Annapurna Temple, Varanasi

Located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, this sanctuary of godness Annapurna was built by Maratha Chieftain Peshwa Baji Rao in 1729.

Meaning of Annapurna Temple

The idol of Annapurna Bhavani a Benovelant faim of shakti, is made in solid gold and carries a cooking pot. The Goddess is believed to be the mother of all the three worlds, heaven, earth and hell and it is said that her devotees never suffer from starvation and want of food.The temple complex has a small sanctum that enshrines the idol of Goddess Annapoorna. It was inaugurated in January 1977 and the famous Shankaracharya of Shringeri consecrated the idol. It is said that the devotes of the Goddess never suffer from starvation.

Structure of Annapurna Temple

 
The idol of Annapurna Bhavani a benevolent form of Shakti, is made in solid gold and carries a cooking pot that is why the Goddess Annapurna is looked upon as the provider of food and the sustainer of prosperity. There is also a striking silver-faced image of Shani (Saturn) within the temple. Shani is feared for his destructive powers and is propitiated to prevent any ill befalling the devout.

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Asisangameshwar Temple, Varanasi

Assi Ghat :Assi Ghat, today known as Assi Ghat marks the Southern Ghat of the City Varanasi. The palatial buildings were under the patronage of Marathas during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. The great Saint Goswami Tulsidas composed the famous epic “Ramacharitmanas” at this ghat his soul departed for heavenly abode. Devotees on this ghat are seen worshiping the huge lingam, under the peepal tree. The temple of Asi Sangameshwar marked with a marble plaque establishes the Puranic heritage of the site. Worship of Sanghmeshwar Mahadev after a holy dip in the sacred river Ganga is an integral part of Panchkoshi Yatra (Pilgrimage of Varanasi).

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Bhudheshwar Temple, Varanasi

According to Kashi Khand, once Chandra (Moon) got deeply infatuated with Tara, wife of Brihaspati.  Despite warnings by Devas, Chandra forcibly took Tara with him. In spite of  many requests and pleadings Chandra kept Tara with him for several days and refused to part with her.

The matter was referred to Rudra Dev who attacked Chandra with a weapon called Pinak. Chandra also retaliated.  However, at the end Tara was separated from Chandra and handed over to Brihaspati.

Soon Brihaspati realised that Tara was pregnant.  He asked her to get rid of that to-be born child from her womb. She did so in the garden, but by that time the child was fully developed. The moment the baby touched the ground, the entire assemblage of the Devas came to know about the birth of a child. All of them insisted on knowing from Tara as to who was the father of the child, but Tara kept silent.

In the meantime, the newly born child who was very intelligent (with Buddhi) threatened that he would curse Tara unless she revealed the truth.  Finally Tara revealed that Chandra was the father of the child.  Considering the high level of intelligence of the child (Buddhi), he came to be called  Budha.  Budha sought permission from Chandra to go to Kashi and pray to Lord Shiva, to which Chandra agreed.

Budha came to Kashi, installed a Ling and started worshipping Lord Shiva for several years.  Finally Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him stating that the Ling installed by Budha be known as Budheshwar and those who worship this Ling will attain highest level of intelligence and such level of intelligence will always remain with the devotee despite his age. (Kashi Khand, Chapter fifteen).

Budheshwar

 

Location of the temple

Budheshwar temple is located at Ck-7/158, Scindia Ghat in the premises of 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.

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Bindumadhav Temple, Varanasi

Vishnu Stuti.mp3

(Recitation by Pt. Nageshwara Rao of Hyderabad.

Please put on the speakers attached to your System and click on the mp3 file above).

As per directions of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu travelled from Mandarachal to Kashi with a divine mission of making King Divodas leave Kashi (Kindly read Divodaseshwar).

After having accomplished his mission, Lord Vishnu was enjoying the serene beauty of Kashi, Pancha Nada Teerth, Padodak Teerth and other places.  At Pancha Nada Teerth, he came across one extremely lean looking Sage who was undergoing Tapas.

Lord Vishnu in his divine form approached the Sage whose name was Agni Bindu and stood in front of him.  The Sage, on seeing the Lord in person, was ecstatic and he prostrated before the Lord.  The Sage then started singing praises of the Lord.

The Sage addressed the Lord by various names like Mukunda, Madusudan, Madhav, Narayan, Rama Bhadran, Chatur Bhuj, Janardhan etc.  The Sage also mentioned that those who worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves or garland made of Tulsi Leaves will get lots of blessings.

After having sung all praises about Lord Vishnu, Agni Bindu Rishi stood silently with folded hands. Lord Vishnu asked the Sage to seek any divine boon. The Sage, in reply, sought only one thing: that  Lord Vishnu should always be available in the vicinity of Pancha Nada Teerth.

Lord Vishnu granted accordingly.  He further stated that Kashi is a Punya Kshetra and devotees can achieve several kinds of Siddhi by staying in Kashi.  Lord Vishnu further told that he would stay in Kashi as long as Kashi is present and there will be no destruction of Kashi, as this holy city is situated atop the Trishul (Trident) of Lord Shiva.  Therefore, even Maha Pralay (great deluge) cannot destroy the city.

Agni Bindu Rishi was extremely happy at this and sought one more divine boon from Lord Vishnu. He desired that Lord Vishnu should always be available in the vicinity of Pancha Nada Teerth in the name of the Sage. Further, a devotee who takes bath in Pancha Nada Teerth and even if he dies elsewhere, he should attain Moksha.  The Sage also sought that a devotee who bathes in Pacha Nada Teerth and worships Lord Vishnu should be blessed with wealth and prosperity.

Lord Vishnu agreed to the request of the Sage.  He stated that henceforth he (Lord) will be known as Bindu Madhav in Pancha Nada Teerth.  By his presence, the Teerth will be extremely Sacred and devotees who bathe in this Teerth and honour learned persons, will be blessed with wealth and prosperity.

The Teerth, which is capable of cleansing all Sins, will be called as Bindu Teerth.  A person may have committed various sins, knowingly or unknowingly.  But if, during the Kartik Month, he religiously bathes in Pancha Nada Teerth and worships Bindu Madhav, he will attain Mukti.

Bindu Madhav

Kashi Khand, Chapter 60 has given in detail the importance of Kartik Month in respect to Pancha Nada Teerth.  Lord Visweshwar himself regularly takes bath in this Teerth during Kartik Month.

Lord Vishnu further stated that he (Lord) was called as Aadi Madhav in Sat Yug, he should be worshipped as Ananda Madhav in Tretha Yug, he would present himself in Dwapar Yug as Shree Madhav. In Kali Yug the Lord should be known by the name of Bindu Madhav.

Agni Bindu Rishi was extremely happy at the direct worship of Lord Vishnu and he prostrated before the Lord.

LOCATION OF BINDU MADHAV

Bindu Madhav is located at No. K.22/37, Panch Ganga Ghat.  Devotees can approach this place by traveling upto Bhaironath in a rickshaw and walking on foot to this place. This is a famous temple.  Alternatively, they can travel by boat upto Panch Ganga Ghat and climb the steps.

Panch Nada Teerth is now known as Panch Ganga Ghat and there is lot of divinity attached to this month, especially during the month of Kartik.  For details refer to Pancha Ganga Ghat mentioned elsewhere.

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