He was born from the Third eye of lord Shiv and he is a symbol or his Anger. he cut one of the heads of Brahma himself when ordered by lord shiv. but when he did so he got Brahm Hayta Paap ( sin for doing so ) so lord shiv adviced him to go to kashi where he will get rid of the sins. and also told him to stay there and take care of his devotees. Batuk Bhairav is Small (child) form of Bhairav Naath which is one of the incarnations of Lord Shiv. The temple in Kashi (Varanasi) has many miracles in store for every one of us from hundreds of years it’s the same. Nothing has been changed.

Its main attraction for Tantrik community and also for aghori’s . But though common men also very much devoted and has so much of faith in Shree Batuk Bhairav. In this temple there is Akhand Deep (lamp which burns for ever) and its believed to have magical powers of Lord Bhairav . And there are many dogs near the temple which is Vaahan (transport) of Bhairav . Interesting thing here is these dogs during the aarti time produce voice which is similar to Shankh & these dogs don’t harm anyone.

The oil of the Akhand Deep is miraculous for many persons. Those who have some disease it helps to cure them and also the wounds. Stranger thing is this oil acts as a medicine for dog bite! According to peoples its proven many times If someone suffering from dog bite and immediately if the oil will applied on that portion then it really helps to cure it .Several person come here daily to fulfill their wish ! It’s said that in Kalyug Shree Bhairav is the God which gives relief to the devotee very fast than any other.

Bheeshan bhairav

Bheeshan Bhairav is located at K.63/28, Bhoot Bhairav, near Jyeshteshwar. This deity is also known as Bhoot Bhairav. Devotees can reach this place in a rickshaw through Sapt Sagar or Kashipura.

The place of worship is open from 06.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m. Timings are flexible.

Samhar Bhairav

Samhar Bhairav is located at A.1/82, Patan Darwaja, near Gai Ghat. This area falls towards the northern side of Kashi. Devotees can reach this place by rickshaw through Machhodari. They can also take a boat ride upto Gai Ghat and climb the steps.

The place of worship is open from 05.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 05.00 p.m. to 09.30 p.m. Timings are flexible. Devotees can worship as per their convenience.

Unmat Bhairav

Unmat Bhairav is located in the Panch Kroshi Marg at Deora Village, which is about 10 Kms. away from Varanasi.

The place of worship is open practically throughout the day.

Krodhan Bhairav

Krodhan Bhairav is known as Aadi Bhairav and is located at Batuk Bhairav temple at B.31/126, Kamachha, Varanasi. Devotees can reach this place in rickshaw from anywhere in Kashi as Kamachha and Batuk Bhairav are famous places. Some people say that Krodhan Bhairav is the small Bhairav located adjacent to Kamakhya Devi in the temple nearby.

The place of worship is open from 05.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon and from 04.00 p.m. to 12.00 p.m. Aarties are conducted in the morning and evening.

Kapal Bhairav

Kapal Bhairav (Laat Bhairav) is located at A.1/123, Alaipur. This falls almost on the outskirts of Varanasi towards the North Eastern side. Devotees can travel in a rickshaw/auto to reach this place. From Ashapur Chowmani, the road to the left goes to Sarnath. Devotees should take the road to the right and travel about 2 kms. to reach Laat Bhairav.

The place of worship is open from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 06.00 p.m. to 09.00 p.m. The timings are extremely flexible. Devotees can worship this deity as per their convenience.

Asitang Bhairav

Asitang Bhairav is located at K.52/39, Maha Mrityunjay temple near Vriddh Kaleshwar. Devotees can reach this place by rickshaw by travelling through Bisheshwarganj G.P.O. Mrityunjay temple is quite famous.

The place of worship is open throughout the day. Devotees can worship this deity as per their convenience.

Chand Bhairav

Chand Bhairav is located in the temple premises of Durga Devi at B.27/2, Durga Kund. This is a famous locality and devotees can reach this place by rickshaw or auto or car.

This place of worship is open throughout the day. Devotees can worship this deity as per their convenience.

Ruru Bhairav

Ruru Bhairav, also called as Anand Bhairav by locals, is located at B.4/16, Hanuman Ghat, Varanasi. Devotees can travel upto this place in a rickshaw. Hanuman Ghat is near Harishchandra Ghat, one of the cremation grounds and is a famous place. Devotees will have to get down at Hanuman Ghat main Road and walk towards the Hanuman Temple which is located near Ruru Bhairav.

The place of worship is open from 05.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 05.00 p.m. to 09.30 p.m. Aarties are conducted in the morning and evening.

Varanasi

Varanasi is a city on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (200 mi) southeast of the state capital, Lucknow. It is holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism. Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India.Unfortunately many of its temples were plundered and destroyed by Mohammad Ghauri in the 12th century. The temples and religious institutions in the city now are of 18th century vintage. he Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kashi) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi, and an essential part of all religious celebrations. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the Ganges. The city has been a cultural center of North India for several thousand years, and has a history that is older than most of the major world religions. The Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians live or have lived in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi.

Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India. Scholarly books have been written in the city, including the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas. Today there is a temple of his namesake in the city, the Tulsi Manas Mandir. The largest residential University of Asia, Benares Hindu University is located here. People often refer to Varanasi as “the city of temples”, “the holy city of India”, “the religious capital of India”, “the city of lights”, “the city of learning”, and “the oldest living city on earth.

History of Varanasi

According to legend, Varanasi was founded by the god Shiva.The Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata are also stated to have visited the city in search of Shiva to atone for their sins of fratricide and bramhanahatya that they had committed during the climactic Kurukshetra war. It is regarded as one of seven holy cities which can provide Moksha:

“Ayodhya, 2 Mathura, 3 Gaya, 4 Kasi, 5 Kanchi, 6 Avantika, 7 Dwaravati, 8–these seven cities should be known as the givers of liberation.

The earliest known archaeological evidence suggests that settlement around Varanasi in the Middle Ages in the Ganga valley (the seat of Aryan religion and philosophy), began in the 11th or 12th century BCE, placing it among the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities.These remains suggest that the Varanasi area was populated by Vedic people. However, the Atharvaveda (the oldest known text referencing the city), which dates to approximately the same period, suggests that the area was populated by indigenous tribes. It is possible that archaeological evidence of these previous inhabitants has yet to be discovered. Varanasi was also home to Parshva, the 23rd Jain Tirthankara and the earliest Tirthankara that is accepted as a historical figure, in the 8th century BCE.

Varanasi grew as an important industry centre, famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. During the time of Gautama Buddha (born circa 567 BCE), Varanasi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kashi.[16] Buddha is believed to have founded Buddhism here around 528 BCE when he gave his first sermon, “Turning the Wheel of Law”, at nearby Sarnath. The celebrated Chinese traveler Xuanzang, who visited the city around 635 CE, attested that the city was a centre of religious and artistic activities, and that it extended for about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) along the western bank of the Ganges. Hiuen Tsiang also visited Varanasi in the 7th century; he named it “Polonisse” and wrote that the city had some 30 temples with about 30 monks. The city’s religious importance continued to grow in the 8th century CE, when Adi Shankara established the worship of Shiva as an official sect of Varanasi.

In ancient times, Varanasi was connected by a road starting from Taxila and ending at Pataliputra during the Mauryan Empire. In 1194, the city succumbed to Muslim rule under Qutb-ud-din Aibak, who ordered the destruction of some one thousand temples in the city. The city went into decline over some three centuries of Muslim occupation, and although new temples were erected in the 13th century, after the Afghan invasion. Feroz Shah ordered further destruction of Hindu temples in the Varanasi area in 1376. The Muslim ruler Sikander Lodi continued the suppression of Hinduism in the city and destroyed most of the remaining older temples in 1496. Despite the Muslim rule, Varanasi remained the centre of activity for intellectuals and theologians during the Middle Ages, which further contributed to its reputation as a cultural centre of religion and education. Several major figures of the Bhakti movement were born in Varanasi, such as Kabir who was born here in 1389, hailed as “the most outstanding of the saint-poets of Bhakti cult (devotion) and mysticism of 15th Century India”, and Ravidas, a 15th century socio-religious reformer, mystic, poet, traveler, and spiritual figure, who was born and lived in the city, employed in the tannery industry. Similarly, numerous eminent scholars and preachers visited the city from across India and south Asia. Guru Nanak Dev visited Varanasi for Shivratri in 1507, a trip that played a large role in the founding of Sikhism.

In the 16th century, Varanasi experienced a cultural revival under the Mughal emperor Akbar who invested in the city, and built two large temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The Raja of Poona established the Annapurnamandir and the 200 metres (660 ft) Akbari Bridge was also completed during this period. The earliest tourists began arriving in the city during the 16th century. In 1665, the French traveller Jean Baptiste Tavernier described the architectural beauty of Vindu Madhava temple at the side of the Ganges. The road infrastructure was also improved during this period and extended from Kolkata to Peshawar by Emperor Sher Shah Suri; later during the British Raj it came to be known as the famous Grand Trunk Road. In 1656, emperor Aurangzeb ordered the destruction of many temples and the building of mosques in the city and the city temporarily experienced a setback. However, after Aurangazeb’s death, most of India was ruled by a confederacy of pro-Hindu kings. Much of modern Varanasi was built during this time by the Rajput and Maratha kings, especially during the 18th century, and most of the important buildings in the city today date to this period. The kings continued to be important through much of the British rule (1775–1947 AD), including the maharaja of Benares, or Kashi Naresh. The kingdom of Benares was given official status by the Mughals in 1737, and continued as a dynasty governed area up until Indian independence in 1947, during the reign of Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. In the 18th century, Muhammad Shah ordered the construction of an observatory on the Ganges, attached to Man Mandir Ghat, to discover imperfections in the calendar and to revise existing astronomical tables. Tourism in the city began to flourish in the 18th century. In 1791, under the rule of British Governor-General Warren Hastings, Jonathan Duncan founded a Sanskrit College in Varanasi. In 1867, the establishment of the Varanasi Municipal Board led to significant improvements in the city.

In 1897, Mark Twain, the renowned Indophile, said of Varanasi, “Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” In 1910, the British made Varanasi a new Indian state, with Ramanagar as its headquarters but with no jurisdiction over the city of Varanasi itself. Kashi Naresh still resides in the fort of Ramanagar. The Ramnagar Fort of the Kashi Naresh is situated to the east of Varanasi, across the Ganges. Ramnagar Fort and its museum are the repository of the history of the kings of Benares and since the 18th century has been the home of Kashi Naresh, deeply revered by the people of Vanarasi. He is the religious head and some religious people of Benares consider him the incarnation of Shiva. He is also the chief cultural patron and an essential part of all religious celebrations.

A massacre by British troops, of the Indian troops stationed here and of the population of the city, took place during the early stages of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Annie Besant worked in Benares to promote theosophy and founded the Central Hindu College which later became a foundation for the creation of Benaras Hindu University as a secular university in 1916. Her purpose in founding the Central Hindu College in Varanasi was that she “wanted to bring men of all religions together under the ideal of brotherhood in order to promote Indian cultural values and to remove ill-will among different section of the Indian population.”

Benares was ceded to the Union of India on 15 October 1948. After the death of Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh in 2000, his son Anant Narayan Singh became the figurehead king, responsible for upholding the traditional duties of a Kashi Naresh. On March 7, 2006, bombs planted by terrorists exploded at Sankatmochan Temple and the railway station, killing at least 28 people and injuring over 100 people.

Other Temples in Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Hindi: काशी विश्वनाथ मंदिर) is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Varanasi, the Holiest existing Place of Hindus, where at least once in life a Hindu is expected to do pilgrimage, and if possible, also pour the remains of cremated ancestors on the River Ganges. It is in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganges, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. The main deity is known by the name Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara meaning the Ruler of the universe. The temple town claims to be the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history is also called Kashi and hence the temple is popularly called as Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The temple has been referred to in Hindu theology for a very long time and as a central part of worship in the Shaiva philosophy. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. The Gyanvapi Mosque is adjacent to the temple. The current structure was built by the Maratha monarch, Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780. Since 1983, the temple is being managed by Govt. of Uttar Pradesh. During the religious occasion of Shivratri, Kashi Naresh (King of Kashi) is the chief officiating priest and no other person or priest is allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum. It is only after he performs his religious functions that others are allowed to enter.

History of Kashi Vishwanath Temple

A Shiva temple has been mentioned in Puranas including Kashi Khanda (section) of Skanda Purana.In 490 AD, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple was built.In 11th Century AD, Hari Chandra constructed a temple. Muhammad Ghori destroyed it along with other temples of Varanasi during his raid in 1194. Reconstruction of the temple started soon after. This was demolished by Qutb-ud-din Aibak.[9] After Aibak’s death the temple was again rebuilt by many Hindu emperors.In 1351 it was destroyed again by Firuz Shah Tughlaq.[11] The temple was rebuilt in 1585 by Todar Mal, the Revenue Minister of Akbar’s Court. Aurangzeb ordered its demolition in 1669 and constructed Gyanvapi Mosque, which still exists alongside the temple. Traces of the old temple can be seen behind the mosque. It is said that the Shiv-Linga was thrown in the well and the original Shiv-linga now resides there. The current temple was built by Ahilya Bai Holkar, the Hindu Maratha queen of Malwa kingdom, in 1780.Many noble families from various ancestral kingdoms (states) of India and their prior establishments, make generous contributions for operations of the temple.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is one of the sacred temples of Hindu god Hanuman in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is situated by the Assi river, on the way to the Durga and New Vishwanath temples within the Banaras Hindu University campus. Sankat Mochan in Hindi means reliever from troubles.[citation needed] The current temple structure was built in early 1900s by the educationist and freedom fighter, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder Banaras Hindu University. Hanuman Jayanti, the birthday of Hanuman, is celebrated in fanfare, during which a special shobha yatra, a procession starting from Durgakund adjacent to the historic Durga temple to Sankat Mochan, is carried out.

In the temple, offerings to Lord Hanuman (called Prasad) are sold like the special sweet “besan ke ladoo”, which the devotees relish; and the idol is also decked with a pleasant marigold flower garland as well. This temple has the unique distinction of having Lord Hanuman facing his Lord, Rama, whom he worshiped with steadfast and selfless devotion.

History of Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

It is believed that temple has been built on the very spot where Tulsidas had a vision of Hanuman. Sankat Mochan Temple was founded by Tulsidas who was the author of the Ramacharitamanasa, which is the Hindi version of the Hindu epic Ramayana originally written by Valmiki. Tradition promises that regular visitors to the temple will gain special favor of Hanuman. Every Tuesday and Saturday thousands of people queue up in front of temple to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman. According to Vedic Astrology, Hanuman saves human beings from the anger of the planet Shani (Saturn), and people having an ill-placed Saturn in their horoscopes especially visit this temple for astrological remedies. This is supposed to be the most effective way for appeasing Shani. While it is suggested that Hanuman did not hesitate in engulfing in his mouth the sun, the lord of all planets, humbling all the gods and angel, making them worship him for Sun’s release. Some astrologers believe that worshiping Hanuman can neutralize the ill-effect of Mangal (Mars) and practically any planet that has ill effect on human life.

Annapurna Temple

Near the Kashi Vishwanath temple, there is a nice temple of Devi Annapurna , believed as the “Godess of Fooding”.

Sankatha Temple

Near the Sindhia Ghat , there is a important temple of “Godess of Remedy” Devi Sankatha. Inside its premises there is a huge statue of a Lion. Also there is nine temples of nine planets nearby to this temple.

BHAIRAV MANDIR VARANASI

It is the ancient temple of Varanasi near the Head Post Office, VishesharGanj. God KalBhairav is believed as “Kotwal Of Varanasi” , Without His Permission No One Can Stay In Kashi.

Mritunjay Mahadev Temple

On the route of Daranagar to Kalbhairav temple this temple of Lord Shiva is situated . Just besides this temple there is a Well of much religious importance , whose water is said to be mixture of several underground streams and good for eliminating several diseases.

New Vishwanath Temple

Situated in the premises of Banaras Hindu University, a modern place of worship planned by Pandit Malviya and built by the Birlas. Open to all, irrespective of caste or creed.

Tulsi Manas Temple

Constructed by family of Varanasi, this modern temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. It is situated at the place Where Tulisdas, the great medieval seer, lived and wrote the epic “Shri Ramcharitmanas”, which narrates the life of Lord Rama, the hero of the Ramayana. Verses from Tulidas’s epic are inscribed on the walls. It is just nearby to Durga Temple.

Durga Temple

Commonly called the ‘Monkey temple’, it was built in the 18th century. Although it is one of the best-known temple. There is nice stonework done of the temple , it is the nice example of NAGRA Shilp. Godess DURGA is believed as the symbol of Strength and Power which govern the entire world. There is a pond adjacent to the temple called “Durgakund”.

Bharat Mata Temple

This Temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 and houses one perfect relief maps of India carved out of marble.The Temple was gifted by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta (Barat Ratana ) and shri Durga Prasad Khatri, leading numismatists and antiquarians.

The temple is located in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth campus, Varanasi. The idol of Bharat Mata is built in marble and is a model of undivided India, depicting the mountains, plains and oceans. The temple also houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble.It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. The Temple was gifted by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta (later awarded Bharat Ratna) and shri Durga Prasad Khatri, leading numismatists and antiquarians. Mahatma Gandhi said, “I hope this temple, which will serve as a cosmopolitan platform for people of all religions, castes, and creeds including Harijans, will go a great way in promoting religious unity, peace, and love in the country.”

Ghats in Varanasi

Ghats in Varanasi are an integral complimentary to the concept of divinity represented in physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. All the ghats are locations on “the divine cosmic road,” indicative of “its manifest transcendental dimension.” Varanasi has at least 84 ghats. 86, 87, 88 Steps in the ghats (ghats are embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions) lead to the banks of River Ganges, including the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat, the Panchganga Ghat and the Harishchandra Ghat (where Hindus cremate their dead). Many ghats are associated with legends and several are now privately owned. Many of the ghats were built when the city was under Maratha control. Marathas, Shindes (Scindias), Holkars, Bhonsles, and Peshwas stand out as patrons of present-day Varanasi. Most of the ghats are bathing ghats, while others are used as cremation sites. Morning boat ride on the Ganges across the ghats is a popular visitors attraction. The miles and miles of ghats makes for the lovely river front with multitude of shrines, temples and palaces built “tier on tier above the water’s edge”.

The Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main and probably the oldest ghat of Varansi located on the Ganges, close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is believed that the god Brahma created it to welcome Shiva and he also sacrificed ten horses during Dasa -Ashwamedha yajna performed here. Above the ghat and close to it, there are also temples dedicated to Sulatankesvara, Brahmesvara, Varahesvara, Abhaya Vinayaka, Ganga (the Ganges), and Bandi Devi which are part of important pilgrimage journeys. A group of priests perform “Agni Pooja” (Worship to Fire) daily in the evening at this ghat as a dedication to Shiva, Ganga, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe. Special aartis are held on Tuesdays and on religious festivals.

The Manikarnika Ghat is the Mahasmasana (meaning: “great cremation ground”) and is the primary site for Hindu cremation in the city. Adjoining the ghat, there are raised platforms that are used for death anniversary rituals. It is said that an ear-ring (Manikarnika) of Shiva or his wife Sati fell here. According to a myth related to the Tarakesvara Temple, a Shiva temple at the ghat, Shiva whispers the Taraka mantra (“Prayer of the crossing”) in the ear of the dead. Fourth-century Gupta period inscriptions mention this ghat. However, the current ghat as a permanent river side embankment was built in the 1302 and has been renovated at least thrice

Varanasi has nearly 100 ghats, steps leading to the banks of River Ganges. Many of the ghats were built when the city was under Maratha control. Marathas, Shindes (Scindias), Holkars, Bhonsles, and Peshwes (Peshwas) stand out as patrons of present-day Varanasi. Most of the ghats are bathing ghats, while others are used as cremation sites. Many ghats are associated with legends or mythologies while many ghats are privately owned. The former Kashi Naresh owns Shivala or Kali ghat. Morning boat ride on the Ganges across the ghats is a popular visitors attraction.

List of Ghats

Mata Anandamai Ghat	Manasarovara Ghat
Assi Ghat	Mangala Gauri Ghat
Ahilya Ghat	Manikarnika Ghat
Adi Keshava Ghat	Mehta Ghat
Ahilyabai Ghat	Meer Ghat
Badri Nayarana Ghat	Munshi Ghat
Bajirao Ghat	Nandesavara Ghat
Bauli Ghat	Narada Ghat
Bhadaini Ghat	Naya Ghat
Bhonsale Ghat	Nepali Ghat
Brahma Ghat	Niranjani Ghat
Bundi Parakota Ghat	Nishad Ghat
Chaowki Ghat	Old Hanumanana Ghat
Chausatthi Ghat	Pancaganga Ghat
Cheta Singh Ghat	Panchkota
Dandi Ghat	Pandey Ghat
Darabhanga Ghat	Phuta Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat	Prabhu Ghat
Digpatia Ghat	Prahalada Ghat
Durga Ghat	Prayaga Ghat
Ganga Mahal Ghat (I)	Raj Ghat
Ganga Mahal Ghat (II)	Raja Ghat
Gaay Ghat	Bridge
Genesha Ghat	Raja Gwalior Ghat
Gola Ghat	Rajendra Prasad Ghat
Gularia Ghat	Ram Ghat
Hanuman Ghat	Rana Mahala Ghat
Hanumanagardhi Ghat	Rewan Ghat
Harish Chandra Ghat	Sakka Ghat
Jain Ghat	Sankatha Ghat
Jalasayi Ghat	Sarvesvara Ghat
Janaki Ghat	Scindia Ghat
Jatara Ghat	Shivala Ghat
Karnataka State Ghat	Shitala Ghat
Kedar Ghat	Sitala Ghat
Khirkia Ghat	Somesvara Ghat
Khori Ghat	Telianala Ghat
Lala Ghat	Trilochana Ghat
Lali Ghat	Tripura Bhairavi Ghat
Lalita Ghat	Tulsi Ghat
Mahanirvani Ghat	Vaccharaja Ghat
Mana Mandira Ghat	Venimadhava Ghat
	Vijayanagaram Ghat