Kashi Vishwanath and Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temples: 12 Jyotirlingas (Part 5)

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the ‘Golden Temple of Lord Shiva’ is situated on the western bank of River Ganga, in the Varanasi town of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi, popularly known as Kashi is aptly called the ‘Cultural Capital of India’. According to Hindu Ithihas, it is believed that Kashi was founded by Lord Shiva and so, the principal deity present here is in the form of Vishwanath which means ‘Lord of the Universe’. The temple is mentioned in the Puranas including the Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana.

The temple complex consists of a series of smaller shrines, located in a small lane called the Vishwanatha Galli. The current structure is established under the reign of Maratha Ruler, Ahilya Bai Holkar in 1780 after being destroyed multiple times by Muslim invaders. The Manikarnika Ghat on the banks of Maa Ganga is considered as a Shakti Peetha. Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi is celebrated as Rangabhari Ekadashi with the temple complex being echoed by the echo of dozens of Damroos. On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami Baba’s Tilak is performed and after that Shivratri Vivaah and Rangbhari Ekadashi marks Maa Parvati leaving with Prabhu Shiva. These traditions are performed for over a century by the erstwhile mahant parivaar of the temple. This shrine is one of the Vaippu Sthalams sung by Tamil Kavi Nayanar Sambandar.

The only jyotirlinga that worships murtis of Vishnu and Brahma along with Shiva, the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is located between three hills namely Brahmagiri, Nilagiri, and Kalagiri in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. It has three lingas showing an iconic form of Shiva, representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Its architecture is of Hemadpanthi style made out of black stone by the Peshwa of Maratha Empire, Balaji Baji Rao. The origin of the sacred river Godavari, which is the longest river in Peninsular India is Kusavarta kunda built in the temple premises. It also has a well called Amritavarshini.

With reference to Hindu Ithihas, it is said that Gautama rishi along with his wife Ahalya lived on the Brahmagiri hills. Despite famine everywhere on the land, it was rishi’s ashram where abundant food grains were available. Seeing this other rishis were jealous and so they released a cow into his fields. When Gautama rishi tried to frighten the cow away from his land, it died. For the sin of killing a cow, Gautama worshipped Lord Shiva to release River Ganga into his ashram to purify it. Lord Shiva released Maa Ganga and told her to stay there, which later took the form of Kusavarta kunda and so, people worship the Godavari as Ganga. The famous pilgrimage festival, Kumbh meal, occurs here once every 12 years.