Maha Kaleshwar Temple, Varanasi

On a question raised by Goddess Parvaty, Lord Shiva was describing the various sacred Teerths (Ponds), Koops (Wells) and places of worship in Kashi.  Lord Shiva described such places with pleasure.

Towards the east of Daksheshwar Ling is the Mahakaleshwar Ling. By worshipping this Ling, the devotee  gets the benefits of worshipping the entire world. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97). Here, it may mean that of all the deities spread over the world. Mahakaleshwar is capable of saving devotees from untimely death.

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While Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling is in Ujjain, people worship this temple in Kashi (as Jyotirling of the same name) as it is stated to be equivalent in strength.

LOCATION OF MAHAKALESHWAR

Mahakaleshwar is located at K-52/39, Mrityunjay Mahadev temple.  People can approach this temple by rickshaw through Bisheshwarganj/GPO.

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.

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Manikarnika Devi Temple, Varanasi

Lord Vishnu was describing to Sage Bindu, the various forms of Lord Vishnu and other deities in Kashi.

Lord Vishnu describes Manikarnika in the form of a Goddess near Chakra Pushkarini Teerth (Mani Karnika Ghat). Kashi Khand has described amply the structure and appearance of Manikarnika Devi who appears as a twelve year old girl.  She is as fair as a Spatik (crystal), with soft hairs.  The devi is described as radiating beauty.

Devotees who wish for attaining Moksha should worship this deity.

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LOCATION OF MANIKARNIKA DEVI

Manikarnika Devi is located at Ck.7/130, Scindia Ghat, opposite 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. Atma Veereshwar is a famous temple.

TYPES OF POOJAS

The temple is open for worship 06.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 04.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Timings are flexible.

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Trilochaneshwar - Vindhyavasini Devi Temple (Trilochanghat), Varanasi

Trilochan Ling finds mention in Kashi Khand as Trivishtabh Ling.  In the south of Trilochan, three holy rivers Yamuna, Saraswati and Narmada joined together once. It is believed that these three rivers themselves performed abhishek of Trilochan Ling (Kashi Khand, Chapter 75).

While Omkareshwar Ling attained prime importance among all Lings in Kashi, the importance of darshan of Trilochan Ling is given more prominence.  Trilochan is a Swayambhu Ling and  it is stated in Kashi Khand that the Ling came to the earth from seven Patal Lokas, piercing each and every layer.

Trilochaneshwar

Let alone having darshan, even uttering the word of Trilochan by mouth will cleanse the devotee of his sins.  A person knowingly or unknowingly committing sins in any place, finds mukti in Kashi and a person committing a similar sin in Kashi finds mukti by eulogizing (praising) Trilochan Ling. (Kashi Khand, ibid).

The three rivers mentioned above join together in a Teerth called Pilpila Teerth.  It is believed that taking a bath in Pilpila Teerth and having darshan of Trilochan is considered very auspicious.

Performing pooja/archana of Trilochan on all Ashtami and Chaturdashi days are auspicious.  In Vaishaka Month (April 20-May 20) Shukla Paksha Tritheeya (third day after Amavasya), also known as Akshay Tritheeya is a very very auspicious day and people who observe vrath (fast) on that day and perform Shraadh Karma (rituals towards their forefathers) attain high level of enlightenment and obtain blessings of their ancestors and Gods.

In Kashi Khand, besides Pilpila Teerth, there is mention of Padodak Koop (well). This Koop is still existing in the temple premises.  Pilpila Teerth is existing in the form of Pilpila Koop very near to Trilochan temple. While the Padodak well has been kept covered, there is a pump attached to the well, with the help of which water is drawn.

Location of the Temple

Trilochaneshwar Temple is located at A-2/80, Trilochan Ghat.  The temple is approachable from Birla Hospital after Machhodari upto which place, devotees can travel by Auto or Cycle Rickshaw. Alternatively, they can have a boat ride upto Trilochan Ghat and climb the steps. This temple also houses Varanasi Devi which finds mention in Kashi Khand, Chapter 33.

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 is very auspicious and there is heavy rush on the above day even now.

Jal Shringar is done on Akshay Tritheeya Day  in the evening which is very well worshipped by devotees.

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

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Kaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi

Kaal Bhairav Temple is situated in Varanasi.Varanasi is Picturesquely situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy Ganga, Varanasi, one of the ancient seats of learning in India, is said to be a compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively. This name seems to have been corrupted, in medieval times to Banaras, which was in use till May 24, 1956 when it was changed to Varanasi, by an order of the Government of India. Varanasi is probably one of the most ancient living cities in India. From time immemorial it has been a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage , being visited by millions of people every year.


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Situated in Visheswarganj, Kaal Bhairav, is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are nine other Bhairav temples in the city. Kaal Bhairav, the "Black Terror," is widely known as the Kotwal, the "police chief," of Kashi, and the section of the city in which his temple stands is known as Kotwalpuri. Bhairav is considered a fearsome manifestation of Shiva. He wears a garland of skulls and carries a club of peacock feathers. Kaal Bhairav, whose name, Kaal means both Death and Fate, in addition to meaning Black. He is the black one who has also assumed the duties of the God of Death in Kashi. Even Death, it is said, is afraid of Kaal Bhairava. 


Kaal Bhairav's temple today is one of the most intresting in Varanasi. Entering from the street , through a door guarded by Bhairava's mount, the dog, one finds a fine courtyard, in the center of which is the main shrine of Bhairava. Only the silver face of kaala bhairava, garlanded with flowers, is visible through the doorway of inner sanctum. The rest of Bhairava's image-said to be pot-bellied, seated upon a dog, holding a trident-is hidden behind a cloth drapery. 

For many centuries, this temple was a spiritual center in Kashi for the most severe of Shiva ascetics, the "Kapalis" or "Skull-Bearers," and their later descendants, the Gorakhnathis. Today, however, the temple is no longer the exclusive domain of such extremist yogis and is, rather patronized by ordinary householders for his protective blessings.This temple is popular and beloved among those who live under its influence in the surrounding Kotwalpuri section of the city.

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Tilbhaandeshwa Shiva Temple, gauriganja, Varanasi

Kashi,the oldest living city on this planet, the city is having many 'Jagrit' (live) temples where one can realise the power supreme.


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Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev is one of the many Jagrit temples of Kashi.The temle is situated at Pandey Haveli,near Bhelupur,Varanasi.

This is a temple of Lord Shiv. The Shiv Lingam of this temple is said to be shvambhu i.e. emerge by itself.

The Shiv Linga is said to emerge 2500 years ago.

It is mentioned in Shri Shiv Puran about the Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev.The ShivLingam is said to increase by size of a 'til'.

This fact is proven scientifically and it is a miracle which can be seen by the eyes.Presently the visible part of the Shiv Ling is almost 3.5 ft. and the diameter of the base would be around 3 ft. (approx).

The exact height of whole Shiv Lingam is not known but it must be around 20 ft. There is a special silence in the temple unlike other temples. There is no 'panda' system so one can go to main GarbhGriah where the Shiv Ling is offered Jal and can sit and meditate in the feet of Lord.

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