Bankhandi Mahadev Temple Varanasi

 

The Bankhandi Mahadev is one of the popular Hindu Temple located in Ravindrapuri, Varanasi, is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built in the 18th century and is famous for its massive Shivling. The Shivling is 20 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter, making it one of the largest Shivlingas in India.

The temple was built by saints of the Udasin sect in the 18th century. The name "Bankhandi" comes from the fact that the Shivling is made from a massive piece of wood. The temple complex also has a small well called "Ganga Kund". It is said that this well is connected to the Ganges River.

The Bankhandi Mahadev Mandir is an important religious site and is considered very holy in Hinduism. The temple attracts thousands of devotees every year.

There are many religious events held at the temple throughout the year, but the most important festival is Mahashivaratri. On the day of Mahashivaratri, special pujas and rituals are held at the temple. On this day, lakhs of devotees come to the temple to have darshan of Lord Shiva.

The Bankhandi Mahadev Mandir is one of the major tourist attractions in Varanasi. The temple is located in the old part of the city and can be easily reached on foot or by auto-rickshaw.

Annapurna Temple Varanasi

 The Annapurna Devi Mandir, also known as Annapurna Mata Mandir, is a well-known Hindu temple in Varanasi, a sacred city in India. This temple is close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and holds significant religious importance in Hinduism. It is dedicated to the goddess Annapurna, a form of the goddess Parvati who symbolizes nourishment.The temple was built in 1729 A.D. by Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I.

According to a myth, there was a time when Lord Shiva referred to food as an illusion, causing Goddess Parvati to become upset. In response, she removed all the food from the Earth, leading to starvation and infertility. To alleviate the suffering of her devotees in Varanasi, the abode of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati reappeared and established a kitchen. She personally prepared and offered food to Lord Shiva, emphasizing the importance of creation and sustenance.

Another myth associated with Annapurna tells of a moment when Goddess Parvathi closed all three eyes of Lord Shiva, plunging the world into darkness. To restore balance, Lord Shiva advised her to distribute food in Varanasi. By doing so, Goddess Parvati regained her fair complexion, and this practice is believed to be followed by devotees.

The temple observes the tradition of offering food to beggars, the poor, and devotees as a form of blessing from the goddess. It is said that Goddess Annapurna is considered the Queen of Varanasi City, while Lord Shiva is regarded as the King. Devotees believe that the goddess does not consume food until all her devotees are provided for.

The temple has various names, and there are hymns like Annapurna Shatnam Stotram and Annapurna Sahastranam Stotram that list 100 and 1000 names of the goddess, respectively. These names are part of the rich tradition of naming deities in the Indian pantheon. Overall, the Annapurna Devi Mandir holds a special place in the hearts of devotees who worship the goddess for nourishment and sustenance.

Sankat Mochan Temple

Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple or Sankat Mochan temple is located in the southern part of Varanasi, At a distance of 2 km from Assi Ghat and 8 km from Varanasi Junction. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey God of Hinduism, it is one of the holy temples in Kashi and also one of the top places to visit in Varanasi. The term ‘sankatmochan’ refers to reliever of all problems.

Legend has it, that Tulsidas, the author of 'Ram Charita Manas', the Hindi version of the 'Ramayan', originally written by Valmiki in late 1500 AD, founded the temple after a vision of the Lord Hanuman at that spot. The holy text was discovered in 1623 and has been in the temple since 1701. It is written in the Awadhi dialect which is part of the eastern Hindi language family.

The devotees of the Lord Hanuman offer Prasad ( basan ke ladoo) and Sindoor on the statue to the Lord Hanuman which is sealed in the campus of the temple. They also decorate the idol of the Lord Hanuman with the flower garland. The temple of the Sankat Mochan has unique feature by having the idol of Lord Hanuman in front of his Lord Rama (whom he is always dedicated in unselfish manner).

According to Astrology, Hanuman saves human beings from the anger of the planet Shani (Saturn), and especially people who have an ill-placed Saturn in their horoscopes visit this temple for astrological remedies. This is supposed to be the most effective way for appeasing Shani. While it is suggested that Hanuman did not hesitate to engulfe in his mouth the sun, the lord of all planets, which humbled all the gods and angels, making them worship him for the Sun's release. Some astrologers believe that worshiping Hanuman can neutralize the ill-effect of Mangal (Mars) and practically any planet that has an ill effect on human life.

Apart from the everyday visitors, thousands of devotees gather here on occasions like Hanuman Jayanti. A special procession known as Shobha Yatra is also arranged which starts from Durgakund Temple. The temple also organizes 'Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh', a classical music and dance festival every year in the month of April, in which musicians and dancers from all over India take part.

How to reach?
By Air - The nearest airport is Varanasi Airport.
By Rail – Nearest railway junction is Varanasi. Well connected to all over India.
By Road - Buses ply to cities to all over India. Local travel can be done with Rickshaw or taxies.
 

Bhimashankar Jyothirlingam

Bhimashankar Temple

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is situated in the north of Pune, on the Sahayadri, by the banks of the river Bhima and 50-km north west of Khed, near Pune in Maharashtra. Bhima Shankar Temple lies on the banks of the river Bhima. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur. The other Jyotirling shrines in Maharashtra are Tryambakeshwar and Grishneshwar.

It is from here that the Bhima River flows. It is believed that Lord Shiva was pleased by the devotion of a king named Bhimak of the sun Dynasty and is called the Jyotirlinga in the place. But according to the Shiv Purana the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is situated on the Mountain Brahmapur, district Kamrup of Assam. Lord Shiva had incarnated so that he could destroy the demons and protect his devotees and for the welfare of one and all.

The Temple
The Bhimashankara temple is a composite of old and the new structures and is built in the Nagara style of architecture. It is a modest temple yet graceful temple and it dates back to mid 18th century. The shikhara of the temple was built by Nana Phadnavis. The great Maratha ruler Shivaji is also said to have made endowments to this temple to facilitate the carrying out, of worship services. As with other Shiva temples in this area, the sanctum is at a lower level.

Although the structure here is fairly new, the shrine Bhimashankaram (and the Bhimarathi river) have been referred to in literature dating back to the 13th century CE. Saint Jnaneshwar is said to have visited Tryambakeshwar and Bhimashankar.
Other temples and shrines: There is a shrine to Kamalaja near the Bhimashankara temple. Kamalaja is an incarnation of Parvati, who aided Shiva in his battle against Tripuraasura. Kamalajaa was worshipped with offerings of lotus flowers by Bhrama. Shaakini and Daakini the Shivaganas who helped Shiva in the battle against the demon are also honored and worshipped here.

The Mokshakund thirtha is located behind the Bhimashankara temple, and it is associated with the rishi Kaushika. There are also the Sarvathirtha, the Kusharanya thirtha where the Bhima river begins to flow eastward, and the Jyanakund.

Legend
There was a demon Tripurasura who did penance in the jungle of Bhimashankar very long ago i.e. in Tretayug, to please Lord Shiva in order to achieve the gift of immortality. Lord shiva, who is specially known for his kindness towards his devotees, was pleased with Tripurasura's commitment towards him. So as usual, he blessed him with the power of immortality with a condition that, "He should strive in the best interest of people, or he may be sued permanently for violating the condition."

With the flow of time, Tripurasura forgot the condition to which he was abided, and eventually started harassing people as well as other deities. There was a chaos for which all the deities approached Lord Shiva for remedy.

Thus in order to sue Tripurasura, Lord Shiv prayed to Goddess Parvati (Kamalaja Mata) in order to help him to accomplish this task. Accordingly Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati underwent a new form which is popularly known as "Ardha-Narya-Nateshwar" and killed Tripurasura on Kartik Pournima which is known as "Tripurari Pornima".

After the death of Tripurasura his wives (Dakini and Shakini) went to Lord Shiva with a question of their existence without Tripurasura. Thus Lord Shiva blessed both of them, with the power of immortality which he did to Tripurasura. Henceforth the realm Bhimashankar is known as "Dakinyam Bhimashankaram". 

How to reach Bhimashankar Temple

• By Road :Bhimashankar is situated around 260 kms from Mumbai via Pune.From Pune You have to take the road that goes to Wada to reach Bhimashankar.
  
• By Rail :The nearest Railhead is the Pune which is at a distance of 95 kilometres from Bhimashankar.
  
• By Air :The nearest airport is the Pune Airport which is at a distance of 95 kilometres from Bhimashankar.