AMRITESHWAR

Once there was a Grihastha Rishi (one who leads a normal family life) named Shanaru in Kashi. He used to observe all the prayer codes as laid down in Sanathana Dharma. He performed Brahma Yagnam, Linga Pooja and all the related rituals daily.

One day his son, Upajangini was playing in the nearby forest where he was bitten by a snake and the boy’s body went inert. Totally crestfallen at his son’s death, the Sage brought the body to a place near Swarg Dwar in Kashi which was near Mahasmashan (cremation ground). He placed the boy in a mound of mud and started pondering on the next course of action regarding the cremation.

Unknown to him, under the ground, there was a small Ling of the shape and size of a goose berry (amla). The Shiv Ling was so powerful that by its radiation, the boy Upajangini who was declared dead, got up as if from deep slumber. The sage was utterly surprised as to what had happened. Precisely at that time, one snake passed through the muddy area with a dead worm in its mouth. The moment the dead worm came into contact with the muddy area, it revived.

The sage wondered there must be something in that muddy area which he thought must contain Amrita Sanjivini (elixir capable of overcoming death). He started digging the mud and found one small Ling of the shape and size of a goose berry. The sage immediately took the Shiv Ling out of the mud, and after observing all the rituals, installed the Shiv Ling ceremonially. He then started worshipping the Shiv Ling which was named by him as Amriteshwar.

Amriteshwar

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 94, devotees who touch Amriteshwar Ling will attain Amritatva (victory over death). The Shiv Ling has been described to be so powerful as to make the dead people alive. It is also said that those who pray to Amriteshwar will have no fear of rebirth.

Further, in Kashi Khand, Chapter 73, Lord Shiva tells Goddess Parvaty about fourteen powerful Shiv Lings in Kashi which are capable of giving mukti to devotees. Amriteshwar is first among the fourteen mentioned by Lord Shiva.

LOCATION OF AMRITESHWAR

Amriteshwar is located at Ck.33/28, Neel Kant, Baccha Maharaj Ganga Putra House. From Neelkanteshwar devotees will take a left turn (towards the eastern side) and after walking a few yards, they will come across a Kali Temple. Amriteshwar is just opposite the Kali temple. People can travel upto Chowk by rickshaw and walk upto this place. The temple is located close to Adi Chunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Shakha Mutt of Karnataka.