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.

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

(PITA MAHESHWAR JUST BEFORE POOJA ON MAHA SHIVRATRI)

(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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pulastheeshwar

There is another Ling installed by a great Sage Pulasthia and known as Pulatheeshwar in the same premises.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Pulaheshwar and Pulateeshwar at following Link

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

TYPES OF POOJA

The Ling is installed inside the premises of a private person. However, devotees can have darshan throughout.  People can perform pooja on their own.

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.

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.

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 14, there was a religious place called Eeshan Puri where Lord Shiva’s devotees resided.  Eleven of the staunch devotees of Lord Shiva reached Kashi,  installed a Shiv Ling called Eeshaneshwar and started praying that Ling.  They offered special prayers on Ashtami and Chaturdasi days (eighth and fourteenth day respectively after Amavasya and Poornima).

Eeshaneshwar

Kashi Khand states that if a devotee undertakes fast on Chaturdasi, remains awake the whole of the night, praying to Eeshaneshwar, he will be blessed with all happiness and will attain Moksha (release from rebirth).

LOCATION OF EESHANESHWAR

Eeshaneshwar is located at Deepak Cinema compound at Bansphatak.  The Cinema  hall has been demolished and a Shopping Mall is under contruction.  The Mall authorities are preserving the temple and they were kind enough to allow the compiler to offer prayers at this temple.

Enquiries revealed that presently darshan is allowed only through the wall from the by-lane nearby.

It is expected that once the construction of Mall is fully completed, darshan will become easy as the devotees will have easy access to the temple.

TYPE OF POOJA

Presently the temple is open from morning to evening.  After the Mall becomes fully operational, there may be some timings attached to the temple.  Devotees can perform pooja on their own.

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

In the vicinity of Someshwar Ling, there is mention of Ganeshwar Ling.  Devotees who worship this Ling will derive happiness and prosperity.

Ganeshwar (Rameshwar)

On all India basis there are twelve Jyotirlings and there are twelve important Shiv Lings in Kashi which represent the aforesaid twelve Jyotirlings.  Ganeshwar is also known as Rameshwar and is worshipped as Rameshwar Jyotirling (Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu).

LOCATION OF GANESHWAR

Ganeshwar also known as Rameshwar is located at D.16/34, Manmandir Ghat. Devotees can travel upto Dasaswamedh Vishwanath Gully in a rickshaw and immediately after entering the gully, they should take a right turn and walk for about 60 yards.  They may ask for directions of Varahi Devi temple which is very famous and quite close by.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Rameshwar at following Link

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

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open from 06.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon and from 05.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m.  Devotees can worship as per their convenience.