>GoodDay at 23:30, 24 June 2021

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{{Short description|Famous temples in abundance in Varanasi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
[[File:Benares (Varanasi, India) - 1922.jpg|300px|thumb|Varanasi temples along the River Ganges in 1922]]
'''[[Varanasi]]''' is an ancient city in India famous for housing many [[Hindu temple]]s. The city's ancient holiness makes it a sacred geography in [[Hinduism]]. The city's temples were erected at different times throughout the history of Varanasi by various kings, saints, monasteries, guilds and communities. The city is one of the largest collection of historic and newly built Hindu temples. Varanasi is an ancient city with deep spiritual roots and significance for the Hindus and it reflects this heritage in over a thousand temples.

Varanasi, also known as Benares,<ref>[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/British_Indian_Empire_1909_Imperial_Gazetteer_of_India.jpg The name that appears on the 1909 version official map of India]</ref> '''Banaras''' (''Banāras''), or '''[[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]]''' (''Kāśī''), is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (''[[Sapta Puri]]'') in [[Hinduism]] and [[Jainism]], and played an important role in the development of [[Buddhism]]. It is one of the [[List of cities by time of continuous habitation|oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world]]. Varanasi is also known as the favourite city of the Hindu deity [[Lord Shiva]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9074835/Varanasi |title=Varanasi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/8968635/Varanasi_Varanasi_Banaras_Kashi |title=Varanasi}}</ref>

Some historic Hindu temples in Varanasi were demolished and mosques built in their place after the 13th-century, particularly in the reign of Aurangzeb.<ref name="Doniger2010p538">{{cite book|author=Wendy Doniger|title=The Hindus: An Alternative History|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=nNsXZkdHvXUC|year= 2010|publisher= Oxford University Press |isbn= 978-0-19-959334-7|pages= 537–538}}; Quote: "He [Aurangzeb] destroyed all newlybuilt or rebuilt Hindu temples and replaced them with mosques; in particular, he replaced the great Vishvanatha Temple in Varanasi and Keshava Deo Temple at Mathura with two great Aurangzeb mosques and changed the name of Mathura to Islamabad."</ref><ref name="Eck1982p82">{{cite book|author=Diana L. Eck|author-link=Diana L. Eck|title=Banaras, City of Light |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J57C4d8Bv6UC |year=1982|publisher= Columbia University Press|isbn= 978-0-231-11447-9|page=82}}; Quote: "Jayachandra was beheaded, his army was humiliated, and the forces of Muhammad Ghuri, under the leadership of General Qutb-ud-din Aibak, advanced to Varanasi. They sacked and looted the city. According to a Muslim historian of the age, they destroyed nearly one thousand temples in Varanasi alone (...)"</ref> Along with the destruction of Hindu temples in Varanasi, Aurangzeb tried to change the name of the city from Benares to Muhammadabad.<ref name="Eck1982p83">{{cite book|author=Diana L. Eck|author-link=Diana L. Eck|title=Banaras, City of Light|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J57C4d8Bv6UC&pg=PA83|year=1982|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-11447-9|pages=83–85}}</ref> Sites such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple / Gyanvapi Mosque are a disputed site, a source of claims and counterclaims of religious intolerance.<ref name="Hassner2009p57">{{cite book|author=Ron E. Hassner|title=War on Sacred Grounds|url=https://archive.org/details/waronsacredgroun00hass |url-access=registration|year=2009|publisher=Cornell University Press|isbn=0-8014-6040-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/waronsacredgroun00hass/page/57 57], 71, 161}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Brajamādhaba Bhaṭṭācārya|title=Varanasi Rediscovered|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S0tuAAAAMAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal|isbn=978-81-215-0860-5|pages=215–216, 249–251}}</ref>

==Shiva==

[[File:Benares- The Golden Temple, India, ca. 1915 (IMP-CSCNWW33-OS14-66).jpg|left|thumb|400px|[[Kashi Vishwanath Temple]] golden top]]

*'''[[Kashi Vishwanath Temple]]''': Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous [[Hindu temple]]s and is dedicated to [[Lord Shiva]]. This is one of the most worshiped Shiva temple in [[Hinduism]] and has been mentioned in the [[Puranas]] including the Kashi Khanda (section) of [[Skanda Purana]]. The original Vishwanath temple was destroyed by the army of [[Qutb-ud-din Aibak]] in 1194 CE, when he defeated the Raja of [[Kannauj]] as a commander of [[Mohammad Ghori]]. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in the past 800 years and the existing structure was erected in 18th century.
*'''[[Kaal Bhairav Mandir, Varanasi|Kaal Bhairav Mandir]]''': Kaal Bhairav Mandir is an ancient temple of Varanasi near the main Post Office, VishesharGanj. Lord [[Kal Bhairav|Kaal Bhairav]] is believed to be the "Kotwal of Varanasi". Without his permission no one can stay in Kashi.
*'''[[Mrityunjay Mahadev Mandir]]''': Mrityunjay Mahadev Mandir of Lord Shiva is situated on the route from [[Daranagar]] to the Kalbhairav temple. Just beside this temple there is a well of much religious importance. Its water is said to be a mixture of several underground streams and good for eliminating several diseases.
*'''[[New Vishwanath Temple|New Vishwanath Mandir (Birla Mandir)]]''': The New Vishwanath Mandir, also called ''Birla Mandir'', mainly funded by [[Birla family]], was built as a replica of the old Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Planned by [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]], the temple is part of the [[Banaras Hindu University]] campus, and represents national revival. The temple is open to people of all castes and religions. There are nine temples in the Sri Vishwanath Temple campus, including Vishwanathji (Shiva Lingam), Natarajji, Mata Parvatiji, Ganesji, Mata Saraswatiji, Panchmukhi Mahadev, Hanumanji, and Nandiji. There are idols of Lord Shiva and Lakshmi Narayanji.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px" caption="">
File:Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, BHU 01.JPG|[[New Vishwanath Temple]]
File:Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, BHU 03.JPG|[[New Vishwanath Temple]] side view
</gallery>
*'''[[Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev Mandir]]''': Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev Mandir is one of the oldest temples in Varanasi, located near Bengal Tola Inter College and next to the famous weavers colony of [[Madanpura]]. It is said that, here, Tilbhandeshwar Shiva Lingam increases by a nominal length every year. Besides Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev, Vibhandeshwar, Maa Parvati, Bhairava, Lord Ayappan and other Hindu deities are visible here. This temple represents a unique combination of Malyali and Banarsi culture. Famous celebrations here include Mahashivratri, Makar Sankranti, Shravan, Navratri, Ayappan Puja etc. Maa Sharda also spent a few days in Varanasi at this temple.
*'''[[Nepali Mandir]]''': Constructed in the 19th century [[Anno Domini|A.D]] by the [[King of Nepal]], [[Maharajadhiraja]] [[Rana Bahadur Shah]], the temple is a replica of the [[Pashupatinath Temple]] in [[Kathmandu]]. Temple is [[also known as]] '''Kanthwala Mandir''' and '''Mini Khajuraho'''.
*'''[[Ratneshwar Mahadev temple]]''' is the leaning temple near the [[Manikarnika Ghat]] (the Burning Ghat). A lower part of the temple remains submerged into the river at times making it impossible to perform worship and rituals.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-varanasi-part-of-500-year-old-ratneshwar-mahadev-temple-collapses-due-to-lightning-2188737 Varanasi: Part of 500-year-old Ratneshwar mahadev temple collapses due to lightning, DNA 13 Mar 2016]</ref><ref>[http://www.bhaskar.com/news/UP-VAR-myths-of-ratneshwar-mahadev-temple-varanasi-5274569-PHO.html किसके श्राप से टेढ़ा हुआ था यह मंदिर, भरा रहता है कीचड़, पढ़ें 5 MYTHS, Dainik Bhaskar 14 Mar 2016]</ref>

==Durga or her Avatar==

*'''[[Durga Mandir, Varanasi|Durga Kund Mandir]]''': The architecture of [[Durga Mandir, Varanasi|Durga Mandir]] is of a [[Nagara architecture|Nagara]] style, which is typical of North India. The temple has a rectangular tank of water called the Durga Kund ("Kund" meaning a pond or pool.) The temple has multi-tiered spires and is stained red with ochre, representing the red colour of Durga. The Kund was initially connected directly to the river thus the water was automatically replenished. This channel was later closed, locking off the water supply, which is replenished only by rain or drainage from the Temple. Every year on the occasion of [[Nag Panchami]], the act of depicting Lord [[Vishnu]] reclining on the coiled-up mystical snake or "[[Shesha]]" is recreated in the Kund.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

<gallery widths="225px" heights="150px" caption="">
File:Durga Temple gate.JPG|[[Durga Mandir, Varanasi|Durga Mandir]] main gate
File:Varanasi_India.jpg|18th century ''Durga Temple'', overlooking the [[Durga Kund]]
File:Durga Kund.JPG|[[Durga kund]]
</gallery>

*'''[[Sankata Devi Mandir]]''': Sankata Devi Mandir is situated near the Sindhia Ghat, there is an important temple of the "Goddess of Remedy", Devi Sankatha. Inside its premises there is a huge statue of a lion. There are also nine temples of nine planets near to this temple.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

==Hanuman==
*'''[[Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (Varanasi)|Sankat Mochan Mandir]]''': Sankat Mochan Mandir is dedicated to Lord [[Hanuman]]. It is very popular with locals. It is the location for many yearly religious as well as cultural festivals. On 7 March 2006 one of the three explosions carried out by Islamic militants hit the temple, while the [[aarti]], in which numerous worshippers and wedding attendees participated, was in progress.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/09/international/asia/09india.html?pagewanted=print |title= Indian City Shaken by Temple Bombings |access-date=4 December 2008 |last= Sengupta |first= Somini |date= 9 March 2006 |work= [[The New York Times]] }}</ref>

<gallery widths="110px" heights="150px" caption="">
File:Hanuman painted by Pahari Painter.jpg|[[Hanuman]] painted by Pahari Painter
File:Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's.jpg|[[Hanuman]] fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910s
File:Hanuman showing Rama in His heart.jpg|[[Hanuman]] showing [[Rama|Lord Rama]] in His heart
</gallery>

==Parvati==

*'''[[Annapurna Devi Mandir]]''': Annapurna Devi Mandir is located near the Kashi Vishwanath temple, there is a nice temple of Devi Annapurna, believed to be the "Goddess of Food". She is a form of [[Parvati]]. She is also known as Kashipuraadeeshwari ("Queen of Kasi").

<gallery widths="110px" heights="150px" caption="">
File:Annapurna devi.jpg|Annapurna Devi
</gallery>

*'''[[Lalita Gauri Mandir]]''': Temple dedicated to the goddess Lalita Gauri.
*'''[[Vishalakshi Temple]]''': Vishalakshi Temple is dedicated to Vishalakshi (means wide-eyed) or [[Parvati]], the consort of Lord [[Shiva]].

==Vishnu==
{{expand section|date=December 2017}}
In addition to Shiva and Shakti temples, some of the most important ancient temples in Varanasi are dedicated to Vishnu.<ref>{{cite book|author=Diana L. Eck|author-link=Diana L. Eck|title=Banaras, City of Light|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J57C4d8Bv6UC |year=1982|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-11447-9|pages=65–67}}</ref>
*Adi Keshava temple
*Manikarnika Ghat Vishnu temple

==Surya==
Varanasi has been home to numerous Surya-related temples.<ref>{{cite book|author=Diana L. Eck|author-link=Diana L. Eck|title=Banaras, City of Light|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J57C4d8Bv6UC |year=1982|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-11447-9|pages=77–81}}</ref> Predominently lord Surya is worshipped in following twelve forms in Varanasi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://varanasitemples.in/category/aditya-temples/all-places-of-worship-of-lord-surya-aditya-in-kashi/|title=All Places of Worship of Lord Surya (Aditya) in Kashi - Varanasi Temples|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/dwadash-aditya-yatra-virtual-tour/|title=Dwadash Aditya Yatra Virtual Tour : : Official Website of Pawan Path|language=en|access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref>

# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=722 Arun Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=722 Drupad Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=730 Ganga Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=726 Keshava Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=720 Kakholkh Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=706 Lolark Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=718 Mayukh Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=714 Sambha Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=712 Uttarark Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=728 Vimal Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=724 Vriddh Aditya]
# [https://pawanpathvaranasi.in/?page_id=732 Yama Aditya]

==Others==
*'''[[Bharat Mata Mandir]]''': '''Bharat Mata Mandir''' ("Mother India Temple") is located on the [[Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith]] campus in [[Varanasi]], India. Instead of traditional statues of [[God]]s and [[Goddess]]es, this temple has a huge map of [[Akhand Bharat|undivided India]] carved in marble. This temple is dedicated to [[Mother India]] and claims to be the only one of its kind in the world.<ref name="Bharat Mata Mandir">{{cite news|title=Bharat Mata Mandir|publisher=varanasi.org|access-date=24 June 2015|url=http://www.varanasi.org.in/bharat-mata-mandir-temple-Varanasi}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2017}}
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px" caption="">
File:Bharat Mata Temple map.jpg|Relief map of India in Bharat Mata Mandir
</gallery>

===Dhanvantari===

In Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state, one statue of Dhanvantari is present in the University museum.
One Black stoned statue facing south is situated in a personal property of a Brahman family in Chowk area, varanasi. It's said that the Idol was found beneath the premises of that property when it was getting constructed and the Brahman couldn't figure out who it was hence decided to have it drifted in Ganga next morning, however same night lord came in his dream and introduced himself as KashiRaja Divodas(Dhanvantari) and asked to remain his idol where it was found, hence he built this temple in his house and his successors are still serving the Lord there. This temple said to be quite awakened and spiritual as the idol emerged on its own and it is a local belief that if some one worships here with all his faith, Lord cures his illness.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

However this temple is impossible to find, as nobody ever gives an address when they talk about it. "It is destined to be lost again and buried again," say local residents.

===Saints and scholars===

*'''[[Tulsi Manas Mandir]]''': Tulsi Manas Mandir is dedicated to Lord [[Rama]]. It is situated at the place where Tulsidas, the great medieval seer, lived and wrote the epic "Shri Ramcharitmanas", which narrates the life of Lord Rama, the hero of the Ramayana. Verses from Tulsidas’ epic are inscribed on the walls. It is close to the Durga Temple.
*'''[[Vyasa Mandir]]''': Situated in Ramnagar, Vyasa Mandir is dedicated to [[Veda vyāsa]], author of the [[Mahabharata]]

==Damage and destruction==
Varanasi and its Hindu temples were a target for raids and destruction during the Islamic invasion and rule of the Indian subcontinent. Various Sultans and Mughal emperors demolished Hindu temples and built mosques in their place starting in late 12th-century, particularly between the 13th-century and 18th-century, such as in the reign of Aurangzeb.<ref name="Doniger2010p538"/><ref name="Eck1982p82"/> The destruction of Hindu temples in Varanasi was widespread over time, with Aurangzeb even trying to change the name of the city from Benares to Muhammadabad.<ref name="Eck1982p83"/>

==See also==
{{Portal bar|India|Hinduism|Religion}}

==References==
{{CCBYSASource|sourcepath=http://wikimapia.org/255970/Sri-Kushmanda-Durga-Devi-Temple|sourcearticle=Sri Kushmanda Durga Devi Temple|revision=667159370|authors(s)=marmayogi at Wikimapia}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=40em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.varanasi-temples.com/ Varanasi temples]
* [http://www.shivshankar.in/sri-vishwanath-temple-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0-banaras-hindu/ Sri Vishwanath Temple श्रीविश्वनाथमन्दिर – Banaras Hindu University]

{{Varanasi}}
{{Temples in Varanasi}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Varanasi| ]]
[[Category:Varanasi-related lists|Hindu temples]]
[[Category:Lists of Hindu temples in India|Varanasi]]
[[Category:Lists of tourist attractions in Uttar Pradesh|Hindu temples, Varanasi]]
[[Category:Lists of buildings and structures in Uttar Pradesh]]

List of Hindu temples in Varanasi - Revision history

>GoodDay at 23:30, 24 June 2021