Visalakshi Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Visalakshi Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Visalakshi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Shakti located in Varanasi (Kasi) City in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Visalakshi means she who has large eyes. The Temple is also known as the Visalakshi Gauri Temple. This Temple is part of the famous triad of temples – Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kashi Visalakshi.

The Temple is considered as one of the Ashta Dasa Maha Shaktipeeth. Being one of the Shakti Peethas of Hindu Mythology, this temple is one of the holiest sites for devotees of the Shakti sect of Hinduism. The Temple is located at Meer Ghat on the bank of the holy River Ganges in the City of Varanasi. The temple is situated by side of the famous cremation grounds of Manikarnika.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/visalakshi-temple-varanasi-legends.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/visalakshi-temple-varanasi-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 03.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 10.00 PM.

Festivals

Two most important festivals in the temple, as well as all other goddess temples in Varanasi, is two Navaratris (nine nights). The Ashwin Navratri or simply called Navaratri, culminating in Vijayadashami, falls in the waxing fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (October) and celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga on the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. The other Navaratri is in the waxing fortnight of Chaitra (March). On each of nine days, one of Varanasi's goddess temples – corresponding to one of the Nava Durga (nine Durgas) or nine Gauris (Parvatis) – is recommended to be visited.

The nine-temple circuit is described in various Kashi Mahatmya (texts narrating the greatness of the holy city of Varanasi/Kashi). Devotees flock to the temple in the evening of the fifth day of Navratri. The yearly temple festival of Visalakshi Temple is celebrated on Kajali Tij (Black Third), the third lunar day (Tij) of the waning fortnight in Bhadrapada, the last month of the Indian rainy season. Women sing amorous rainy season songs called Kajali (black) around this time. The holy day is observed especially for the welfare of brothers by women.

Prayers

Devotees often bathe in the holy Ganges nearby before offering worship at the temple. The puja (worship), offerings, recitation of hymns to the goddess and charity at the temple is considered highly fruitful because of the power of the presiding goddess. The goddess is especially worshipped by unmarried girls for a groom, childless couples for progeny and unfortunate women for the turn of their fortune.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/visalakshi-temple-varanasi-connectivity.html

Location

Kedareshwar Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Kedareshwar Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Kedareshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Varanasi (Kasi) City in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Kedareshwar of Kasi is said to be equivalent to the Kedareshwar of Himalayas. The Temple is situated at Kedar Ghat in the banks of Ganges River. Kashi is one of the seven cities, considered by the Hindu's as Mokshadayikas or the cities leading to salvation. The poojas at the temple are performed by Kumaraswamy Mutt of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is considered as Thirupugazh Sthalam as Lord Murugan of this temple had been praised in Thirupugazh Hymns of Saint Arunagirinathar.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/kedareshwar-temple-varanasi-legends.html

The Temple

The Temple is situated in Kedar ghat on the banks of river Ganga. The facade of the temple is distinguished by its vertical yellow and red stripes at the top of an impressive ghat. The temple is more popular among locals than the outside devotees. This is one of the Ghat temple at Varanasi. Presiding Deity is called as Kedareshwar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. This Temple has all Dwadasa Jyotirlingas and Lord Badrinath. There is lift facility to those who cannot climb steps.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 03.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Pooja Timings

Mangala Aarti is performed at 03.15 a.m., 2nd Aarti at 10.00 a.m., 3rd Aarti at 05.30 p.m. and Shayan Aarti at 10.30 p.m.

Festivals

Ekadasi, Pradosham and Poornima days are observed here. Anna Abhishek is performed once in a year. In this ritual, the Shiv Ling is covered with cooked rice.

Prayers

Taking bath in Ganges on every Monday and performing pooja/Abhishek of Lord Kedareshwar is very auspicious. Much importance to attached to poojas on Mondays during Shravan month (July 23 to August 20) and most importantly on last Monday of that month. It is believed that performing Shraddha ceremony on Amavasya which falls on Tuesday at Kedar Ghat is very auspicious.

Contact

Kedareshwar Temple,

Kumaraswamy Mutt,

Kedar Ghat, Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh – 221 001

Phone: +91 542 245 4064

Email: agentskmutt@gmail.com

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/kedareshwar-temple-varanasi-connectivity.html

Location

Kaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Kaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Kaal Bhairav Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Bhairava, a form of Lord Shiva located in Varanasi (Kasi) City in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Bhairava (Kaal Bhairav), a fierce form of Shiva and wears a garland of skulls and carries a club of peacock feathers. It is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Varanasi. Kaal Bhairav 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. There are nine other Bhairav temples in the city. The Temple is located at K-32/22 Bhaironath, Vishweshwarganj, Varanasi.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/kaal-bhairav-temple-varanasi-legends.html

History

The Shrine was present here from time immemorial and got destroyed by Muslim invaders. The current structure was built in 17^th Century AD.

The Temple

The temple entrance is narrow, and one can see the deity from the entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Kal Bhairav. He is housed in the sanctum. He is a silver faced idol, seated on his vahana (vehicle), a dog and is holding a trident. Only, the face of the icon decorated (with garlands) is visible to the visitors through the doorway. Rest of the icon is covered with a piece of cloth.

There is an icon of Kshetrapal Bhairav, another aspect of Bhairava on the rear door of the temple. The entry to the inner sanctum of the temple is on the backside of the temple and only priests can enter. It is a famous activity to buy sesame oil and flowers for the deity but, not mandatory. There are shops outside the temple to buy the flowers and other items. Unlike many other temples, alcohol is offered to the God. 

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 05.00 am to 01.30 pm and from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm. There will be heavy rush of devotees on Sundays and Tuesdays.  

Festivals

Ashtami day (eighth day after Poornima) in the month of Margashirsha is an important day for worshipping Kaal Bhairav.  Besides Sundays, Tuesdays, Ashtami and Chaturdasi days are very important for worshipping Kaal Bhairav. Annakut (fourth day from Diwali) and Shringar are the other important festivals celebrated in this temple.

Religious Significance

Kaal Bhairav is believed to be the Kotwal (Chief police officer) of Varanasi. It is said that Kal Bhairav decides who has to stay in Varanasi and who should not. People of Varanasi get permission from the deity before leaving the town for any reason. Anyone visiting Varanasi should visit the temple first and get permission to enter into Varanasi, according to folklore. Kaal Bhairav is also believed to be the Kotwal of Sati Pind and without his permission, no one can touch the Sati Pind. Kaal Bhairav protects the devotees from all the problems.

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.  

Prayers

A person who circumambulates Lord Kaal Bhairav 8 times will be absolved of all the sins committed by him. It is also believed that a devotee who worships Kaal Bhairav for 6 months will attain all types of Siddhi (as mentioned in Kashi Khand Chapter 31). Old timers in Kashi believe whenever residents of Kashi leave the city for short journeys, they worship Kaal Bhairav (taking his permission) and on return back to Kashi, they again worship Kaal Bhairav. It is said that those living in or visiting Kashi, must worship Kaal Bhairav and he in turn, grants protection/shelter to all his devotees. This is the temple where Kasi thread (Black) is available. Kala (Black) Bhairavar (Form of Lord Shiva) is the significance of the name.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/kaal-bhairav-temple-varanasi-connectivity.html

Location

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Varanasi (Kasi) City in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. Presiding Deity is called as Vishwanath or Vishveshwara meaning Ruler of The Universe. Mothers are called as Visalakshi and Annapoorani. The temple town, which claims to be the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history, is also called Kashi and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The temple has been referred to in Hindu scriptures for a very long time as a central part of worship in the Shaiva philosophy. It has been destroyed and re-constructed a number of times in history. The last structure was demolished by Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor who constructed the Gyanvapi Mosque on its site. The current structure was built on an adjacent site by the Maratha ruler, Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780. Since 1983, the temple has been managed by the government of Uttar Pradesh. During the religious occasion of Shivrathri, Kashi Naresh (King of Kashi) is the chief officiating priest.

Kashi is one of the seven cities, considered by the Hindu's as Mokshadayikas or the cities leading to salvation. This city is known as Varanasi as it is located between the two rivers Varana and Asi. Millions of pilgrims converge here to perform an abhishekam to the sacred Jyotirlinga with sacred water of river Ganga. Because of the immense popularity and holiness of Kashi Vishwanath temple, hundreds of temples across India have been built in the same architectural style. Security arrangements do not allow any cell phones, camera, belts with metal buckle, cigarettes, lighters, etc. inside the temple.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/kashi-vishwanath-temple-varanasi-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/kashi-vishwanath-temple-varanasi-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/kashi-vishwanath-temple-varanasi-temple.html

Temple & Pooja Timings

The Temple opens daily at 2:30 A.M. In Mangala Aarti 3 to 4 A.M. ticket holders are permitted to join. From 4 to 11 AM general Darshan is allowed. 11.30 to 12 AM mid-day Bhog Aarti is done. Again 12 Noon to 7 PM devotees are free to have Darshan. From 7 to 8.30 PM evening Sandhya Aarti is done after which darshan is again possible up till 9.00 PM, when Sringar/Bhog Aarti starts.  After 9.00 PM Darshan from outside only is possible. Shayna Aarti starts at 10.30 PM. The Temple closes at 11 PM. 

Festivals

Foundation Day, Makar Sankranti, Mahashivaratri, Shrawan Maah, Dev Deepawali, Annakoot, Rangbhari (Aamlaki) Ekadashi and Akshaya Tritiya are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/kashi-vishwanath-temple-varanasi-religious-significance.html

Prayers

Kashi is One of the seven cities, considered by the Hindu's as Mokshadayikas or the cities leading to salvation. Devotees believe that the Lord resides here and is the giver of liberation and happiness. The one who prays and worships Vishweshwara with devotion attains all his desires and one who incessantly recites his name attains all siddhis and finally gets liberated.

Contact

Kashi Vishwanath Temple,

Vishwanath Gali,

Varanasi – 221 001

Uttar Pradesh, India

Phone: +91 542 239 2629 / 239 0550

Fax: +91 542 239 2629

Email: shrikashivishwanathtempletrust@gmail.com

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/kashi-vishwanath-temple-varanasi-connectivity.html

Location