Best Temples in Kashi (Varanasi)

Introduction:

Varanasi also known as Kashi is considered as the holiest place on the earth. It is said that Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. People from all walks of life come to explore this mysterious place where death is celebrated. In this article we will focus on the best temples to visit in Kashi (Varanasi). Our goal is to make it easy to explore the Kashi in the easiest way.

Best Temples in Kashi (Varanasi):

These are the most famous temples of Kashi:

1.Baba Vishwanath Temple:

Baba Vishwanath temple also known as the Golden temple of Varanasi is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva situated on the bank of holy Ganga. According to Hinduism, when lord shiva and Maa Parvati married, Lord Shiva used to live on Kailash Parvat and Maa Parvati used to live in her father’s house. Once upon a time When lord shiva came to meet Maa Parvati, Maa requested to lord Shiva to take her with him then lord Shiva brought him to Kashi and settled at this place. It is believed that this city is situated on the tip of the trident of Baba Vishwanath temple.

Location: straight 3.8 km from BHU, Near Godowalia Chauraha, Varanasi

Opening Timing: From 4:00am to 11:00pm

Mangala Aarti - 03:00 am to 4:00 am only through ticket of Rs 350 on normal days

Bhog Aarti - 11:15 am to 12:20 pm only through ticket of Rs 180 on normal days

Saptirishi Aarti - 07:00 pm: 8:15 pm only through ticket of Rs 180 on normal days

Night Shringar/Bhog Aarti - 9:00 pm 10:15 pm only through ticket of Rs 350 on normal days

Night Shayan Aarti - 10:30 pm to 11 pm Free

2.Kaal Bhairav Temple:

There is an old saying in Kashi that "First worship should be dedicated to the 'Kashi ke Kotwal' and then do the work. According to religious beliefs of Kashi, this city is abode of Lord Shiva, but The Kotwal of Kashi is called Kaal Bhairav. It is also mentioned in Mahabharata and Upanishads that nothing happens in this city without the consent of Kaal Bhairav Baba and the care of the entire city is in his hands. According to mythology, there is a story behind the Kaal Bhairav ‘the Kotwal of Kashi.’ Once a discussion broke out between Lord Brahma and Vishnu as to who among them is more powerful. Amidst this controversy, Lord Shiva was discussed. During this discussion, the fifth face of Lord Brahma criticized Lord Shiva. Hearing this, Lord Shiva became very angry. It is said that from this anger of Lord Shiva, Kaal Bhairav was born. This is the reason why Kaal Bhairav is also considered a part of Shiva. Kaal Bhairav had cut off the fifth face of Brahmaji with his nails who criticized Lord Shiva.

Location: Near Vishweshwar Ganj, Varanasi around 2.5 km from Baba Vishwanth Gate no. 4 Timing: 5:00 am to 01:30 pm and 03:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Special Aarti: Sunday and Tuesday

3.Visalakshi Temple:

The Vishalakshi Temple or Vishalakshi Gauri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Vishalakshi (an aspect of the goddess Parvati/Sati). It situated at Mir Ghat on the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The daughter of Prajapati Daksha, Sati was married to the god Shiva against his wishes. Daksha organized a great yajna but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the yajna-site, where Daksha ignored Sati and vilified Shiva. Unable to withstand this insult, Sati jumped into the sacrificial fire and committed suicide. Sati died, but her corpse did not burn. Shiva (as Virabhadra) slew Daksha for being responsible for Sati's death and forgave him, resurrecting him. The wild, grief-stricken Shiva wandered the universe with Sati's corpse. Finally, the god Vishnu dismembered the body of Sati into 51 parts, each of which became a Shakti Pitha, temple to a form of the Goddess. Shiva is also worshipped at each Shakti Pitha in the form of Bhairava, the male counterpart or guardian of the presiding goddess of the Pitha. The body part of the goddess Sati which were fallen generally regarded as a Shakti Pitha, the most sacred temples dedicated to the Hindu Divine Mother. There are 4 incarnations of Adi Para shakti is worshipped Goddess Vishalakshi in North, Goddess Renukakshi in West, Goddess Meenakshi in South and Goddess Bahulakshi in East.

Location: Around 500 meters from Baba Vishwanth Gali Gate No.2, Varanasi

Timing: 4:30 am to 11:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

4.Durgakund Temple:

The mention of the temple is first found in "Kashi Khand.” According to Hinduism, this temple was built in 1760 AD by the queen of Bengal, Rani Bhavani. Maa Durga is seated in the form of a Yantra in this temple. This temple is made of red stones. There is Durga Kund on one side of this temple. There are also idols of Baba Bhaironath, Goddess Laxmi, Maa Saraswati and Maa Mahakali in this temple. According to Hinduism, After the killing of Shumbha and Nishumbha, Maa Durga rested in the temple found in Durga Kund after getting tired. The effulgence of the Goddess in this temple is so fierce that by standing in front of the mother and having darshan, the sins of many births are burnt to ashes.

Location: Near Tulsi Manas Temple, Varanasi around 1.2 km from BHU Gate

Timing: 5:00 am to 11:59 am and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

5.Tulsi Manas Temple:

The Tulsi Manas Temple is dedicated to Lord Ram who is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. However, what makes this temple unique is its association with the 16th-century poet-saint, Goswami Tulsidas. Tulsidas is celebrated for his literature, the Ramcharitmanas, an epic retelling of Lord Rama's life in the Awadhi language. The temple was built at the very spot where it is believed that Tulsidas composed this epic. The temple stands on the site of the original house of Tulsidas, which he had transformed into a place of devotion and inspiration. The present structure was constructed in 1964 and is a beacon of cultural and spiritual significance.

Location: Between Sankat Mochan and Durgakund, Varanasi around 1.2 km from BHU Gate

Timing: 5:00 am to 11:59 am and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

6.Sankat Mochan Temple:

Sankat Mochan is one of the most famous temples of Varanasi, The Lord Hanuman is honoured at Sankat Mochan Temple. Because of presence of large number of monkeys inside the premises, this temple is also known as the Monkey Temple. It is one of Lord Hanuman’s sacred temples, as well as the focal point for Hindus’ many religious and cultural events. It is located between Durga mandir and New Vishwanath temple The meaning of Sankat Mochan is “relief from all worries. In the early 1900s, educationist and independence warrior Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya “the founder of the BHU” built Sankat Mochan Temple. Every year on Hanuman Jayanti (Lord Hanuman’s birthday), a unique Shobha Yatra is organized from Durga Kund) to Sankat Mochan Temple.

Location: Between Lanka and Durgakund temple, Durgakund road Varanasi

Timing: 5:00 am to 11:59 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

7. New Baba Vishwanath Temple or Birla Temple (BHU):

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple was destroyed and reconstructed many times - in 1194 by Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak, in 1447 by Hussain Shah Sharqi, and then in 1669 CE by Aurangzeb. In the 1930s, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya planned to replicate Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir on the campus of Banaras Hindu University. The foundation and construction of the Kashi Vishwanath temple had been undertaken by the Birla family in March 1931. The temple was finally completed in 1966. Although primarily a Lord Shiva temple, this exquisite temple has nine other temples within one and welcomes visitors of all faiths to feel its magnificence, which employs symbolism to portray Hinduism’s values and beliefs. The New Vishwanath Temple encompasses all aspects of Hinduism, including good, evil, and humanity, emphasizing the importance of Dharma, Kama, Artha, Moksha, and Karma in our lives.

Location: Around 2 km from BHU Gate, Lanka, Varanasi

Timing: 4:00 am to 11:59 am and 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm

8. Varahi Temple:

Goddess Varahi Devi is a Hindu deity representing the feminine aspect of the all-pervading power of creation, which is inherent in all animate and inanimate beings. She is one of the Matrikas, Matrikas is a group of seven Mother Goddesses which exist in the form of ‘Shakti.’ Shri Varahi Devi is the female counterpart of Varaha, the boar Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The Goddess is the regent of the Northern direction and revered by most Hindu sects, including Vaishnavas, Shaiva’s and Shaktas. Worship of Varahi Devi is often carried at night, using secretive Vamamarga Tantric practices. She is called Barahi in Nepal and the Buddhist goddesses Vajra Varahi and Marichi are also widely believed to be a form of the Goddess. Goddess Varahi is depicted in the form of a boar, wielding a discus and a sword, with which she dispels evil forces when needed. She is sometimes depicted seated on a preta (corpse) while using her mighty tusks to fight demons. The Goddess Varahi is depicted as standing, seated or dancing and wears a conical crown called as Karanda Mukuta. She is also portrayed as having all the various attributes of Lord Vishnu and sometimes associated with holding the Universe in her womb. The Goddess is also considered as the granter of boons and destroyer of enemies. She is also a focal point of Tantric worship and people pray to her for leading a long and prosperous life.

Location: Around 500 meters from Vishwanath Gali Gate no. 2, Varanasi

Timing: Special Darshan from 5:30 am to 9:30 am & Normal Darshan from 7:30 am to 9:30 am

Conclusion:

Varanasi was the capital of Kashi in old times but the name Varanasi came into effect because of the Varuna river. This city is understood as the heart of India. People from all walks of life come to explore this place but find it very difficult to reach all the places at the proper location and at the proper time so Mahatarpan wants to make your journey memorable by explaining the timings and the locations of all the famous places of Kashi. You can also come through us we will try our best to make your journey memorable.

"Let's Explore this Mysterious city together."