This temple is located at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on the sangam of rivers where Varana and Assi rivers join river Ganga. Varanasi is supposed to be founded by lord Shiva 1000s of year ago. It has a lot of legends associated with it. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers. A tribe known as Kasha used to live here hence it is named as ‘Kashi’.
Kashi Puran mentions that Purusha (Man) and Prakruti (Nature) (Shiva and Shakti) were ordained by Lord Shiva to perform tapas in the universe to create best being at a specified place. Nirgun Shiva created a city called PanchaKoshi. Vishnu did tapas at this place and hence a number of water springs originated. As Lord Vishnu was admiring this, a gemstone fell from his ear. Hence this place was called ManiKarnika. All the water in this panchakoshi was gathered in his trident by Lord Shiva. Then Bramha was born on the Lotus flower from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Bramha created this world as ordained by Shiva. According to purana, this world has 50 crore Yojanas of area and 14 lokas. In order to save life of those bound by karma, Shiva kept Panchakoshi city away from the entire universe. In this city he established the MuktiDayak Jyotirlinga. Shiva removed Kashi from his trident and set it on this mortal world. So Kashi is known as Vimukta-Kshetra. The Avimukteshwar linga is in Kashi. This city is ruled by Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh according to legends. It is a belief that those who live in Kashi attain Mukti. According to another legend, the city is guarded by Dandapani and KalaBhairav. Hence it will not get destroyed during Pralay. On the banks of Ganga there are 84 bathing ghats and innumerable tirtha kundas which are supposed to exist from Vedic period.
There is also another legend associated with this place from puran. Brahma made a great tapasya at a spot in Kasi. Once Brahma recited veda in praise of Lord Shiva. He recited a stanza in a misleading and a wrong way. For this mistake Shiva sliced one of his heads. This head found a lasting place known as Brahmakunda.
Varanasi is also one of the Shakti peetha where Devi’s one of earrings fell. At this place we have the string of Devi VishalAkshi. During a long spell of famine in Kasi, Devi served food to all. At this place we have the shrine of Annapurna Devi. Mahadeva as a beggar was also a beneficiary of this food served by the Devi. Lord Shiva had to beg for alms to atone sin of Brahmahatya. Due to Brahmahatya Brahma's skull got stuck in Lord Shiva's left palm (BrahmKapala). This skull fall off when Lord Shiva received alms from Devi.
Harishchandra ghat is the place where Raja Harishchandra was posted as a slave at the smashaan (cremation place).
Varanasi was also plundered by Moguls a number of times and the shrine of Lord Vishwanath was destroyed. It was rebuilt later during the Maratha and Rajput period.
Kashi Puran mentions that Purusha (Man) and Prakruti (Nature) (Shiva and Shakti) were ordained by Lord Shiva to perform tapas in the universe to create best being at a specified place. Nirgun Shiva created a city called PanchaKoshi. Vishnu did tapas at this place and hence a number of water springs originated. As Lord Vishnu was admiring this, a gemstone fell from his ear. Hence this place was called ManiKarnika. All the water in this panchakoshi was gathered in his trident by Lord Shiva. Then Bramha was born on the Lotus flower from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Bramha created this world as ordained by Shiva. According to purana, this world has 50 crore Yojanas of area and 14 lokas. In order to save life of those bound by karma, Shiva kept Panchakoshi city away from the entire universe. In this city he established the MuktiDayak Jyotirlinga. Shiva removed Kashi from his trident and set it on this mortal world. So Kashi is known as Vimukta-Kshetra. The Avimukteshwar linga is in Kashi. This city is ruled by Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh according to legends. It is a belief that those who live in Kashi attain Mukti. According to another legend, the city is guarded by Dandapani and KalaBhairav. Hence it will not get destroyed during Pralay. On the banks of Ganga there are 84 bathing ghats and innumerable tirtha kundas which are supposed to exist from Vedic period.
There is also another legend associated with this place from puran. Brahma made a great tapasya at a spot in Kasi. Once Brahma recited veda in praise of Lord Shiva. He recited a stanza in a misleading and a wrong way. For this mistake Shiva sliced one of his heads. This head found a lasting place known as Brahmakunda.
Varanasi is also one of the Shakti peetha where Devi’s one of earrings fell. At this place we have the string of Devi VishalAkshi. During a long spell of famine in Kasi, Devi served food to all. At this place we have the shrine of Annapurna Devi. Mahadeva as a beggar was also a beneficiary of this food served by the Devi. Lord Shiva had to beg for alms to atone sin of Brahmahatya. Due to Brahmahatya Brahma's skull got stuck in Lord Shiva's left palm (BrahmKapala). This skull fall off when Lord Shiva received alms from Devi.
Harishchandra ghat is the place where Raja Harishchandra was posted as a slave at the smashaan (cremation place).
Varanasi was also plundered by Moguls a number of times and the shrine of Lord Vishwanath was destroyed. It was rebuilt later during the Maratha and Rajput period.
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