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Kashi Kshetra - Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga - Varanasi Shakti Peetha - Moksha Puri (Kashi) - Pilgrimages and Temples


• Meditation:

► Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga: I meditate on Lord Shiva creating the city of Kashi and abiding there as Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga.
► Varanasi Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Varanasi Shakti Peetha where the Kundala (Ear-Ring) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Vishalakshi and the Bhairava is called Kalabhairava.


• Greatness:

Kashi Kshetra - Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga - Varanasi Shakti Peetha - Moksha Puri (Kashi):

Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Kashi, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh Devi Vishalakshi, Kashi, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh Lotus Feet of Devi Kashi (Varanasi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh):
▬ River Ganga flows (Aarti)
▬ River Varana flows
▬ River Asi flows

◍ Temples:
• Shiva: Vishwanath, Avimukteshwara, Omkareshwara, Trilochana, Vireshwara
• Bhairava: Kala Bhairava
• Others: Dandapani
• Ganesha: Dhundiraj Vinayaka
• Devi: Vishalakshi, Annapoorna, Vishwabahu, Sankata Devi, Siddheshwari
• Vishnu: Bindu Madhava
• Surya: Lolark Kunda
• Saints: Trailanga Swami

◍ Greatness:

1. Attributes:
• Moksha Puri: Kashi is one of the seven Moksha Puris.
• Jyotirlinga: Kashi Vishwanath is identified with the Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga.
• Shakti Peetha: Kashi Vishalakshi is identified with the Varanasi Shakti Peetha.
• Speciality of Kashi:
- Lord Shiva gives Moksha to anyone dying in Kashi by uttering the Taraka Mantra in their ear. (Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
- Lord Shiva holds Kashi on his trident during dissolution (and Kashi does not get destroyed). (Shiva Purana)

2. Presence of Lord Shiva in Kashi (from Shiva Purana):
• Kashi Vishwanath is identified with the Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva created Kashi and abided there as Jyotirlinga. (Vishwanath Temple)

3. Presence of Lord Shiva and other Deities in Kashi (from Kashi Khanda):
(1) Creation of Kashi. (Varanasi)
(2) Creation of Manikarnika in Kashi. (Manikarnika Ghat)
(3) Advent of river Ganga in Kashi. (River Ganga Ghats)
(4) Creation of Kalabhairava in Kashi. (Kalabhairava Temple)
(5) Appearance of Dandapani in Kashi. (Dandapani Temple)
(6) Creation of Jnanavapi (Jnanoda Tirtha) in Kashi. (Jnanavapi Well)
(7) Creation of Avimukteshwara Linga in Kashi. (Avimukteshwara Linga)
(8) Appearance of 64 Yoginis in Kashi. (Yogini Temple)
(9) Appearance of 12 Adityas in Kashi. (Lolark Kund)
(10) Appearance of Lord Brahma in Kashi.
(11) Appearance of Shiva Ganas in Kashi.
(12) Appearance of 56 Vinayakas in Kashi. (Dhundiraj Vinayak Temple)
(13) Appearance of Panchaganga in Kashi.
(14) Appearance of Lord Vishnu in Kashi. (Bindu Madhav Temple)
(15) Lord Shiva returning from Mandara mountain to Kashi.
(16) Various Shiva Lingas in Kashi. (Various famous Shiva Lingas)
(17) Establishment of Devis in Kashi. (Devi Vishalakshi) (Devi Vishwabahu)
(18) Establishment of 8 Bhairavas in Kashi.
(19) Establishment of 64 Vetalas in Kashi.

4. Presence of Devi in Kashi:
• Kashi Vishalakshi is identified with the Varanasi Shakti Peetha. (Devi Vishalakshi Temple)
- Where the Kundala (Ear-Ring) of Devi had fallen here.
- The Devi is known as Vishalakshi and the Bhairava is called Kalabhairava.
• Kashi Vishalakshi is identified with the Varanasi Shakti Peetha. (Devi Vishalakshi Temple)
• Establishment of Devis in Kashi. (Devi Vishalakshi Temple) (Devi Vishwabahu Temple)
• Annapoorna Stotram of Adi Shankara. (Devi Annapoorna Temple)

◍ Sages:
• Sage Agastya had an ashrama in Kashi.
• Sage Agnibindu worshipped Lord Vishnu in Kashi (Bindu Madhava).
• Sage Jaigishavya worshipped Lord Shiva in Kashi (Jaigishavyeshwara Linga).

◍ Saints:
• Sri Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE) lived in Kashi.
• Baba Lokenath (1730 - 1890 CE) lived in Kashi for sometime with Sri Trailanga Swami.

◍ Puranic References:
• Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda (About the greatness of Kashi)
• Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 22 to 23 (About Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga)
• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 30 (About Varanasi Shakti Peetha)
• Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka
• Vishwanathashtakam (Vishwanath Temple)
• Kalabhairava Ashtakam (Kalabhairava Temple)
• Annapoorna Stotram (Devi Annapoorna Temple)


• Places to See:

Temples of Lord Shiva in Kashi (from Shiva Purana):
• Kashi Vishwanath is identified with the Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga. (Vishwanath Temple)
Kashi, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh ► Vishwanath Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Vishwanath Temple of Kashi is identified with the Vishwanath Jyotirlinga mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The Avimukteshwar Linga is also present within the Vishwanath Temple and is mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The Vishwanath Temple is located near the Lalita Ghat of Varanasi.


Temples of Lord Shiva and other Deities in Kashi (from Kashi Khanda):
(1) Creation of Kashi. (Varanasi)
Kashi (Varanasi) ► Varanasi (Kashi) (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Kashi is identified with Varanasi in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.
(2) Creation of Manikarnika in Kashi. (Manikarnika Ghat)
Kashi Manikarnika Ghat ► Manikarnika Ghat and Chakrapushkarini (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Manikarnika Ghat is present in Kashi. The Chakrapushkarini is present in the Manikarnika Ghat.
(3) Advent of river Ganga in Kashi. (River Ganga Ghats)
► River Ganga Ghats (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Devi Ganga Ganga Aarti, Kashi, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh The list of Ghats of river Ganga in Kashi are given below:

Some of the famous Ghats are:
• Asi Ghat
• Harishchandra Ghat
• Dashashwamedh Ghat
• Manikarnika Ghat
• Panchganga Ghat

- Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located near the Lalita Ghat.
- The famous Ganga Aarti is held in Dashashwamedh Ghat.
  1. Ravidas Ghat
  2. Asi Ghat
  3. Ganga Mahal Ghat 1
  4. Reewa Ghat
  5. Tulsi Ghat
  6. Bhadaini Ghat
  7. Janaki Ghat
  8. Mata Anandamayi Ghat
  9. Vaccharaja Ghat
  10. Jain Ghat

  11. Nishadraj Ghat
  12. Panchakot Ghat
  13. Prabhu Ghat
  14. Chet Singh Ghat
  15. Niranjani Ghat
  16. Mahanirvani Ghat
  17. Shivala Ghat
  18. Gularia Ghat
  19. Dandi Ghat
  20. Hanuman Ghat

  21. Karnataka Ghat
  22. Harishchandra Ghat
  23. Lali Ghat
  24. Vijaynagar Ghat
  25. Kedar Ghat: The Kedareshwar Temple is near this ghat.
  26. Chauki Ghat
  27. Kshemeshwar Ghat
  28. Mansarovar Ghat
  29. Narad Ghat
  30. Raja Ghat

  31. Pandey Ghat
  32. Digpatia Ghat
  33. Chausatthi Ghat
  34. Rana Mahal Ghat
  35. Darbhanga Ghat
  36. Munshi Ghat
  37. Ahilyabai Ghat
  38. Shitala Ghat
  39. Dashashwamedh Ghat: The famous Ganga Arati of Kashi is performed in the Dashashwamedh Ghat every evening.
  40. Prayag Ghat

  41. Rajendra Prasad Ghat
  42. Manmahal Ghat
  43. Varahi Ghat
  44. Tripura Bhairavi Ghat
  45. Meer Ghat: Dharmeshwar Temple (with the Dharmeshwar Linga and Dharmakoop within it) is near this ghat.
  46. Lalita Ghat: Vishwanath Temple (with Vishwanath and Avimukteshwar Lingas) is near this ghat.
  47. Jalshayi Ghat
  48. Manikarnika Ghat: Manikarnikeshwar Temple is quite close to this ghat.
  49. Scindia Ghat: Siddheswari Temple (with the Chandreshwar Linga and Chandrakoop within it) and Vireshwar Temple (with the Vireshwar Linga and Vishwakarmeshwar Linga) is near this ghat.
  50. Sankata Ghat

  51. Ganga Mahal Ghat 2
  52. Bhonsale Ghat
  53. Agnishwar Ghat
  54. Ganesh Ghat
  55. Mehta Ghat
  56. Ram Ghat
  57. Jatar Ghat
  58. Gwalior Ghat
  59. Balaji Ghat
  60. Panchganga Ghat

  61. Durga Ghat
  62. Brahma Ghat
  63. Bundiparkota Ghat
  64. Shitala Ghat
  65. Lal Ghat
  66. Hanumangadhi Ghat
  67. Gaay Ghat
  68. Badrinarayan Ghat
  69. Trilochan Ghat: Trilochan Temple and Mahadev Temple is near this ghat.
  70. Gola Ghat

  71. Nandishwar Ghat
  72. Sakka Ghat
  73. Teliyanala Ghat
  74. Naya Ghat
  75. Prahlad Ghat: Kameshwar Temple is quite close to this ghat.
  76. Nishadraj Ghat
  77. Rani Ghat
  78. Raj Ghat
  79. Khidkiya Ghat
  80. Adikeshava Ghat
(4) Creation of Kalabhairava in Kashi. (Kalabhairava Temple)
Kashi Kalabhairava Temple ► Kalabhairava Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Kalabhairava Temple is present in Varanasi. Sri Kalabhairava is considered as the Kotwal of Kashi. Sri Kalabhairava Temple is located in Vishweshwarganj area, around 1 km from Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
(5) Appearance of Dandapani in Kashi. (Dandapani Temple)
► Dandapani Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Dandapani Temple is present in Varanasi.
(6) Creation of Jnanavapi (Jnanoda Tirtha) in Kashi. (Jnanavapi Well)
► Jnanavapi Well (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
The Jnanavapi Well is present near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
(7) Creation of Avimukteshwara Linga in Kashi. (Avimukteshwara Linga)
► Avimukteshwara Linga (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
The Avimukteshwara Linga is located within the Kashi Vishwanath Temple near the Lalita Ghat.
(8) Appearance of 64 Yoginis in Kashi. (Yogini Temple)
Yogini Temple (Chausatthi Ghat), Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh Yogini Temple (Chausatthi Ghat), Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh ► Yogini Temple (Chausatthi Ghat) (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
The Yogini Temple is located near the Chausatthi Ghat of Kashi.
(9) Appearance of 12 Adityas in Kashi. (Lolark Kund)
Kashi Lolark Kund ► Lolark Kund (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Lolark Kund is located near Tulsi Ghat.
(10) Appearance of Lord Brahma in Kashi.
(11) Appearance of Shiva Ganas in Kashi.
(12) Appearance of 56 Vinayakas in Kashi. (Dhundiraj Vinayak Temple)
Dhundiraj Vinayak Temple ► Dhundiraj Vinayak Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
The Dhundiraj Vinayak Temple is located close to Meer Ghat near Devi Annapoorna Temple.
(13) Appearance of Panchaganga in Kashi.
(14) Appearance of Lord Vishnu in Kashi. (Bindu Madhav Temple)
Bindu Madhav Temple ► Bindu Madhav Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
The Bindu Madhav Temple is located near the Panchaganga Ghat of Kashi.
(15) Lord Shiva returning from Mandara mountain to Kashi.
(16) Various Shiva Lingas in Kashi. (Various famous Shiva Lingas)
► Adi Mahadev Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Adi Mahadev Temple is located near Trilochan Ghat behind the Trilochan Temple.
► Avimukteshwara Linga (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
The Avimukteshwara Linga is located within the Kashi Vishwanath Temple near the Lalita Ghat.
► Chandreshwar Temple (with Chandrakoop) (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Chandreshwar Temple is located within Siddheshwari Temple near Schindia Ghat.
► Dharmeshwar Temple (with Dharmakoop) (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Dharmeshwar Temple is located near Meer Ghat.
► Kameshwar Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Kameshwar and Durvaseshwar Lingas are located north of Trilochan quite close to Prahlad Ghat which is after Macchodari.
► Kedareshwar Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Kedareshwar Temple is located near Kedar Ghat.
► Krittivasheshwar Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Krittivasheshwar Temple is located in Daranagar area, between Vishwanath and Mahamrityunjay Temples.
► Manikarnikeshwar Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Manikarnikeshwar Temple is located in Ghasi Tola quite close to Manikarnika Ghat.
► Omkareshwar Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Omkareshwar Temple is located near Matsyodari or Macchodari area.
► Ratneshwar Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Ratneshwar Temple is located in Vishweshwarganj on the road leading to the Mahamrityunjay Temple.
► Trilochan Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Trilochan Temple is located near Trilochan Ghat.
► Vireshwar Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Vireshwar Temple is located near Schindia Ghat.
► Vishwakarmeshwar Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Vishwakarmeshwar Linga is located within the Vireshwar Temple near Schindia Ghat.
Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh ► Vishweshwar Temple (Vishwanath) (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Vishweshwar or Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is located within the Kashi Vishwanath Temple near Lalita Ghat.
(17) Establishment of Devis in Kashi. (Devi Vishalakshi Temple) (Devi Vishwabahu Temple)
See under "Presence of Devi in Kashi"
(18) Establishment of 8 Bhairavas in Kashi.
(19) Establishment of 64 Vetalas in Kashi.


Temples of Devi in Kashi:
• Kashi Vishalakshi is identified with the Varanasi Shakti Peetha. (Devi Vishalakshi Temple)
Kashi Vishalakshi, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh ► Devi Vishalakshi (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Devi Vishalakshi Temple of Varanasi is identified with the Varanasi Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra. The Vishalakshi Temple is located near the Meer Ghat.
• Establishment of Devis in Kashi. (Devi Vishalakshi Temple) (Devi Vishwabahu Temple)
Kashi Vishalakshi, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh ► Devi Vishalakshi (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Devi Vishalakshi Temple of Varanasi is identified with the Varanasi Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra. The Vishalakshi Temple is located near the Meer Ghat.
Kashi Vishwabahu, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh ► Devi Vishwabahu (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Devi Vishwabahu is identified with Devi Vishwabhuja mentioned in Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda. Devi Vishwabahu shrine is present within the Kashi Dharmeshwar Temple premises near Meer Ghat.
• Annapoorna Stotram of Adi Shankara. (Devi Annapoorna Temple)
Kashi Annapoorna, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh ► Devi Annapoorna Temple (Kashi) (Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Devi Annapoorna is the Goddess of Food. The Annapoorna Temple is located near Meer Ghat of Kashi.


Temples of Sages in Kashi:
• Sage Agastya had an ashrama in Kashi.
• Sage Agnibindu worshipped Lord Vishnu in Kashi (Bindu Madhava).
• Sage Jaigishavya worshipped Lord Shiva in Kashi (Jaigishavyeshwara Linga).


Temples of Saints in Kashi:
• Sri Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE) lived in Kashi.
• Baba Lokenath (1730 - 1890 CE) lived in Kashi for sometime with Sri Trailanga Swami.


• Location:

• Kashi is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

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