Kasi being the
oldest city of the world and an importnt piligrimage center, it attracts large number of people from all over the world. Varnasi is famous for Hinduism, spirtualism, mysticism and indian Philosophy. these are reflected in tmples ashrams , ghats and numerous sects.
Kasi town is full of narrow lanes, and without a guide it is not possible to visit the temples. The temples look like a house and the lanes are too confusing. Kasi is very old town with lot of temples. Visiting all the temples is not possible in short stay. I am giving information about the temples which we visited.
Invaders destroyed the old Viswanadhar temple, and the present Viswanadhar temple was constructed by
Queen Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore in the
year 1776. Once again Aurangzeb destroyed the temple to replace it with
gayanvapi mosque.
However one can see the remanants of the temple in the intricate and fine artwork of the western wall of the Mosque.
Viswanadhar temple and the gyanvapi Mosque are adjacent to each other. The temple is in a narrow lane. Lot of security measures is taken and we cannot take anything inside the temple. Shopkeepers are taking care of your belongings.
- Viswanadhar temple is one of the Jyothir Lingam.
The temple is like a mandapam with four side’s door. Main deity Viswanadhar is to a side in this hall. Reason for this is, as per Akashvani information they were asked to keep camphor in the main mandapam and it would light on its own and the main deity was supposed to be installed in that place. From outside, the temple looks like a house and the gopuram (sikaram), can be viewed only from inside. The main gopuram was gold plated by Maharaja Ranjeet sing.
First we come across, darshan of Dundi Vinayakar. There are about eight Vinayakar around the temple out of which he is important.
Viswandhar Lingam is smooth black stone seated in a silver plinth. We have darshan of Avimuktheswar, Bhavani, subramanyar, and Mahakal {Bairavar}.
- Visalakshi temple
The temple is in different place. The goddess is seen in sitting posture.
Annaporna Devi temple is of marble stones. Here Goddess Annapurna has a container and in another hand she has Agappai {spoon}. We see Srichakkra Meru yantram in front of Annapoorani Devi installed by Adi Sankarar. We see Bikshadanar in silver near her.
To either sides of Annapoorani we see Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The center mandapam is in octogen shape. In front of Annapoorani we have the darshan of Sri Sathya Narayanar. Golden Annapoorani darshan is only for three days during Deevali festival.
There are two main entrances known as Dharma Dwaram and Biksha Dwaram.
- Kala Bairavar temple
The temple is in Visweswara ganj. Kalabairvar is one form of Lord Siva. Normally only the face is seen, to have the full darhan you have to pay. There are 8 bairava temples are there in Kasi. He is supposed to be Kaval deivam {protecter} of Kasi. Biravar is the person who punishes people for sins.
- Gowdi Matha temple
This is the last temple to visit in Kasi. She was supposed to be grama devata, when Kalabiravar was declard as Kaval deivam
she got annoyed with Lord Siva and Planned to take the benefits, of devotees who visit Kasi. Lord Siva was horrified and he made a deal with her. He asked her to stay at the border of Kasi town and she can take the 50% of Kasi visit benifts if they do not visit her.
Gowdi matha was cooled down and she said she will be happy with the people who offer her conch to her. There is no need to take anything other than the conch which is available near the temple. The panda {poojari} asks us to repeat, what he says. The benefit of counch is your’s and the benefits of visiting Kasi is mine.
[Bairavar][gyanavapi][Annapoorani][Viswanadhar][Bikshadanar][jyothirlingam][Bairavar][Adisankarar][srichakkra meru]
