Kashi Khand has described the importance of the area included under Pancha Krosha Kshetra which is considered to be the most pious area. In Chapter 26, this area is described to contain the Avimukta Kshetra, housing Visweshwar Temple. Further, Lord Shiva has described the area coming under Pancha Krosha as very dear to him. The importance of this area has been amply described in various other Purans also.
Kashi Khand, in Chapter 100 has prescribed various Yatras (religious tours like Shiva Ling Yatras, Ekadasa (eleven) Ling Yatras, Antargrihi Yatra, Gauri Yatra, Surya Yatra, Bhairava Yatra, Vishnu Yatra etc.
One important Yatra being undertaken by the religious devotees in and around Kashi is the Pancha Krosha Yatra which takes a circumambulation around Kashi Kshetra. This tour involves about five days and devotees worship 128 deities on the way. The tour is indeed tedious and to avoid hardship, people undertake this tour by car or other conveyance to finish the trip in one day.
Pancha Krosha Yatra, per se, has not been mentioned in Kashi Khand, though this finds mention in other Purans like Brahma Vaivart Puran (Kashi Rahasya), Koorma Puran etc. However, local devotees hold Pancha Krosha Yatra in high esteem and it is reckoned with almost synonymous with Kashi Khand. Therefore, the authors are pleased to write about this.
There are various religious groups undertaking this Yatra. Experienced seniors sometimes lead the group of people or they depend on some people to take them around the various places.
For those who are not in a position to undertake the extensive tour (for reasons like physical strain, lack of time etc.), there is one Pancha Krosha Temple in Kashi where all the 128 deities are available in miniature form. The Shiv Ling is supposed to be made of sphatik stone (crystal stone) with both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvaty’s symbolic presence. According to local timings are flexbile. Aarties are conducted in the morning and evening.
According to one of the Poojaries, this temple has been in existence for several centuries.
POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE
Shri Uttam Kumar Dikshit is one of the Poojaries of the temple and he can be contacted in his Cell No. (0)9936521919 for performing any special Pooja etc.
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PANCHAKSHESHWAR
After the few batches of Shiv Gans failed to return, Lord Shiva sent few more batches of Shiv Gans from Mandarachal to Kashi. (Regarding deputation of Shiv Gans to Kashi, devotees are requested to refer to Kukkuteshwar Ling).
These Shiv Gans also decided to settle down in Kashi and they installed Shiv Lings which came to be known after their names. One Shiv Ling named Panchaksheshwar was installed in the vicinity of Trilochaneshwar.
Kashi Khand, Chapter 55 states that a devotee who worships Panchaksheshwar will always be respected in his community.
LOCATION OF PANCHAKSHESHWAR
Panchaksheshwar is located near Trilochaneshwar Temple at Trilochan Ghat and is also known as Rudraksheshwar. The temple is approachable from Birla Hospital after Machhodari upto which place, people can travel by Auto or Cycle Rickshaw. Alternatively, they can have a boat ride upto Trilochan Ghat and climb the steps and enter the gully. The municipal number of the temple premises is A-2/56 and there is a hand pump nearby.
TYPES OF POOJAS
The temple is open for worship 05.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon and 05.00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE
Shri Mithilesh Mishra is available nearby and he can be contacted in his Cell no. (0)9839744493.
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PAARVATEESHWAR
Once Goddess Paarvaty asked Lord Shiva the reason for all round happiness in Kashi. Lord Shiva replied that in various other places, if there is a Shiv Ling, there will be happiness in the area in the radius of about 10 miles. Whereas in Kashi there are Shiv Lings all over the place and thus the happiness is manifold. This is one of the reasons for Kashi to be referred to as Ananda Van. A person who installs a Shiv Ling in Kashi will enjoy ultimate happiness.
Hearing this, Goddess Paarvaty expressed her desire to install one Shiv Ling and sought permission from Lord Shiva. If a pativrata wife (wife fully devoted to her husband) does a good job after getting due permission from her husband, she will be successful in her venture. After getting permission, Goddess Paarvaty installed a Shiv Ling, near Mahadev Ling, which came to be called as Paarvateeshwar.
Kashi Khand, Chapter 93 states that a devotee who worships Paarvateeshwar is cleansed of even the worst sin of Brahma Hatya. The devotee who regularly worships this Ling will himself take form of a Shiv Ling in Kashi after his death.
Special importance has been attached to Chaitra Month (March-April) Shukla Paksha Triteeya (3rd day after Amavasya) and a devotee who performs pooja of Paarvateeshwar on this day will get all round prosperity and will attain Moksha.
LOCATION OF PAARVATEESHWAR
Paarvateeshwar is located at A-3/92, Aadi Mahadev, Trilochan. The temple is approachable from Birla Hospital after Machhodari upto which place, people can travel by Auto or Cycle Rickshaw. Alternatively, they can have a boat ride upto Trilochan Ghat and climb the steps.
TYPES OF POOJAS
The temple is open from 05.00 a.m to 9.00 p.m. Mangala Aarti is performed at 05.00 a.m., Shringar at 06.30 a.m., and Aarti at 07.00 a.m. The temple is open till 09.00 p.m.
POOJARIS OF THE TEMPLE
Shri Girish Chand Mehrotra is the Poojari of the temple.
PARVATESHWAR
Kashi Khand Chapter 100 describes various places of worship and various types of religious tours which should be undertaken by devotees.
According to Kashi Khand devotees should undertake Antargrihi Yatra daily whereby they have to worship various deities.
After worshipping Vasukeeshwar, devotees are advised to worship Parvateshwar whereby they will be blessed with all round happiness.
LOCATION OF PARVATESHWAR
Parvateshwar is located at K-7/156, Scindia Ghat. People can travel upto Chowk by rickshaw and walk upto this place by foot through Atma Veereshwar temple which is a famous landmark.
Alternatively, they can take a boat ride upto Scindia Ghat and walk up the steps.
Devotees should not confuse this deity with Paarvateeshwar which is mentioned elsewhere.
TYPES OF POOJA
The place is open for worship from 05.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 06.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m.
POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE
Baba Hemant Bharti is in charge of the temple who always remains in the premises.
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PASUPATESHWAR
According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 61, Lord Vishnu describes various sacred ponds and deities around Manikarnika Teerth. Towards the north of Manikarnika is the Pasupath Teerth.
Devotees should take bath in this Teerth, perform rituals for their forefathers and worship Pasupateshwar.
Pasupateshwar is a huge Swayambhu Ling not vertical or erect but is a protrusion and covers a large suface area. Persons worshipping Pasupateshwar are blessed with all sorts of happiness in life and they are free from all bondages.
Special importance has been given to Chaitra month, a day before Poornima. Devotees are advised to observe fast on this day.
Kashi Khand, Chapter 79 states that Lord Shiva resides in various Lings at various times. In the twilight time, Lord Shiva resides in Pasupateshwar Ling. So worshipping Pasupateshwar at this time is very beneficial to the devotees. Ling Puraan, chapter 9 of the supplement as also shlok 134 to 139 states that devotees who worship Pasupatehswar will have no rebirth and they will remain immortal.
LOCATION OF PASUPATESHWAR
The temple is located at Ck. 13/66, Pasupateshwar Galli. The locality is named after this famous Ling. People can travel upto chowk area by rickshaw and walk on foot upto this temple. This temple is a famous landmark.
TYPES OF POOJA
The temple remains open practically throughout the day. There is special Shringar on Chaitra Month, Shukla Paksha, Chaturdasi (as laid down in Kashi Khand). There is also special pooja on Rang Bhari Ekadasi (Ekadasi day before Holi festival).
POOJARIES OF THE TEMPLE
According to locals, devotees can perform pooja etc. by their own self.
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PAWANESHWAR
On an humble request by Goddess Parvaty, Lord Shiva described the various Teerths (Sacred Ponds) and Shiv Lings in the Holy City of Kashi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 97).
Kashi Khand mentions one Pawaneshwar Ling among various other Shiv Lings. All these Lings are capable of giving Siddhi (mystic accomplishments) and many powers to the devotees.
A devotee who worships Pawaneshwar Ling, will attain Siddhi. Siddhi means ultimate knowledge and power for a devotee.
LOCATION OF PAWANESHWAR
Pawaneshwar is located at K.63/14, Bhoot Bhairav Mohalla. The ling is under the ground and there is a flight of steps leading to the Ling from ground level. Devotees can reach this place by travelling upto Kashi Devi temple/Bula Nala/Lohatia by rickshaw and walk on foot upto Jyeshta Gauri/Bhoot Bhairav.
TYPES OF POOJA
The temple is open in the morning from 06.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and 06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m.
The timings are flexible. Devotees can perform pooja etc. on their own.
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PINGALESHWAR
Several batches of Shiv Gans, on the direction of Lord Shiva, visited Kashi (Kindly refer to Kukkuteshwar). In one of the batches one Shiv Gan known as Pingal arrived at Kashi and being enthralled by the beauty of the divine surroundings, installed a Shiv Ling, near Kapardeeshwar, which was named after him as Pingaleshwar and started praying to Lord Shiva.
Kashi Khand, Chapter 53 states that a person who worships Pingaleshwar will be purified by all his sins getting absolved.
LOCATION OF PINGALESHWAR
Pingaleshwar, also called as Nakuleshwar by locals, is located at C-21/40, near Kapardeeshwar in Pisachmochan, which is a famous locality in Varanasi. This place can be reached by cycle rickshaw or auto-rickshaw from Chetganj or Maldahiya or Faatmaan road (Sigra). People visit this Pisachmochan Kund for performing Pind Daan (Shraaddh/ rituals for their forefathers).
TYPES OF POOJAS
The temple is open for worship practically throughout the day. For doing special pooja, it is advisable to consult the Poojari before hand.
POOJARIS OF THE TEMPLE
Shri Kamlesh Tiwari is available at the place and he can be contacted in his Cell number (0)9918989066 for doing any special pooja. Shri Tiwari is also available for helping devotees to perform any rituals for their forefathers at Pisachmochan Kund.
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