Varanasi is a city situated on the bank of the holy river Ganga and is also known as the sacred capital state of India. Varanasi is a city of shrines, temples huddled with pilgrims coming from every nook and corners of the country.

There are numerous famous and ancient temples located in this city like Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Kal Bhairav Temple, Durga Temple, Mrityunjaya Temple etc.

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is located on the bank of River Ganges. It is one of the most famous ancient temples of India, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Major Attractions of Kashi Vishwanath Temple

• • Jnana Vapi- It is a well inside this temple having an ancient story about it.
  • Sabha Garh- In this hall, there is a linga statue who is sitting on the silver platform.
  • Domes- There are three golden domes present in the temple.

2. Kal Bhairav Temple

This temple has the most ferocious form of Lord Shiva which is designed as a man wearing garlands made of a human skull which makes the idol scary. As Lord Shiva was fond of alcohols, so alcohol is also offered to the Lord here. This temple is loaded with priests selling some items and giving blessings to the pilgrims with peacock feathers. There is a saying that Lord Shiva is the owner of Varanasi, so one needs to take permission to stay there.

There is a restriction to enter the inner shrine of the temple where only priests are allowed. We can see the Lord sitting on his vehicle, which is the dog.

3. Durga Temple

Another name of this temple is “Monkey Temple” as one can find numerous monkeys inside the temple. The idol of this temple is not artificial as it has appeared itself. Millions of people flock at this place to take the blessings of Goddess Durga, especially during Navratri, which is known as the “Festival of Maa Durga”. The idol of Mata is carrying a red saree and having a sword in her hand.

Major Attractions of Durga Temple

Durga Kund- It is a small rectangular water reservoir which is paved with stone stairs from all the sides and one can find the watch pillars there in the kund which makes the kund more attractive.

4. Mrityunjaya Temple

This ancient and glorious temple of Lord Mahadev( Lord Shiva) is on the way from Daranagar to Kaal Bhairav Temple. There is a belief that the ‘Shivaling’ present in this temple keeps away all the devotees from their unnatural death.  People from every nook and corners of the country flock here and do “Mrityunjaya Path” so that they can get rid of their problems.

Major Attractions of Mrityunjaya Temple

Ancient Well- It is a magical well as the water of this well is a collection of several water currents and is highly effective to cure the diseases.

5. Maa Annapurna Mandir

Maa Annapurna is a goddess of Anna ( crops) and is a deity form of goddess Parvati. The pilgrims who come here to pray Maa Annapurna to donate food grains to Mata having a belief in their mind that they will get the affluence for lifelong if Maa gives her blessing to them. One can see two idols in this temple i.e. Brass idol and Gold idol. It is allowed throughout the year to philosophy the brass idol but there is a restriction behind the philosophy of gold idol. We can do philosophy of gold idol only on the day before Diwali.

Major Attractions of Maa Annapurna Temple

The gold idol- One day before Diwali this place gets huddled with many pilgrims as it is not available throughout the year.

6. The Nepali Temple

This temple is also one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimages in Varanasi. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The architecture of this temple is of Nepali style and is constructed with stones, wood, and terracotta. This temple resembles the Khajuraho Temple and so named as “ Mini Khajuraho”. The temple is known by one other name i.e. Kanthwala Mandir. This temple is a duplication of the Kathmandu’s “Pashupatinath Temple”.

Major Attractions of The Nepali Temple

The wooden pagodas- The temple is made up of stones, wood, and terracotta but the pagodas (tower) of the temple is made of wood.

Also read:

1. 12 Dwadasa Jyotirlinga To Visit In India
2. Top 10 Places to Visit in Uttarakhand
3. Top 10 Travel Destinations of West India
4. Top 5 Beaches To Visit In India
5. Make Your Travel Trip Amazing in Adventure Parks

Image credit- Canva