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Varanasi is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples and this one stands out as being particularly significant. Devoted to Shiva, it features an ornate dome covered with 800kg worth of gold plating – truly making an impressionful statement about the significance of Varanasi itself.
Gyanvapi Mosque was initially constructed by Qutb-ud-din Aibak but later destroyed by Aurangzeb of Mughal Empire, who rebuilt it under his rule as Gyanvapi Mosque.
Kaal Bhairav Temple
Kaal Bhairav Mandir is an important place of worship for Aghoris and Tantriks alike, and holds great religious significance. Devoted to Batuk Bhairav – Lord Shiva’s avatar – this temple features the Akhand Deep that has been burning continuously for centuries, with oil from this lamp thought to have healing properties. If one worships Kaal Bhairav with devotion for approximately six months their sins will be washed away.
Kaal Bhairav is believed to possess the power to dispel fear and protect devotees from negative influences such as greed, anger, and desire. Furthermore, time and mortality no longer hinder him – making him an especially potent manifestation of Shiva himself as well as an archon protectoring our universe from evil forces.
Visitors enter the temple through a door guarded by Bhairava’s mount, the dog. As soon as they step inside they’re met by an expansive courtyard housing Kaal Bhairav’s main shrine with his silver image garlanded with flowers; rest of statue which features pot-belly figure sitting on dog with trident is hidden by draperies and cloth drapery.
Daily, hundreds of devotees offer liquor to their deity. A temple priest pours bottles into a saucer placed close to its lips; after praying and tilting slightly, miraculously vanished liquor is dispersed among devotees as an offering and considered part of Prasad or food offering for deities.
Vishwanath Temple
Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi, built during Peshwa Baji Rao of Maratha reign in Nagara style during mid-18th century, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses a golden-plated Shivalingam. Daily, locals make offerings of grains or other food items as offerings to this ancient deity in his sanctum sanctorum – this makes this one of the oldest and most beloved temples in Varanasi!
One can find Hanuman’s image, covered with vermillion, here at this holy city temple. Devotees often come here to perform last rites for deceased relatives in this holy place – Pind Daan – here. Additionally, this place of worship boasts a large well and dark water pond within its premises that believers believe has curative powers for diseases when splashed on themselves from said pool of dark water.
The main temple has been damaged and rebuilt multiple times over its long history, first by Qutb-ud-din Aibak’s forces in 1194 before being restored by a Gujarati merchant. Later it was again damaged under Aurangzeb but Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore from Malwa donated several acres to help reconstruct it.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Temple to Lord Hanuman can be found along the Assi River on Banaras Hindu University’s Sankat Mochan Hanuman Lane and was originally built by Tulsidas, author of Ramcharit Manas, after having seen Hanuman here and creating this monument as an offering to him. Later it was enhanced further by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya – educator and freedom fighter during early 1900s.
Temple of Lord Hanuman is widely revered, drawing devotees in to offer prayers and pay obeisance at its aarti. Worshipping him can help relieve sorrows and sufferings for devotees, with besan ke ladoo being sold here as an offering to devotees as a sign of respect.
At this temple, Lord Hanuman stands as its primary deity before Lord Rama, whom he always revered with such devotion and selflessness. This trait sets this shrine apart from other Hanuman shrines throughout India.
Another key characteristic of this temple is its accessibility for people from all classes, making it an ideal space for meditation and spiritual practice. Every year, thousands of devotees flock to its hallowed grounds to witness Ramlila – a nine-day drama depicting Rama’s battle against Ravana.
Vyasa Temple
This temple built in Nagara style is dedicated to Goddess Sankata and frequently frequented by devotees in large numbers. Her four-armed idol rides a lion as her wahana or vehicle and it is said that this goddess protects and relieves followers of any sorrows or pain they might be experiencing. Additionally, there is an inbuilt well that holds miraculous powers of healing which makes this a special attraction both tourists and devotees alike.
The Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi is one of its most revered structures. Folklore suggests that anyone planning on leaving should ask permission from this fierce form of Lord Shiva before doing so. Constructed in the 16th century, its devotees believe praying here with sincerity will relieve all their worries – it’s no surprise then to find many visiting it on Tuesdays and Saturdays alike!
This temple holds special meaning as it was where Vyasa, author of Mahabharata and Rig Veda, was born. Hindus revere him as Chiranjivi or immortal for his writings that have had such an influence upon society today. Many believe visiting this temple and bathing in Ganges river helps attain moksha or liberation.
