Kashi Vishwanth Temple Varanasi

• his city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world. A simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India. Tradition has it that the merits earned by the darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in various parts of India accrue to devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu mind, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living embodinent of our timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values. The Temple has been visited by all great saints- Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual personalities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple attracts visitors not only from India but abroad as well and thereby symbolises man's desire to live in peace snd harmony with one another. Vishwanath being a supreme repository of this spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling at the national as well as global levels. On January 28, 1983 the Temple was taken over by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and it's management ever since stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with Divisional Commissioner as Chairman. The Temple in the present shape was built way back in 1780 by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In the year 1785 a Naubatkhana was built up in front of the Temple by the then Collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor General Warren Hastings. In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Third dome but was remained uncovered, Ministry of cultures & Religious affairs of U.P. Govt. took keen interest for gold plating of third dome of Temple.

    RITUALS

• The Temple opens daily at 2.30a.m. in Mangala Aarati 3 to 4 a.m. ticket holders are permitted to join. From 4 to 11 a.m. general Darshan is allowed. 11.30 to 12 a.m. mid day Bhog Aarati is done. Again 12 noon to 7 p.m. devotees are free to have darshan. From 7 to 8.30 p.m. evening Sapta Rishi Aarati is done after which darshan is again possible uptill 9 p.m. when Shringar/Bhog Aarati starts. After 9 p.m. Darshan from out side only is possible. Shayana Aarti starts at 10.30p.m.The Temple closes at 11p.m.

• Most of the Prasad,milk,clothes and other such offerings are given to the poors.

• Contribution in cash or kind towards development or specific purposes are accepted giving due thought and a receipt thereof is issued and the donation is used for the desired seva. Devotees are requested to record complaint/suggestions,if any,on the complaint/suggestion book at the counter. Matters requiring quick action can be brought to the notice of the Chief Executive Officer directly. All donation Cheques/Drafts be drawn in the name "Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Fund" and sent at the address below-

ARTI-DARSHAN   

TEMPLE	MANGLA	BHOG	SANDHYA	SRINGAR	SHAYAN
SRI VISHWANATH JI	3.00A.M.	1.30NOON	7.00P.M.	9.00P.M.	10.30P.M.
SRI ANNAPURNA JI	4.00A.M.	11.30NOON	7.00P.M.		10.00P.M.
SRI KALBHAIRO JI	5.00A.M.	01.30NOON	8.00P.M.		12.00P.M.
SRI SANKATHA JI	4.30/6.30A.M.	02.30NOON		11.00P.M.	11.00P.M.
SRI DURGA JI(DURGA KUNDA)	5.00A.M.		7.00P.M.		11.00P.M.
SRI SANKAT MOCHAN	4.30A.M.	12.00NOON	3.00P.M.	8.00P.M.	10.30P.M.

About Famous Durga Mandir in Varanasi

The Durga temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is located in the southern part of Varanasicity. Brahmacharini Durga Temple is located near to Durga Ghat (Durga Kund) on the banks of the holy Ganges River in Varanasi. The prime deity is the Goddess Durga and is an imposing structure of Devi. The temple, built in 18th century by a Bengali Maharani, is one of the most revered temples in Varanasi. The temple was constructed with many storied Shikhara, placed one over the other. The temple structure is imposing and offers a spiritual ambiance to the environment.

The famous Durga Ghat is located nearby. The Ghat, built in 1772 by a saintly person known as Narayana Diksit, is one of the most well known Ghats in Varanasi. A small temple dedicated to Kharva Narsimha is also located nearby.

The Durga Mandir (Temple) is situated in Ramnagar of Banaras (or Varanasi). It is believed that it was built 500 years ago which is under control of royal family of Banaras State currently. This temple is devoted to Hindu deity Durga. The temple has a large stone built pond with it. The Durga Mandir boasts of its fine stone works, which is a fabulous example of north Indian stone work arts.

There is another Durga temple, within the Varanasi city, built in the 18th century overlooking a pond known as Durga Kund.

Durga temple is one of the famous temple of varanasi. It is about 5km from varanasi railway station and about 1 km from BHU.

Story of Durga temple - Varanasi Once upon a time there lived a king of Ayodhya, named Dhriva sandhi. He had two wives named Manorama and Lilavathi. The son of the elder wife, Manorama was Sudarsana. The son of the younger wife was Satrijith. Satrijit was more active than Sudarsana. Both of them were getting their education. One day, the king went for hunting and was kílled by a lion. The ministers decided to make Sudarsana as the king. But, Yathajith, the father of Lilavathi opposed it. He kílled the father of Manorama and prepared to kíll Sudarsana too. Manorama left the kingdom with her child. She approached the Rishi Bharadwaja, at Trikutaadri, to save her child. Bharadwaja accepted and gave place to them in his ashram. Yathajith knew this and stopped for a while as he was afraid of Bharadwaja. One day when he was playing with his friends, Sudarsana heard a word Kleeba, which means impotent. By the childish character he uttered that word again and again. Gradually the word Kleeba became Kleem in his mouth. He was chanting the word Kleem day and night. He didn’t know that Kleem was the Kama beejakshara. Rishi Bharadwaja observed it and trained him in the worship of the Vaishnavi (A Goddess worshiped by Kama beejakshara). Sudarsana grew up. He learned all the education required for a king, from Rishi Bharadwaja. Goddess Vaishnavi appeared before him. She gave him Mystic Bow and arrows. The person who uses them becomes undefeated in the battle field. The Kama beejakshara japa made him handsome and strong. Sasikala was the daughter of Subahu, the king of Kasi. She heard about Sudarsana and fell in love with him. One night, Goddess Vaishnavi appeared in dream and told her to marry Sudarsana. Subahu didn’t know about this. He announced Swayamvara(Selection of her husband by a princess). Sasikala told her father that she would marry none other than Sudarsana. She sent a Brahmin and invited Sudarsana, to come to that Swayamvara.Goddess Vaishnavi told Sudarsana to go to that Swayamvara.. Rishi Bharadwaja blessed him and sent to the Swayamvara with Manorama. Yathajith came to the Swayamvara with his grand son Satrijith. He told to all the kings that if Sasikala selects Sudarsana as her husband he will kíll Sudarsana and marry her with his grand son. This was known to Subahu, and he tried to change the mind of his daughter. Sasikala refused and told that Goddess Vaishnavi would protect them. Subahu thought about his daughter, keeping belief of the Goddess Vaishnavi he married Sasikala with Sudarsana secretly on that night itself. By the next day all the kings came to know about the marriage of Sasikala. Subahu prąyed all the kings to forgive him for the inconvenience caused to them. Sudarshana also said to the kings that it was the words said by Vaishnavi devi that brought him there. He also said that he had no enemity with any of them, every thing was under the control of his maa Vishnavi devi. Many of the kings got convinced. But, Yathajith decided to kíll Sudarsana. He kept his army in the border of Kasi. Sudarsana started to go to Bharadwaja ashram with his mother and wife. Subahu followed them with his army to protect them. Yathajith and Satrijith opposed them. A battle started between them .Sudarshana was just defending and didn’t try to kíll any of them. Goddess Durga appeared before them in the sky on her simhavaahana. She kílled Yathajith and Satrijith. Their entire army was frightened by the victory of Sudarsana and left battle field. Sudarsana told to Subahu that Goddess Durga came to protect them. Subahu prąyed Goddess Durga a lot. She asked him to take a boon from her. Subahu asked her to stay in Kasi and protect them. She accepted and appeared on the bank of Durga kundam. Subahu built a temple for her. Sudarsana went to Ayodhya as ordered by the Goddess Durga. He built a temple of Goddess Vaishnavi in Ayodhya and ruled like Sri Rama.

The Famous Temple of Lord Hanuman

Location:	At Sankat Mochan Gali, Varanasi
Dedicated to:	Lord Hanuman
Significance:	An Ancient Temple
How to reach:	One can easily reach Sankat Mochan Temple by taking local Buses, Rickshaws or by hiring Taxis from Varanasi

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Sankat Mochan Temple is one amongst the most visited shrines of Varanasi, the holy city of India. Located at Sankat Mochan Gali (Street) in the southern part of Varanasi, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir is highly revered by the followers of Hinduism. The temple can be reached easily by the means of local transport in the city of Varanasi. Sankat Mochan is the other name of Lord Hanuman; consequently the temple is dedicated to him.

The term 'Sankat Mochan' suggests "deliverer from troubles". According to the Hindu beliefs, Lord Hanuman is provider of courage, intellect and knowledge. Lord Hanuman is also believed to the eradicator of all worries and tensions. Sankat Mochan Temple was established by Tulsidas, the legendary author of 'The Tulsi Ramayana' (the Hindi version of epic "The Ramcharitmanas"). It is regarded that regular 'puja' (worship) of Lord Hanuman at this temple, brings good luck to the devotee.

People visit this temple in large numbers on Tuesdays and Saturdays to pay their homage to the Lord Hanuman. Since countless years, devotees come here to seek the blessings of the Lord. People apply "Sindoor" (vermilion) on the statue of Lord Hanuman and offer "Laddoos" in the offering. Devotees recite hymns of "Hanuman Chalisa ", "Kishkindha" and "Sundar Kand" as a due part of their prayers.

As per the Vedic Astrology, Lord Hanuman defends and liberates human being from the wicked effects of 'Shani' (Planet Saturn). All those, who have ill-placed Saturn in their horoscope, should offer homage at this temple to get relief from the distress. In the earlier times, the temple was very small in its size. Later, the temple complex was extended attributable to the kind donations made by the devotees.

Festival
On the day of 'Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi", special prayers are made to the Lord. The temple observes an annual festival on the full moon night of the month of 'Chaitra', which is also known as Hanuman Jayanti. At this juncture, a procession is taken out in the streets of Varanasi. The festival too, attracts plenty of visitors to Sankat Mochan Temple.