DASASWAMEDHESHWAR
Lord Shiva sent Lord Brahma to Kashi to create disturbance in the Kingdom to make King Divodas leave the Holy City. (For details kindly refer to Divodaseshwar). Lord Brahma assumed the guise of an old Brahmin and visited King Divodas. He was welcomed with honour by King Divodas, who asked the guest (Lord Brahma) as to what can be done for his comfort. The old Brahmin said he desired to perform Aswa Medha Yagna and requested the King to provide all the materials and arrangements. Lord Brahma, with the help of King Divodas, performed not just one but ten Aswa Medha Yagnas. The place where he performed these Yagnas is known as Dasaswamedh Teerth (now known as Dasaswamedh Ghat). Prior to that the place was known as Rudra Sarovar.
Dasaswamedeshwar
Subsequently, Lord Brahma installed a Ling called Dasaswamedheshwar and decided to stay in Kashi. Lord Brahma could not find any fault with King Divodas and could not think of anything to report to Lord Shiva.
According to Kashi Khand (Chapter 52), a devotee who takes bath at Dasaswamedh Ghat and worships Dasaswamedheshwar, is cleansed of all his sins. A person who does the above act of worship on the 1st day after Amavasya in the month of Ashad will attain punya of the highest order and all his sins accumulated over two generations will be washed away.
A devotee should take bath from the first day to tenth day after Amavasya every month in Dasaswamedh Ghat and worship Dasaswamedheshwar and he will always remain happy and there will be no rebirth for him. More importance is attached to the ten days as above in Jyeshta month (June 22-July 21).
LOCATION OF DASASWAMEDHESHWAR
Dasaswamedheshwar Ling is located at Dasaswamedh Ghat inside Shitla Mandir, at D-18/19. Devotees can travel upto this place by rickshaw. Alternatively, they can travel upto Dasaswamedh Ghat by boat and climb the steps.
Location of Dasasmedheshwar Ling (Shitla Mandr) as per Google Map is given in the following Link :
Please watch our YouTube Video about Dasaswamedheshwar at following Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhg8dmD8V8&t=4s
TYPES OF POOJA
The temple remains open practically throughout the day. Aarties are conducted in the morning and evening.
POOJARI OF THE TEMPLE
Shri Ajay Shankar Pandey is the priest attached to the temple and he can be contacted at his Cell No. (0)9450933866.
DHANVANTARESHWAR
Lord Shiva was relating the various sacred Teerths (Ponds), Koop (Wells) and places of worship in Kashi. Lord Shiva described such places with blissful joy (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).
Dhanvantareeshwar
In the vicinity of Malteeshwar is the Dhanvantareshwar Ling. By worshipping this Ling, the devotee is cleansed of all sins committed by him and the devotee is cured of his diseases. Kashi Khand mentions one Dhanvantareshwar Koop (Well) where Dhanvantari (celestial physician) had dropped various medicines/drugs like Mrit Sanjivini, the elixir which revives the dead ones. The Koop is presently not visible. However, in the near vicinity is Kalodak Koop (Well). The water from the well is capable of curing all diseases. Old timers believe that Dhanvantareshwar Koop has merged itself with Kalodak Koop.
Kalodak Koop
LOCATION OF DHANVANTARESHWAR
Dhanvantareshwar is located at K-52/39, in the premises of Mrityunay 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 11.00 p.m. for worship. People can perform pooja as per their convenience with sacred Ganges water and flowers etc.
DHRUVESHWAR
Once a small Kingdom was ruled by a King named Uttanapad, who had two wives namely Suruchi and Suniti. Suruchi had a son named Uttam and Suniti had a son named Dhruv.
Once when the King was sitting in the official Darbar, Uttam came up fully dressed and sat on the lap of his father, the King. Dhruv too proceeded to sit on the King’s lap but was forcibly prevented by Suruchi, who scolded him using derogatory words. The King did nothing to intervene and Dhruv went away to his residence, deeply dejected.
Dhruv’s mother Suniti saw tears in Dhruv’s eyes and soon came to know about the happening in the Darbar. Dhruv wanted to know from his mother, while both Suniti and Suruchi were the wives of the King, why he was being discriminated and ill treated and supposed as inferior to his step brother Uttam.
With utter dismay, Suniti told Dhruv that Suruchi must have performed all benevolent acts in her previous life. All persons ought to do good deeds like philanthropy, display of respect to elders, proper studies, showing respect to guests, worshipping God, listening to and perusal of various Purans, proper behaviour towards friends and persons equal to their parents. Those who undertake such good deeds are blessed in their next birth. The good exalted positions and comforts enjoyed by them in their present life are certainly the result of good deeds performed in the previous birth.
Suniti also told that Suruchi was the principal queen and all the other queens played second fiddle to her. Therefore, she must have priority over other queens in all respects.
Dhruv sought permission from his mother for undertaking penance and intense prayers to the Lord. Though the boy was too young and tender for such ordeal, yet Suniti gave him permission to follow the path of worship. Dhruv left his home and wandered through the forests in search of a suitable and proper place to carry out his prayers and penance.
He was deeply engrossed in thoughts with his eyes closed and when he opened his eyes, he saw seven great Sages passing by. Dhruv immediately prostrated before the great Sages and told them his plight. He expressed his desire to undertake intense penance to the Lord almighty. Dhruv further told that he would like his step brother to be the heir apparent and become the King in due course. Besides, Dhruv had no intention of enjoying something which he had not earned rightfully. He wanted to become an altruist (one who shows unselfish regard for the interest of others) and achieve something in life. He earnestly requested the great Sages to show him the right path.
All the seven Sages were unanimous in their advice. One by one they asked Dhruv to worship Lord Vishnu, in the process describing Lord Vishnu in his various forms. Further, they also advised the mode and manner in which Dhruv should worship Lord Vishnu. They also taught him some Mantras to chant regularly in praise of Lord Vishnu. After giving all good advices to Dhruv, the great Sages departed.
Dhruv reached the banks of Yamuna and started intensely praying Lord Vishnu by chanting the various Mantras as advised by the Sages. His prayers were so intense that many Devas like Lord Indra felt petrified. They tried to disturb Dhruv in his prayers but could not succeed. Kashi Khand, Chapter 20, has described in detail the type of prayers undertaken by Dhruv and various methods of interruptions adopted by the Devas.
The Devas alongwith Lord Indra approached Lord Brahma and narrated the intense penance and austerity undertaken by Dhruv and expressed their fear that their own position was in jeopardy (danger). Lord Brahma assured the Devas and assuaged their apprehension by telling that Dhruv would not do anything detrimental to their interest and advised them not to lose their composure.
However, Lord Vishnu soon realized the sincerity of the penance undertaken by Dhruv and appeared before him. On seeing the Lord in person, Dhruv was overwhelmed with ecstasy and started weeping. He started singing various mantras in praise of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu was very pleased and he granted that Dhruv’s mother would always remain with him.
Lord Vishnu told that he was on the way to Kashi, the abode of Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu showered encomiums (high praises) on Kashi Kshetra and Lord Visweshwar who blesses all the denizens of Kashi. Lord Vishnu made Dhruv sit on Garuda and took him to Kashi. The day was Poornima of Kartik month. On the way, Lord Vishnu stated that a person who takes bath in river Ganga on the Shukla Chaturtasi day of Kartik month and worships Visweshwar is blessed with Moksha.
Dhruveshwar
After reaching Kashi, Lord Vishnu advised Dhruv to install a Shiv Ling in Kashi and worship Lord Shiva. According to Lord Vishnu, if a person installs one Shiv Ling in Kashi it is equivalent to installing one million Shiv Lings in other places. Further, if a person constructs or renovates a temple in Kashi, he will get the punya equivalent to giving entire Sumeru Mountain in Daan (offering). After giving all such good advices to Dhruv, Lord Vishnu disappeared.
Very religiously, Dhruv dug a Kund, installed a Shiv Ling, constructed a temple and started praying Lord Shiva. Soon thereafter he left for his home.
According to Kashi Khand, a devotee who worships Dhruveshwar will attain all happiness in life and reach Dhruv Lok (heaven) after death. Further, prosperity will never leave the devotee. Kashi Khand has described the events related to Dhruv in detail in chapters nineteen to twenty one. Kashi Khand also states that those who read and listen to the story of Dhruv will be absolved of all their sins and will reach the abode of Lord Vishnu after death.
LOCATION OF DHRUVESHWAR
Dhruveshwar is located in the premises of Sanatan Dharm College, Nai Sarak, Varanasi. This is a famous locality and devotees can reach this place by rickshaw/auto.
TYPES OF POOJA
The temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and 06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m. Our enquiries revealed that the timings are extremely flexible.
DIVODASESHWAR
Divodaseshwar
Lord Shiva was in Mandarachal and Kashi was ruled by a very pious and religious King named Divodas. In his Kingdom every one was very happy and there was all round prosperity. He had reached an understanding with Lord Brahma that as long as he was ruling, Devas and other celestial beings should stay away from Kashi and should not create any disturbance in Kashi.
Lord Brahma more or less agreed to it but on one condition that King Divodas should prove to be an excellent administrator and all people living in Kashi and visiting Kashi should be treated well in their religious pursuits. The King agreed and accordingly gave excellent governance.
Lord Shiva was very upset at being away from Kashi for a long time and he wanted to make King Divodas commit some mistake. Accordingly, he sent sixty four Yoginis to create some disturbance, but they were enthralled by the beauty and serene surroundings of Kashi which appeared to be a part of heaven. They ultimately settled down there.
When the Yoginis failed to return, Lord Shiva sent Lord Surya with instructions to create some disturbance in Kashi so as to defeat King Divodas in his resolve. Lord Surya came to Kashi and disguised himself as an astrologer, a learned scholar, a religious propagator, a businessman, a brahmin etc. But he could not find any fault with any person in Kashi or the governance of King Divodas. Lord Surya was also very much attracted towards Kashi and the beauty of the city. Lord Surya thought, if he went back to Mandarachal without fulfilling the wishes of Lord Shiva, the latter would get angry. Lord Surya finally settled in Kashi.
Subsequently, Lord Shiva sent Lord Brahma to Kashi with the same purpose. Lord Brahma, disguised as an old Brahmin, visited King Divodas. He was welcomed with honour by King Divodas, who asked the guest (Lord Brahma) as to what could be done for his comfort. The old Brahmin said he desired to perform Aswa Medha Yagna and requested the King to provide all the materials and make arrangements. Lord Brahma, with the help of King Divodas, performed not just one but ten Aswa Medha Yagnas.
Lord Shiva then sent his Shiv Gans who also were enthralled by the beauty of Kashi and decided to stay there. Installing a Shiv Ling in Kashi is considered very auspicious and the Shiv Gans installed various Lings at several places in Kashi. These Shiv Lings came to be known after their names. (Kashi Khand, Chater 53).
Finally Lord Shiva summoned his son, Lord Ganesha (Vinayak) with the specific mission of creating disturbances in the governance of King Divodas.
Lord Vinayak reached Kashi and assumed the guise of an old astrologer. He made people dream of something and in the morning he met those people and narrated the effects of dreams. He also started interpreting the position of planets in various persons’ horoscopes. By such minatory predictions, he made several people leave Kashi.
In due course, he gained entry into the King’s palace and managed to win the confidence of the ladies thereat. As days went by he also impressed the Queen who told the King about the greatness of the old astrologer and suggested that the King should pay his respects to him. On getting his permission, the Queen sent for the old astrologer.
The King welcomed the astrologer with all humility and the latter blessed the King as per the usual practice. The King asked the astrologer to predict the future. The astrologer after deep thought, told various things about the King and the kingdom. He also stated that starting from that day, on the eighteenth day one Brahmin will come and give him (King) some serious advice which should be followed. After saying this the astrologer left the palace.
In some way or the other Vinayak fulfilled his father’s wishes and settled down in Kashi in various different places in different forms.
Finally Lord Vishnu was sent to Kashi where he approached King Divodas as a Brahmin on the eighteenth day. He was welcomed with all honour by the King and Lord Vishnu in the disguise of a Brahmin preached the King all the good things. The King stated that during his period of governance, the people of Kashi were extremely happy and that there was a sense of religious fervour all around.
King Divodas was advised by the Brahmin to install a Shiv Ling in Kashi, which is considered very auspicious. The Brahmin further advised that after installation of Shiv Ling, on the seventh day, a celestial plane would land from Heaven and take the King to Lord Shiva’s abode. King Divodas was very happy at hearing this. He gave the Kingdom to Rajkumar Samaranjayan, installed a Shiv Ling which came to be known as Divodaseshwer and started praying to Lord Shiva. At the pre-appointed day, the celestial plane landed on the earth, and the King was taken to Lord Shiva’s abode.
Those who worship Divodaseshwar will always be happy, they will be absolved of all their sins and they will be victorious in the battlefield. In the present day parlance, this may be taken as victorious in any competition.
LOCATION OF DIVODASESHWAR
Divodaseshwar Ling is located at D.2/13, Vishwa Bhuja Gauri, near Dharmeshwar/Vishalakshi Gauri. They can travel upto Dasaswamedh Vishwanath Gulli or Bansphatak Vishwanath Gulli by rickshaw and walk on foot to this place. Devotees generally combine prayers at this temple alongwith darshan of Visweshwar/ Annapurna temple.
TYPES OF POOJA
The place of worship is open practically through out and devotees can worship as per their convenience.
DWARESHWAR
Goddess Parvaty wanted to know about various Shiv Lings and deities at several places in Kashi and Lord Shiva was pleased to describe such deities (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).
Dwareshwar
Lord Shiva narrates about Dwareshwar Ling along with Dwareshwari Devi.
Devotees who worship Dwareshwar will attain full benefits of living in Kashi and attain Siddhi. In other words, they will acquire divine powers and attain Moksha.
LOCATION OF DWARESHWAR
Dwareshwar is mentioned to be in south of Durg Vinayak at B-27/1. Our enquiries revealed that the deity is located outside the South entrance of Durga Devi Temple at Durga Kund. The main entrance is to the western side. Dwareshwar is located in a small temple like structure alongwith Dwareshwari Devi (mentioned in Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).
TYPES OF POOJA
The place of worship is open practically throughout and devotees can perform pooja on their own.
