Ashwini Kumareshwar

This ling is referred to as Aswaniyeshwar in Kashi Khand which mentions two Lings.  According to Kashi Khand, Surya was born to Kashyap and Dakshayani.  Surya married  Sangya, who was very devoted to her husband, as is expected of dutiful wives.

In due course, two sons and one daughter were born to them. The first one was a boy named Vaivasvathamanu, second again a boy named Yamraj and third was a girl named Yamuna.  However, Sangya somehow felt that the heat emanating from Surya was increasingly becoming unbearable.

Sangya created a clone of herself who was named Chhaya (shadow). She was an alter ego (splitting image) of Sangya.  Under instructions from Sangya, Chhaya was to perform the role of Sangya, spend her life as wife of Surya, without disclosing the secret to any one.  She was also expected to take good care of the above three children. After getting an assurance from Chhaya, Sangya went away to her father’s house.

After some time, Chhaya gave birth to three children of which the second one was Shani.  But once her own children were born she started showing lesser and lesser love to the children of Sangya.  Surya came to know about this and got extremely angry whereupon, Chhaya divulged the secret.  However, considering her innocence, Surya pardoned her.

Surya went in search of Sangya who was undergoing severe and intense penance. Due to poor eating and fasting her body had assumed the shape of a mare and Surya disguised himself as a horse (Ashwa in Sanskrit).  In this state, two children were born to them who were twins and came to be known as Aswani Kumars. They are also the divine physicians. Surya later pardoned Sangya also. (Kashi Khand Chapter 17).

In due course, the Aswani Kumars installed two lings which are collectively known as Aswaniyeshwar (Aswani Kumareshwar) and a devotee who worships these Lings will receive all kinds of blessings. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is located at House No. Ck.2/26, Opp. Ganga Mahal, 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.

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open from 06.00 am to 9.00 p.m. Devotees can perform pooja as per their convenience.

POOJARIS OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Upendra Tripathi is the Poojari of the temple.

Goddess Parvaty requested Lord Shiva to describe various Teerths (sacred ponds/lakes) and deities in Kashi. Lord Shiva told her that all Lings are bearing the divine powers of Teerths.

Avadhooteshwar

Somewhere to the north of Visweshwar  is Avadhooteshwar Teerth and Avadhooteshwar Ling.  Devotees worshipping this Ling are sure to attain ultimate knowledge.  In the present day context, this may mean a good education.  This ling is mentioned to be in the vicinity of Pasupateshwar Ling. (Kashi Khand Chapter 97)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is located at Ck. 13/85, Opp. Pasupateshwar, Pasupateshwar Galli. The locality is named after the famous Pasupateshwar Ling. People can travel upto chowk area by rickshaw and walk on foot upto this temple. This temple is a famous landmark.

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple remains open practically throughout. Devotees can have darshan through the grill window.

Temple housing Avi Mukteshwar

Varanasi or Kashi is known as Avi Mukta Kshetra and a person who dies here attains Moksha and has no rebirth.  There has been  a lot of discussions and doubts raised in various places whether Avimukteshwar temple is the main temple or the Vishwanath Temple.  In ancient texts and granths Avimukteshwar temple has been given importance.

It is stated in ancient texts that a person having the darshan of Avimuktheshwar Ling is relieved of all his Paap Karmas of several generations and has no rebirth.  It is also believed that Bhagvan Vishwanath performs pooja of Avimukteshwar every day.   Avimuktheshwar ling finds mention in Ling Puran, Kashi Khand, as also in Brahma Vaivart Puran.

According to historical evidences, there was a magnificent temple of Avimukteshwar Ling and in this premises Vishweshwar Ling was also present.  Devotees had darshan of both lingas in the same premises.  But there was a bout of destructions during Mughal period and the Avimukthshwar Ling may not be in the same place as envisaged in Kashi Khand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

Presently Avimukteshwar Ling is situated in the same premises of Vishwanath Temple viz. Ck-35/19, Chowk, Varanasi. Regarding directions to reach this temple, devotees may kindly refer to  Visweshwar temple.

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open for worship practically throughout the day and aarties (deep aradhana) are performed at various times. 

POOJARIS OF THE TEMPLE

Since 1983, the management of the temple has been taken over by District Administration. The temple was in a congested premises and recently, a compound wall has been demolished to give more leg space and elbow room to the devotees.

Lord Shiva was describing the importance of Trilochan Ling (Kashi Khand, Chapter 75) and in the process there is mention of several other Shiv Lings in the vicinity of Trilochan.

Balmikeshwar (Trilochan)

In the vicinity of Trilochan is one big Shiv Ling is known as Balmikeshwar. Devotees who worship Balmikeshwar will be free from all worries and despair.

LOCATION OF BALMIKESHWAR

Balmikeshwar is located in Trilochaneshwar Temple premises at A-2/80, Trilochan Ghat.  The temple is approachable from Machhodari after crossing which devotees can travel upto Birla Hospital and take a right turn.  Devotees can travel by Auto or Cycle Rickshaw. Alternatively, they can have a boat ride upto Trilochan Ghat and climb the steps.

Balmikeshwar (Heramba Vinayak)

One point needs to be mentioned here.  There is another Balmikeshwar Ling in the premises of Heramb Vinayak which is also worshipped with fervour but the location given in Kashi Khand points out to Trilochan. 

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open for worship 05.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon and 05.00 p.m. to 11 p.m.  Mangala Aarti is performed at 05.30 a.m. and Shayan Aarti at 11.00 p.m.

Taking bath in Padodak Koop on Akshay Tritheeya day and performing pooja of Trilochan and other Lings is very auspicious and there is heavy rush on the above day even now. Jal Shringar is done on Akshay Tritheeya Day which is very well worshipped by devotees.

For doing special pooja etc., it is advisable to consult the Poojari before hand. 

POOJARIS OF THE TEMPLE

Pandit Girija Shankar Pandey is the Poojari of the temple and he can be contacted on his Cell number (0)9236511267 for doing any special pooja.

Bhadreshwar

Goddess Parvaty requested Lord Shiva to describe various Teerths (sacred ponds/lakes) and deities in Kashi. Lord Shiva told her all Lings are replete with the divine powers of Teerths.

Towards the north of Aswiniyeshwar there is a Kund called Bhadrahritam which is filled with cow’s milk.  By taking bath in this Kund, a devotee gets the benefits equivalent to giving donary (A thing given to a sacred use) of 1000 cows to an eligible person. On Poornima days when Poorva Bhadrapad star combines (Poorattati in Tamil), this place attains importance. A devotee should take bath in the above Kund and worship Bhadreshwar Ling situated nearby and he will certainly reach heaven after death. (Kashi Khand Chapter 97). The kund, however, is no longer in existence. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is located at House No. Ck.2/4, 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.

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open from 06.00 am to 9.00 p.m.  While regular poojas are conducted by the Priest, Special poojas are performed on important days like Shivratri and certain Ekadasi days. Aarti is performed daily at morning, afternoon and night. 

Lord Vishnu was recounting various religiously important places, teerths etc. to Sage Bindu (Kashi Khand, Chapter 61). 

Devotees should bathe in Bhagirath Teerth and perform rituals for their forefathers. The devotees should then worship Bhagiratheshwar nearby. 

Bhagirateshwar

By performing the above religious rites, the devotees will be cleansed of all their sins howsoever heinous they may be. Bhagirat Teerth is not in existence now.

LOCATION OF BHAGIRATHESHWAR

Bhagiratheshwar is located at Ck.11/11, near Brahmanal in the house of Devanand Chaturvedi.  This place falls opposite to Vani Vittan Shishu Mandir. There is a stone slab on which the name of lane viz. Dewan Bal Mukund Lane is inscribed. The above house is located on a path  perpendicular to the stone slab. People can travel upto Chowk by rickshaw and walk upto this place through Brahmanal, which is a famous landmark.  They can also travel by boat upto Manikarnika  Ghat and climb the steps.

TYPES OF POOJA

This powerful Shiv Ling is located inside a private house and devotees can have darshan. For performing any special pooja like Rudram etc. devotees may contact Shri Devanand Chaturvedi at 0542-2397091 or Cell (0)9451895699.

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 Bhara Bhoot installed a Shiv Ling called Bhara Bhooteshwar.

Bhara Bhooteshwar

Devotees who worship this Ling in Kashi will attain Mukti.  Kashi Khand, Chapter 55 further states that those who do not worship this deity will remain a burden in this earth just as a huge tree which does not yield any fruits.

LOCATION OF BHARABHOOTESHWAR

Bharabhooteshwar is located at Ck.54/44, Raja Darwaja.  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 150 yards, there is a small right turning where this temple is situated.  Devotees may ask for directions in the general locality.  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 06.00 a.m. to 09.00 a.m. and for about 2 hours in the evening. Timings are flexible.  However, there is a grilled window through which devotees can have darshan throughout.

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 and installed in Kashi. 

From Sapt Godavari Teerth the Lord has appeared in Kashi by name of Bheemeshwar for bestowing happiness and granting Moksha to devotees.  All those devotees who worship Bheemeshwar which is to the east of Nakuleshwar, will be freed from even the most heinous sins committed by them.

Bheemeshwar

On all India basis there are twelve Jyotirlings and there are twelve important Shiv Lings in Kashi which represent the aforesaid twelve Jyotirlings.  The above deity is worshipped as Bheema Shankar(Nashik-Pune Road, Maharashtra).

LOCATION OF BHEEMESHWAR

Bheemeshwar is located at Ck.31/12, Kashi Karvat temple. Devotees can proceed northwards from Visweshwar temple towards Saraswati Phatak and ask for Kashi Karvat temple, which is quite famous.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open practically throughout the day. The ling can be viewed from the top as it is located below the ground level.

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. 

Bhoor Bhuva Suva Ling

Various idols/Shiv Lings have been brought from several other places by Nandi and installed in Kashi.  From Gandamadan Mountains one Shiv Ling has appeared by itself in Kashi, by name of Bhoor Bhuva Suva Ling.

Devotees who worship this Ling will be extremely happy in various parts of heaven.

LOCATION OF BHOOR BHUVA SUVA LING

Bhoor Bhuva Suva Ling is located at No. K.63/26, Bhoot Bhairav locality. (Reference : Book by Pt. Kedarnath Vyas). This is a huge Ling. 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 practically through out the day.  Devotees can have darshan or perform pooja on their own as per their convenience.

On a request by Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva narrated the various deities/ Shiv Lings/Teerths (Sacred Ponds) spread over the expanse of Kashi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).

Kashi Khand mentions one such powerful Shiv Ling known as Bhooteshwar in the vicinity of various other Shiv Lings.

Bhooteshwar

Devotees who worship Bhooteshwar will be blessed with all sorts of wealth and prosperity.

LOCATION OF BHOOTESHWAR

Bhooteshwar is located at Bhooteshwar Gully, Dasaswamedh.  This is a famous locality and people can travel upto Dasaswamedh Ghat Bata Shop area by rickshaw and enquire about Bhooteshwar Gully.  The temple also houses one Shani Idol which is worshipped by devotees.  Alternatively, devotees can take a boat ride upto Dasaswamedh Ghat by boat and climb the steps.

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple is open from 05.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. and from 05.00 p.m. to 09.30 p.m.  Aarties are conducted in the morning and evening.  During closed time, devotees can have darshan through grill gates.  The timings are flexible.

POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE

Shri Ashok Joshi is one of the priests attached to the temple and he can be contacted on his phone 0542-2452615 for performing any special pooja, Rudra Japam etc.