The Most Famous Temples of Varanasi in India

There are probably very few street corners inRamayana. This temple was built in 1964 in pure white
Varanasi, where you wouldn't find a temple dedicatedmarble and is dedicated to Lord Rama. Worth seeing
to one of the Hindu deities. Often referred as the cityis the beautiful landscaping around the temple and the
of temples, Varanasi is home to some very reveredengraving on the walls depicting scenes from the epic
temples that were built centuries ago. In general, the- Ramcharitmanasa. The temple is near the Durga
older the temple, the larger is the number of devoteestemple in the Durgakund area.
who throng there. Every temple has its own history5) The New Kashi Vishwanath Temple: A replica of
and each one of these temples is renowned for athe original Kashi Vishwanath temple, this was
specific effect it will have on your life if you were tocommissioned by one of the richest industrialist families
pay a visit. Here is a list of some of the most reveredof India - the Birlas. Built in white marble, the temple has
and most visited temples in Varanasi.a 'Shiva Linga' in the inner sanctum Sanctorum and the
1) Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Originally built in 1776 bywalls are inscribed with the verses from ancient Hindu
Maharani Ahilya Devi of Indore, the towers of thescriptures. The temple is located in the campus of the
temple were gold plated by the Maharaja Ranjit Singhfamous Banaras Hindu University near Lanka area of
in 1835 who donated 1000 kg of gold. The 'shivalinga' inVaranasi.
the temple 60 cm tall and 90 cm in circumference6) Sankat Mochan Temple: One of the most visited
housed in a silver altartemples in Varanasi, the Sankat Mochan temple is
2) Kal Bhairav Temple: Kal Bhairav is another name ofbelieved to have been established by the legendary
Lord Shiva and refers to one of his rather aggressivepoet, Goswami Tulsidas. The temple is devoted to
'forms' or avatar. It is believed that Kal Bhairava wasLord Hanuman who is believed to save his devotees
freed of a curse only after he took shelter in Varanasifrom the adverse effects of a malefic Saturn. The
or Kashi. He is worshipped as the 'Kotwaal' of Kashitemple is highly revered as it is believed that Lord
Varanasi. The word 'Kotwaal' of the Hindi language isHanuman clears all the obstacles from the path of his
used to refer to the person who is responsible for thedevotee. The campus of this temple is home to
general well being and law and order situation of a city.thousands of monkeys who stay here and feed on
It is generally believed that anyone who comes tothe offerings from the devotees. The monkeys are
Varanasi must visit the KalBhairav temple and seek hisnot known to harm anyone in the temple campus
blessings if he intends to have a safe stay in Varanasi.though.
The Temple lies in the Visheshar Ganj area of7) Annapurna Temple: This temple is dedicated to
Varanasi.Goddess Annapurna. She is the goddess of food and
3) The Goddess Durga Temple: The Durga Templegeneral prosperity and is believed to be an incarnation
lies in the Durgakund area of Varanasi and isof goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. Devotees
dedicated to goddess Durga. The temple was built inthrong this temple to be blessed with prosperity in life
the eighteenth century in the Nagara style of templeand to be free from going hungry ever in life. There
architecture. Made of red stone, the Durga temple hasare two idols at the temple - one is made of gold and
a muti-tiered shikhara or spire. There is also aother is made of brass. The gold idol is reserved for
rectangular water tank adjacent to the temple.special rituals held on important occasions. Anna Daan
4) Manas Mandir: Also known as the Tulsi Manasor giving away food grains to beggars is common
Mandir, this temple is believed to be built at the spotpractice at this temple as it is believed to counter the
where the great poet, Tulsidas wrote some parts ofsins of the individual.
the great Indian epic, Ram Charitmanas or the