Kasi visvanath

 

Nestled in the heart of Varanasi, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple stands as a beacon of spirituality and devotion, drawing millions of pilgrims from around the world. As you approach this sacred site, the air is thick with history, devotion, and the unmistakable presence of Lord Shiva. His divine energy resonates through the very stones of the temple, filling the surroundings with a sense of peace and reverence. Known as the lord of destruction and regeneration, Shiva embodies the perfect balance of creation and destruction, both fierce and compassionate.

In Varanasi, this energy is palpably felt. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is not just a physical structure, but a living symbol of Shiva's eternal power. For millions, it is believed that by visiting this holy site and offering prayers to the sacred Shivling, one can attain liberation (moksha) from the cycle of life and death. The temple's presence is a constant reminder of Shiva’s grace and transformative energy—an embodiment of cosmic forces that govern the universe.

The temple, originally built in ancient times, has witnessed destruction, renovation, and rebirth. It is said to be the place where Lord Shiva resides in his most sacred form – the Shivling. While the exact age of the original temple is a subject of debate, it has been a major center of worship for over 2000 years.

The Divine Bargain

One of the most captivating legends tells of how Shiva and Parvati made Kashi their home. It’s said that when Shiva first arrived here, he was so enchanted by its spiritual energy that he refused to leave. The gods, fearing that his presence would make humans too powerful (since Kashi grants instant liberation), tried to persuade Mahadev to return to Mount Kailash. But Shiva compromised—he would stay in Kashi as Vishwanath (Lord of the Universe), while his cosmic form remained in the Himalayas.

The Hidden Jyotirlinga

Another tale speaks of how the original Jyotirlinga was hidden in the Gyanvapi well to protect it from invaders. Even today, devotees believe that the true power of Kashi Vishwanath lies not just in the visible lingam, but in the sacred waters of Gyanvapi, where Shiva’s energy still resides.

The History of Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Destruction, Devotion, and Rebirth

Kashi Vishwanath’s history is a testament to resilience—a story of repeated destruction and unshakable faith.

The Repeated Attacks

In 1194 CE, the original temple was destroyed by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the general of Muhammad Ghori. In 1669 CE, Aurangzeb razed the rebuilt temple and constructed the Gyanvapi Mosque over its remains. Yet, each time the temple was destroyed, devotees secretly continued worship—sometimes offering prayers to a hidden lingam, sometimes whispering Shiva’s name in the shadows

Then in 1585 CE, Raja Todar Mal, Akbar’s Hindu finance minister, rebuilt the temple during a brief period of religious tolerance. Later, in 1780 CE, the indomitable Ahilyabai Holkar, queen of Indore, constructed the current temple adjacent to the mosque, ensuring that Shiva’s worshipwould never fade.

Bhima Shankar pune

 

About Bhimshankar Temple

At a distance of 111 Km from Pune, 124 Km from Lonavala, 210 Km from Nashik, and 224 Km from Mumbai, Bhimashankar Temple is an ancient pilgrimage center located near Karjat in the Ghat region of Sahyadri hills in Maharashtra. This is one of the top pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra, and also one of the best places to visit near Pune. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is considered one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India, and one among the five Jyotirlinga temples in Maharashtra.. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Vaidyanath near Parli, Trimbakeshwara near Nashik, Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, and Aundha Nagnath Temple in Hingoli. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur.

History of Bhimshankar Temple

The origins of the temple's construction remain unclear, yet scholars and historical texts suggest that it was established in the early 13th century. In 1437 AD, a trader from Pune named Chimaji Antanji Nayik Bhinde added a court hall to the temple. Subsequent renovations occurred during the 18th century under Maratha rule. Notably, Nana Phadnavis, a prominent figure during the Peshwa period, is credited with the construction of the Sabhamandap and the Shikhara. Additionally, the esteemed Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji contributed to the Bhimshankar temple to support its daily rituals and ceremonies. 

Raghunathrao Peshwa also constructed a well within the temple complex. Furthermore, Chimaji Appa, the brother of Bajirao I, donated a large bell that can be seen at the temple's entrance. This bell is one of several taken from a Portuguese church, which Chimaji and his forces captured as trophies after their victory over the Portuguese at the Battle of Bacaim in 1739. The Maharashtra state government has designated the temple area as the Bhimshankar Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Currently, the Bhimshankar temple is managed by the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra Government.

Mythology of Bhimshankar Temple

There are many stories associated with the Bhimshankar Temple that find mention in Hindu mythological literature. One such narrative recounts that during the Treta Yuga, Kumbhkaran, the sibling of the asura king Ravana, had a son named Bhima. Driven by a desire for vengeance against Lord Rama for his father's demise, Bhima engaged in intense penance, worshipping Lord Brahma, the creator deity, and ultimately received a boon granting him immense power. However, this newfound strength led to Bhima's arrogance, prompting him to threaten King Kamarupehsvar, demanding that he cease his worship of Lord Shiva. When the king refused, Bhima imprisoned him, yet the king continued his devotion, even crafting a Shivlinga within his cell. Overcome by his own might, Bhima attempted to destroy the Shivlinga with his sword, but Lord Shiva intervened, vanquishing him. Following this event, the deities gathered and implored Shiva to remain at the site as a Jyotirlinga, which became known as Bhimshankar Jyotirlinga. Additionally, the perspiration shed by Lord Shiva during the confrontation transformed into the Bhima River.

Another tale tells of a demon named Tripurasura, who began tormenting innocent individuals after receiving a boon of immortality from Shiva. To eliminate this threat, Shiva enlisted the help of his wife, Paravati, and together, in the form of Ardhanarishvara, they defeated the demon, restoring harmony to the land. This shrine was established in commemoration of that event.

Guddattu Vinayaka temple Mangalore

 

VinayakaThis small but 800 years old Guddattu Vinayaka temple is about 10 km off NH-66 (formerly NH-17) and about 90 km away from Mangalore town. Located right below a giant granite rock that looks like a sleeping elephant, the main idol of Lord Vinayaka is believed to have emerged itself and not manually installed.

Guddattu Vinayaka Temple is popular for a service called ‘Ayarkoda’ (Thousand Pot ritual). A ritual that involves draining the Garbha Gruha, then pouring (Abhisheka) thousand of pots of water from the holy temple well on to the idol, till water over flows from the Garba Gruha located inside the cave. This ritual is believed to bring good luck to devotees. So popular and demanding is the service that the temple calendar is full for next few years

Lingaraj temple bhuvaneswar

 

Lingaraj Temple, built in 11th century, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered as the largest temple of the city. Built by king Jajati Keshari of Soma Vansh, the main tower of this temple measures 180-feet in height. It is built in red stone and is a classic example of Kalinga style of architecture.

the spacious courtyard of the magnificent shrine comprises 50 small temples that are dedicated to several Gods of the Hindu pantheon. In the sanctum sanctorum, the linga of Lord Shiva is regarded as 'Swayambhu' (self-originated) and worshipped as both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It is said that when construction of Lingaraj Temple was about to be completed, Jagannath culture started growing in Odisha. Hence, the presiding deity here is known as Hari-Hara; Hari denotes Lord Vishnu and Hara meaning Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga in the sanctum of the temple rises to a height of 8 inches above the floor level, and is 8 feet in diameter.

Kedarnath uttarakhand

 

One of the most important Shiva temples sits in Kedarnath at a height of 3583 m above sea level, and is also a part of the auspicious Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand. The temple remains open from April till November, and receives heavy snowfall during the winter months