Varanasi Temples

Temples of Varanasi as referred to in Kashi Khand

A.PLACES OF WORSHIP OF LORD VINAYAK (GANESHA) IN KASHI

Lord Shiva was in Mandarachal and Kashi was ruled by a very pious and religious King named Divodas. In his Kingdom every one was very happy and there was all round prosperity. He had reached an understanding with Lord Brahma that as long as he was ruling, Devas and other celestial beings should stay away from Kashi and should not create any disturbance in Kashi.

Lord Brahma more or less agreed to it but on one condition that King Divodas should prove to be himself an excellent and able administrator and all people living in Kashi or visiting Kashi should be treated well in their religious pursuits. The King agreed to it and accordingly gave excellent governance.

Lord Shiva was very upset at being away from Kashi for a long time and he wanted to make King Divodas commit some mistake. Accordingly, he sent sixty four Yoginis to create some disturbance, but they were enthralled by the beauty and serene surroundings of Kashi which appeared to be a part of heaven. They ultimately settled down there.

When the Yoginis failed to return, Lord Shiva sent Lord Surya with instructions to create some disturbance in Kashi so as to defeat King Divodas in his resolve. Lord Surya came to Kashi and disguised himself as an astrologer, a learned scholar, a religious propagator, a businessman, a brahmin etc. But he could not find any fault with any person in Kashi or with the governance of King Divodas. Lord Surya was also very much attracted towards Kashi and the beauty of the city. Lord Surya thought, if he went back to Mandarachal without fulfilling the wishes of Lord Shiva, the latter would get angry.

Lord Surya finally decided to stay in Kashi. He said to himself, disobeying the instructions of Lord Shiva is a sin, but by staying in Kashi and undertaking religious activities, such sins will easily get cleansed. Accordingly Surya created twelve forms of himself which located themselves at various places in Kashi.

Lord Shiva then sent his Shiv Gans (attendants/servitors) who also were enthralled by the beauty of Kashi and decided to stay there. Finally Lord Shiva summoned his son, Lord Ganesha (Vinayak) with the specific mission of creating disturbances in the governance of King Divodas.

Lord Vinayak reached Kashi and disguised as an old astrologer. He made people dream certain events and visited such persons in the morning and influenced them by interpreting the dreams and their effects. He also started interpreting the planetary positions in their horoscopes in such a way which scared them. Thus he compelled many persons flee Kashi.

In due course, he gained entry into the King’s palace and managed to win the confidence of the ladies thereat. As days went by he also succeeded in impressing the Queen who told the King about the greatness of the old astrologer and suggested that the King should pay his respects to him. On getting the King’s permission, the Queen sent for the old astrologer.

The King welcomed the astrologer with all humility and the latter blessed the King as per the usual practice. The King asked the astrologer to predict the future. The astrologer after deep thought, told various things about the King and the kingdom. He also stated that starting from that very day, on the eighteenth day a Brahmin would come and give him (King) some serious advice which should be followed. After saying this the astrologer left.

In some way or the other Vinayak fulfilled his father’s wishes and settled down in Kashi in various different places in different forms.

AA. DHUNDHI VINAYAK

Vinayak Stuti.mp3

(Recitation by Pt. Nageshwara Rao of Hyderabad.

Please put on the speakers attached to your System and click on the mp3 file above).

After Vinayak paved the way for his father, Lord Shiva made a grand entry into Kashi. Lord Shiva praised Vinayak for his deeds. The latter was called Dhundhi Vinayak. All devotees who come to worship Lord Shiva in Visweshwar temple will necessarily have to come across Dhundhi Vinayak as it is the entry point and they will worship him first. A person who worships Dhundhi Vinayak daily in the morning will find all his obstacles removed. A person who merely takes the name of Dhundhi Vinayak with full devotion will be blessed with all kinds of happiness.

Devotees should worship Dhundhi Vinayak on all Tuesdays. More importance is attached to Tuesdays coinciding with Chaturthi (fourth day after Amavasya or Poornima). A person who performs pooja of Dhundhi Vinayak in the month of Magha, Chaturthi after Amavasya will be blessed by God. (Skanda Puran, Kashi Khand, Chapter 57).

Later Shiva went on describing the various forms of Vinayak spread all over Kashi.

LOCATION OF DHUNDHI VINAYAK

Dhundhi Vinayak is located at the entry point of Annapurna and Visweshwara Temple. For directions to reach this place, kindly refer to Visweshwar Temple.

TYPES OF POOJA

Dhundhi Vinayak is a huge idol of Ganesha at the above point. The place is open practically twenty four hours. Devotees may make offering of flowers or green grass to the Lord and some sweets as Bhog. Since there is heavy patrolling police and other forces, devotees may visit the place early in the morning when there is likelihood of lesser crowd.

AAA. FIFTY SIX VINAYAK TEMPLES

According to Kashi Khand, besides Dhundhi Vinayak, there are fifty six Vinayaks at the places mentioned against respective deities. Other than the fifty six Vinayaks, some devotees may have installed other Vinayak idols which are also being worshipped.

Out of the above fifty six Vinayaks, some are full fledged/stand alone temples while many are housed in the premises of other temples. A few of the Vinayaks are idols fixed in the wall or by the side of the road or in the steps of River Ghat. But local people worship these deities with all religious fervour.

There are many religious groups in Kashi which help to undertake YATRA (Religious Pilgrimage) of the fifty six places of worship of Vinayak popularly known as Chhappan Vinayak Yatra. (Chhappan in Hindi means fifty six). The yatra may take two-three days.

Wherever possible, timings of the temple etc. is given. This may apply only to Vinayaks which are located as stand alone temples or inside temple premises. In other cases, darshan / pooja by self is open practically throughout.

Lord Shiva went on to mention the other places where Vinayak established himself in Kashi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 57). Details have been compiled about fifty six places of worship dedicated to Lord Vinayak (Ganesha) and are given respectively.

ABHAY VINAYAK

Abhay Vinayak

Abhay Vinayak is located at D-17/111, Dasaswamedh Ghat inside the premises of Shooltankeshwar temple. Worshipping this Vinayak will make the devotees free from all fears. Devotees can travel almost upto this place by cycle rickshaw. Alternatively, they can have a boat ride upto Dasaswamedh Ghat and climb the steps.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open practically throughout and devotees can perform pooja by themselves. Shri Lakshmi Shankar Tiwari is available at the temple for performing any special pooja etc.

ARK VINAYAK

Ark Vinayak

Ark Vinayak is located at 2/17, near Lolark Kund. Worshipping this deity will fulfil the desires of the devotee. Special importance is for worship on Sundays. A devotee has to go past the Lolark Kund towards the Ganges river to reach Ark Vinayak. Rickshaw travel can be undertaken almost near to Lolark Kund.

TYPES OF POOJA

Though this is a stand alone temple, there is no specific pooja and local people say that devotees only worship this deity. Also there is no specific poojari attached to this place.

ASHA VINAYAK

Asha Vinayak

Asha Vinayak is located at D-3/71, Mir Ghat, Bare Hanuman Temple. This falls in the vicinity of Vishalakshi Devi Temple. All desires of the devotees will be fulfilled if they offer devout prayers to Asha Vinayak. Devotees can travel upto Dasaswamedh Vishwanath Gully by rickshaw and walk on foot to this place through Vishalakshi Gauri Temple, which is a famous landmark. Alternatively they can travel by boat upto Mir Ghat and walk up the steps and reach the place.

TYPES OF POOJA

The temple is open from 07.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. and from 04.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m. Aarties are held in the morning and evening.

AVI MUKTA VINAYAK

According to some old timers, original Avi Mukt Vinayak idol has disappeared. Now two places are claimed to house this deity. One at Gyavapi Masjid, in the wall and other inside Visweshwar (Vishwanath) temple premises besides Gauri and Vishnu. Avi Mukta Vinayak, according to Kashi Khand, removes all difficulties from the lives of devotees who stay in Avi Mukta Kshetra (Kashi).Devotees can travel upto Gyanvapi by rickshaw and walk on foot to this place.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open practically throughout and devotees can only pray. Performing pooja etc. may not be allowed.

BHIMCHANDI VINAYAK

Bhimchandi Vinayak

Bhimchandi Vinayak is located at the outskirts of Varanasi in the Panchkosi route. Worshipping Bhimchandi Vinayak will remove all fears from the devotee’s mind.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open practically throughout and devotees can perform pooja by themselves.

CHATUR DANT VINAYAK

Chatur Dant Vinayak

Chatur Dant Vinayak is located at D-49/10, Sanatan Dharm School, Nai Sarak. Just by having darshan of this Vinayak, devotees will find their obstacles disappearing. People can travel upto this place by rickshaw.

TYPES OF POOJA

The place of worship is open practically throughout and devotees can perform pooja by themselves.

CHINTAMANI VINAYAK

Chintamani Vinayak

Chintamani Vinayak is located at K-56/42, East of Ishwar Gangi Talab, Babu Bazar. By worshipping Chintamani Vinayak, the devotees will attain whatever good things they desire. Devotees can travel upto this place by cycle rickshaw, through Laburabir. Ishwar Gangi Talab is a famous place.