Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – Lord Shiva

Kashi Vishwanath (Jyotirlinga) Temple of Lord Shiva

There are twelve jyotirlinga's of Lord Shiva and Kashi Vishwanath Temple holds a special place among these. This temple is present in the holy city of Varanasi, on the banks of The Ganges. The main deity is known by the name Vishwanatha or Vishveshvara meaning Ruler of The Universe. The Vishwanath Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India. It is said that the merits earned by the darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in various parts of India accrue to a devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Kashi nagar is so great that even if the universe is to be destroyed in Pralaya, it would remain intact. Dandapani and Kalabhairav guard this city. They stay there forever. On the Ganga banks eighty four bathing ghats are located. There are also several teerthkundas. They have been there right from the times of Vedas. According to some legends, Lord Shiva had lived at Kashi for quite some time on his arrival there after the Daksha Yagna incident.

Kashi Vishwanath temple witnesses important events, some of them are enumerated below.

Lord Shiva - Jyotirlinga at Kashi
Gauna of Devi Parvati

Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on Mahashivratri and gauna (a ritual associated with consummation of marriage) was performed on Rangbhari Ekadashi. This auspicious occasion is celebrated by the residents of Kashi in grand style.

As per tradition, devotees carried the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in a 'palaki' from the house of former mahant of Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Blowing conch, damru and other musical instruments, the devotees went to the sanctum sanctorum of Kashi Vishwanath Temple and offered gulal and rose petals to the deities.

Importance of Manikarnika Ghat 

The Manikarnika Ghat on the banks of Ganges near to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is considered as a Shakti Peetha, a revered place of worship for the Shaktism sect. The mythology of Daksha Yaga, a Shaivite literature is considered as an important literature which is the story about the origin of Shakti Peethas.It is said that Shiva came to the Kashi Vishwanath Shrine through Manikarnika after the death of Sati Devi.

Due to the immense popularity and holiness of Kashi Vishwanath temple, hundreds of temples across India have been built in the same architectural style. Many legends record that the true devotee achieves freedom from death and saṃsāra by the worship of Shiva, Shiva's devotees on death being directly taken to his abode on Mount Kailash by his messengers and not to Yama. The superiority of Shiva and his victory over his own nature—Shiva is himself identified with death—is also stated. There is a popular belief that Shiva himself blows the mantra of salvation into the ears of people who die naturally at the Vishwanath temple.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga – Lord Shiva

Omkareshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The Temple of Lord Omkareshwar is situated on the banks of River Narmada, in between Indore & Khandwa. The temple is situated on an island, which is encircled by the Narmada River. The island is known as Mandhata island.

Omkareshwar Temple of Lord Shiva

This holy temple is situated in Madhya Pradesh, in the Khandwa district. This is situated on Mandhata island. An interesting fact about the island is that this is in the shape of Om symbol. Here are two temple, one of Omkareshwar and other of Mamleshwar or Amareshwar.

 

Omkareshwar Temple
The Temple

The main Omkareswar temple is built in the North Indian style of architecture, with high spires. The sanctum sanctorum containing the Jyotirlinga seems to have been originally a small temple of the old construction style, the dome being made of layers of stone slabs.
Puja at Omkareshwar Temple


There are three regular 'Pujas' in the temple. The morning puja done by the temple trust, the middle one by the priest of Scindia state and in evening by the priest of the Holkar state. The temple is always crowded with pilgrims, coming after a immersion in the Narmada and with pots full of Narmada water, coconuts and articles of worship, many of them performing Abhishek or special worships through the priests.

During fair or 'Parva' times there are heavy crowds in the temple. On every Monday, the gold plates three headed idol of Lord Omkar is taken in a palanquin with bands, drums , priests. The devotees gather in procession known as Dola. First, they go to the river where worship is performed, and then through the streets of the town.


In the holy month of shravan, the processions take place, known as "Somvar Sawaris". These are huge and grand. The crowds dance uttering the Lord's name "Om Shambhu Bholenath". In this procession, throwing Gulal making the atmosphere red.
Three Legends of Omkareshwar


Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga also has its own history and many stories. Out of these, three of them are prominent.
First story


This is about Vindhya Parvat (Mount). Once upon a time, Sage Narada (son of Lord Brahma), visited Vindhya parvat. In his spicy way, Narada told Vindhya Parvat about the greatness of Mount Meru.


This made Vindhya jealous of Meru and he decided to be bigger than Meru. Vindhya started worship of Lord Shiva to become greater than Meru. Vindhya Parvat practiced severe penance and worshipped parthivlinga (A linga made from physical material) along with Lord Omkareshwar for nearly six months.


As a result, Lord Shiva was pleased and blessed him with his desired boon. On a request of all the gods and the sages, Lord Shiva made two parts of the lingas. One half is called Omkareshwara and the other Mamaleshwar or Amareshwar.


Lord Shiva gave the boon of growing to Vindhya mountain, but took a promise that Vindhya will never be a problem to Shiva's devotees. Vindhya began to grow, but did not keep his promise. It even obstructed the sun and the moon.


Soon, all deities approached sage Agastya for help. Agastya along with his wife came to Vindhya, and convinced him that he would not grow until the sage and his wife returned.


They never returned and Vindhya is there as it was when they left. The sage and his wife stayed in Srisailam which is regarded as Dakshina Kashi and one of the Dwadash Jyotirlinga.
Second Story


The second story relates to Mandhata and his son's penance. King Mandhata of Ishvaku clan (an ancestor of Lord Ram) worshipped Lord Shiva here till the Lord manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga. Some scholars also narrate the story about Mandhata's sons-Ambarish and Mucchkund, who had practiced severe penance and austerities here and pleased Lord Shiva. Because of this the mountain is named Mandhata.
Third Story


The third story from Hindu scriptures says that once upon a time there was a great war between Devas and Danavas(demon), in which Danavas won. This was a major setback for Devas and hence Devas prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with their prayer, Lord Shiva emerged in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated Danavas.

Trayambakeshwar Jyotirling Story

Trayambakeshwar Jyotirling Story

Sage Gautama and his beautiful wife, Sati Ahilya, lived in an ashram. The other Sages' wives hated Sati Ahilya. They asked their husbands to get Sage Gautama and Sati Ahilya to leave the ashram. The saints performed a tapasya to please Ganesha. When he appeared they asked him to help them get Sage Gautama out. Ganesha became a cow and started grazing in Sage Gautama's fields. Sage Gautama hit the cow with a small stick. But with a light blow, it dies. All the sages called Sage Gautama a sinner; they asked him to leave the ashram. Sadly, he left with his wife. He prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness. Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him the truth. At first, Sage Gautama wanted to punish the sages for their misdeed, but he forgave them as it was because of them that he could see Lord Shiva. He asked Lord Shiva to stay there forever. Lord Shiva consented, and became the Trayambakeshwar Jyotirling.