• Shiva

Kedareshwar Temple

Overview


Kedareshwar temple is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated in close proximity to the banks of River Ganga, north of the Kedar Ghat. The stone Shiva lingam found in this temple is believed to have appeared naturally on its own (suyambu). Visiting this temple is considered equivalent to visiting the great Kedareshvara Temple at Himalayas. According to Legends, a staunch Shiva bhakth is said to have prayed the Lord to grant him a chance to visit the famous Kedareshvara temple in the Himalayas. The lord who was moved by his devotion, decided to create a lingam for the devotee instead of sending him to the Kedareshwar temple at Himalayas. This lingam is said to have emerged out of a plate of rice and lentils. It is this lingam that is seen today in his temple, on the rough surface of a natural stone.


Legend And Stories


Goddess Paarvathi had once asked Lord Shiva to explain about the holy city of Kasi. Lord Shiva was all praise of the place saying that it washes away the sins of people visiting it. He also told that the only exception is Shivaparadha (Opposing Shiva). This Devi Parvathi prayed the lord to tell a remedy, so that her children could be protected from it. Lord Shiva rejected her plea. Hence the Devi left Kailasha and went to the holy city of Kasi to undertake a tough penance. After a very long time, her Karna kundala (Jewel of the ear ring) fell down which is said to have created the famous Manikarnika teertha. Thai Theertha is believed to have formed even before the Manikarnika teertha created by Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva is said to have later accepted her prayers.

The prachina Manikarnika is at Kedar ghat.Taking a dip in prachina Manikarnika renders the devotee free of all his/her sins including Shivaparaadha which is not removed by entering in to Kasi.


Why kedareshwar came to kasi


According to a myth, Rishi Mandhata is believed to have worshiped Lord Kedareshwar at Kedarnath. The lord who was pleased by his devotion, is said to have appeared before him and asked his to make a wish. Mandhata is said to have requested the Lord to grace him in his Linga form. Lord Shiva refused his wish and explained him the reason for doing so.

Once upon a time, Lord Shiva is said to have beheaded the fifth head of Brahma over an issue. Many deities including Lord Vishnu had prayed Lord Shiva to bring Brahma back to life. Heeding to their prayers, the dear Lord is said to have brought Brahma to life, who on the other hand requested the Lord to grace him in the form of Linga. Brahma believed that worshiping the Lord in his sacred Linga form would wash away all the sins committed by him in his previous births. But Lord Shiva refused to do so, since he had taken an oath to not grace in his Linga form. He suggested Brahma to visit the holy city of Kasi and perform ten Aswamedha yagas, so that his sin can be cleared. The obedient Brahma did as instructed and worshipped the Lord at the Dasaswamedh ghat.

Thus Lord Shiva ordered Rishi Mandhata too to worship him at Varanasi to see his Linga darshan. The Rishi is said to have travelled to Varanasi and again started worshipping Lord Shiva there.

Rishi Mandhata strictly followed the Atithi puja and took takes his lunch only after offering an Atithi(guest). He visited Kedarnath daily to worship the lord, through his Tapas-shakti. One day, few divine Rishis appeared before Mandhata and expressed their wish to visit Kedarnath along with him. Mandhata Rishi was very much pleased and accepted to take them. But he still had his routine pooja to complete on that day and thus requested the Rishis to wait for a while. Rishi Mandata then prepared a Naivedya, mixing Rice with purified green gram. At that moment, a Bhikshu is said to have come for getting some food as Biksha. Mandhata immediately separated the Naivedya into two parts. He kept one part of it for offering the god and the other part as a Bhiksha. The Rishi then went to bring some water for the Bhikshu to drink and on returning back, he found that the separated parts of the rice mixture got somehow mixed up. Mandhata rishi couldn't differentiate which part he had kept as a neividhya for the lord and thus became so confused and worried about it. Meanwhile, the Bikshu and the other Rishis who were waiting for him were in fact hurrying him to get ready soon. The poor Rishi is said to have cried to the lord asking him to resolve the problem. At that moment, the Bhikshu is said to have merged with the Naivedya, showing that he was none other than the mighty Lord Shiva himself. The rice mixture (Anna-rasi) then got converted into a Shiva linga. Thus Lord Kedareshwar graced Rishi Mandhata and the other Rishis in the annapurneshwar form.


Festivals


Ekadasi, Pradosham and Poornima are considered the important days of every month.


Type of Pooja / Aarti


Mangala Aarti is performed at 3.15 Am, 2nd Aarti at 10.00 AM, 3rd Aarti at 5.30 PM and shayan Aarti at 10.30 PM Timing may change depending upon the season. Anna Abhishek is performed once in a year. In this rituals, the shiv Ling is covered with cooked rice. Taking bath in Ganges on every Monday and performing Pooja / abhishek of Lord Kedareshwar is very auspicious. Much importance to attached to poojas on Monday during shravan month ( July 23 to August 20) and most importanly on last Monday of that month. It is believed that performing Shraaddh ceremony on Amavasya which fall on Tuesday at Kedar Ghat is very auspicious.


How to Reach Varanasi

Airport

Varanasi airport is well connected to some of the major cities in India like Delhi and Mumbai. Being an important pilgrimage center, Varanasi attracts pilgrims from all over the world, who can make use of the services provided by many major airlines having flights connecting the Varanasi airport.


Railways

The Varanasi railway station is connected to major cities of India via rail. From the railway station, tourists can hire a taxi or a cab to explore the city.


Road

Ample state run and privately owned buses are available connecting Varanasi to the major cities of Uttar Pradesh and its neighboring states.


Temple Address


Kedareshwar Temple,
Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • Salvation
  • Wealth
  • Relief from diseases
  • Purchase of vehicles
  • Gain Knowledge
Shlokas

Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree

Meaning -Oh Lord Shiva who is seated on Mount Kailash, where the moon decorates his forehead and the king of serpents crown his head, who is merciful and removes delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.

Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat

Meaning -We worship the fragrant Lord Shiva, who has 3 eyes and who cultivates all beings. May He free me from death, for immortality, as even a cucumber is separated from its bond with the vine.

Timings

The temple is open from 3.00 AM to 11.00 PM.

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