Varanasi’s 5 Most Revered Hindu Temples
My mother, a successful scientist, often visits the 3000 years old holy town of Varanasi. She says that , “Things which are beyond the ideas of Science exist in the rarest lands of the world and one of those lands is Varanasi.”
Varanasi captures you in a way like no other land does. An extremely humble town, famous for its rich history and culture lies on the lap of the celebrated Ganges. A milestone pilgrimage site visited by 85 million tourists annually, with the city’s centuries old temples forming the soul of the town. Varanasi is best clubbed for a cultural holiday in India with the Golden Triangle India tour or the Rajasthan tour.
Here is a curated list of six of the most revered temples in Varanasi. With this, you can plan out your life-changing trip to one of the most admired temple towns on the globe.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Probably the most worshipped temples in Hinduism, the Kashi Vishwanath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the three most prominent Gods in Hinduism. And Varanasi is known to have been founded by Lord Shiva! It is often said that a visit to this temple and a bath in the Ganges near it leads you to a path of liberation. With over 45,000 pilgrims a day flocking to its ground, the temple has undergone various redevelopment projects and is well maintained by a board of trustees. Its complex consists of several small temples and gold and silver shrines and domes.
Kaal Bhairav Temple
Kaal Bhairav is believed to be the guardian deity of Varanasi. “Kaal” in Hinduism refers to both death and time, signifying that death is only a matter and consequence of time. Kaal Bhairav is known to remove the fear of both death and time. A silver-faced idol of the deity sits in the inner altar of the temple which is most visited on Tuesdays and Sundays. It is often said that pilgrims must visit Kaal Bhairav temple before visiting Kashi Vishwanath. The priests perform rituals to fade away bad omen and tie black threads which protect one from evil spirits.The offerings to God here are special as they are a form of liquor!
Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple
As per a local legend, this temple, with thousand years old shrines, keeps all its devotees secure from unnatural death and illnesses. The water of the well nearby is known to cure illnesses. As the legend goes:the God of Ayurveda (Ancient Hindu Medicine practice) poured all his blessings into this well. Two important ghats– theGola Ghat and Pancha Ghat,surround the temple. The best time to visit is in August, during the Savan Mela, when the temple undergoes a lovely makeover.
Annapurna Devi Temple
A temple devoted to the Goddess of food who gifted Varanasi a special “kitchen” is the Annapurna temple. It is located just beside the aforementioned Kashi Vishwanath Temple. One of its idols is built entirely in gold. The temple follows a special Indian style of architecture called Nagara and features a brass shrine too. Devotees are allowed to donate and also consume food from the temple’s blessed kitchen.
Vishalakshi Temple
It is one of the most sanctified temples dedicated to the divine Hindu Mother Vishalakshi (wide-eyed). It is said that the blessed earrings of a prominent Goddess Sati fell here. The legend considers the temple as a symbol of shakti (strength) thus women perform aartis here as to recognize the power of the feminine nature of the universe. The gaze of the Goddess is said to be so powerful that she fulfills the desires of the devotees who come to seek her blessings.
FAQs
1. When is the best time to visit Varanasi?
A: The best time to visit Varanasi is between October and March. The cool and pleasant weather is perfect for exploring the temple city.
2. How to reach Varanasi?
A: Varanasi is a town located in the northern Indian state,Uttar Pradesh. It is 600 kilometers away from the nation’s capital, Delhi, and 320 kilometers from the state capital, Lucknow. The best way to reach Varanasi is via a flight, preferably from Delhi. Varanasi has a well connected railway system too and plenty of buses frequenting routes from nearby metro cities.
3. Which are the best luxury hotels in Varanasi?
A: Varanasi has a plethora of 5-star luxury hotels to choose from. The Taj Nadesar Palace, Taj Ganges, The Clarks, BrijRama Palace are some of the top choices.
4. How do I travel within Varanasi?
A: The best way to travel within Varanasi is by booking a private vehicle with a dedicated chauffeur. You can enquire your hotel concierge for the same or consult a luxury travel agency. Other than that, the town has plenty of auto rickshaws, taxi & cab services to benefit from.
5. How can I book a tailored luxury tour of India?
Tailored luxury India tours are the best way to appreciate the incredible beauty of this subcontinent. You can book yours by simply reaching out to TRAVELOSEI (+91-9837176871) and sharing your requirements & vision for your luxury holiday.

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