have darshan through opening at any time.
POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE
Shri Sanjay Mishra is the priest at this place and he can be contacted at (0)9739712012.
MOKSHA DWARESHWAR
According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 94, a devotee who worships Moksha Dwareshwar Ling will always find Moksha.
Moksha Dwareshwar
By Moksha we may mean release from the cycle of rebirth in the world. Great importance is attached by old timers to such practices that avoid rebirth, and death in Kashi is supposed to grant a person release from this ordeal.
LOCATION OF MOKSHA DWARESHWAR
Moksha Dwareshwar 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.
MUCHKUNDESHWAR
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.
NAGESHWAR
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.
NAKSHATRESHWAR
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.
NAL KOOPESHWAR (NAL KUBERESHWAR)
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.
