Chandreshwar Temple, Kashi

Chandreshwar Temple is the Yoga Siddha Pitha where Chandra worshiped Lord Shiva. This temple is a home to Chandra Kupa which can predict the death of a person.

Kashi is a holy city of Lord Shiva. It is only in Kashi that Lord Vishwanatha is awarding all the dying souls, the rama taraka mantra. Lord Shiva roams within the lanes of Kashi as an avadhuta, a transcendental and divine being who is always absorbed in the thoughts of Lord Ramachandra’s lotus feet.

Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, Kurma Purana, Linga Purana, and many other Puranas glorify the divine city of Kashi. Even the topmost Purana – The Bhagavata Purana glorifies Kashi to be the best of the tirthas – kshetraanaam chaiva sarveshaam yathaa kaashi hy anuttama (SB 12.13.17)

The Navagrahas Shivalingas in Kashi

There are so many shiva-lingas in Kashi that there is no place to keep even a tila seed. In every particle of Kashi one can experience the divine Super Particle – Lord Shiva. There are at least 2500 recorded shiva-lingas based on the descriptions in the above-mentioned Puranas. It is almost impossible to see all these shiva-lingas in one lifetime.

Puranas and acharyas have classified these shiva-lingas into categories so that the living entity can take advantage and visit them. One such classification is of the Navagraha Shivalingas. There are nine shivalingas in Kashi which are installed by the predominating Deity of each planet. Just by worshiping these shivalingas one can be warded off the evil effects of these planets.

One such Shivalinga is of Chandreshwar Mahadev. Chandreshwar Temple is within the Siddheshwari Temple of Kashi. It is revered as the Yoga Siddha Pitha which is not easily accessible to the condition souls. The fourth chapter of Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana elucidates the importance of this temple in the conversation between the Vishnudutas and the brahmana Shiva Sharma.

The origin of Chandreshwar Temple

Atri Muni was born from the mind of Lord Brahma. It is said that Atri Muni performed an intense tapasya for 3000 cosmic years due to which an effulgent semen got created in his body. Chandra was born from this semen.

This divine fluid began oozing out from his body and spread in ten directions. Looking at this, Lord Brahma ordered ten predominating devis of ten directions to accept that fluid and give birth to a child out of it. But the devis could not handle that powerful semen into their garbha for a longer time, due to which they fell to Earth, along with just born Soma, the Moon God.

Looking at the fallen Soma, Lord Brahma picked him up, made him to sit on a chariot and got him perform 21 pradashinas of Bhumandala. From the effulgence of Soma which fell on Earth, medicinal herbs were born. After being blessed by Lord Brahma, Soma came to Kashi, established the amrita linga called Chandreshwar Mahadev and performed tapasya for hundred quadrillion years.

Pleased by the austerities of Soma, Lord Shiva adorned one of Chandra’s forms on his head. Lord Shiva also awarded him the kingship over medicines, water and brahmanas. After attaining a great kingdom due to the mercy of Lord Shiva, Chandra performed one lakh Rajasuya yajnas in Kashi, beside the Chandreshwar Shivalinga.

Lord Brahma presided over this yajna, and it was executed by great rshis such as Atri, Bhrigu and Marichi. Pleased by Chandra’s tapasya and the Rajasuya yajnas, Lord Rudra gave him darshan. He blessed Chandra that the whole world would be pleased by looking at the moon rise. The cooling and soothing rays of the moon would negate the scorching heat of Sun.

Lord Shiva disclosed that he would stay personally with Parvati Devi in the Chandreshwar linga on every purnima day. Anyone who served this Shivalinga in any way would be blessed multifold times. This sacred place where Chandra performed tapasya was a great yoga pitha known as Siddheshwari Pitha where many higher living beings benefited.

Mother Siddheshwari is the prime energy of Lord Shiva. The sadhaka would easily reach perfection and attain siddhis, just by having darshan of this pitha.

Chandra Kupa – the well which can predict death

There is a sacred well within Chandreshwar Temple. While Chandra was performing tapasya, he created a well called Amritoda Kupa. He used this well while he was engaged in the worship of Lord Shiva.

Anyone who drinks the water of this well or takes bath in it, is rid from ignorance, and achieves knowledge of the self. The performance of tarpana from Chandra Kupa shall be very satisfying to one’s ancestors. Just a darshan of the sacred water contained in this well, will please the pitrs most.

Chandra Kupa can predict the death of a person who peeps into it. When a person peeps inside the well, if the reflection of that person is seen in the water of the well, it means that the person will live longer. But, if the reflection is not seen, the person will die in the next six months.

Temple Timings of Chandreshwar Temple

The Chandreshwar Temple is open throughout the day. The temple timings are as follows:

Temple opens at 5 am in the morning

Temple closes at 8 pm in the night

The temple is generally crowded on the poornima days and the somavati amavasya day when lot of devotees visiting the temple worship Chandreshwar Mahadev. Rest of the time, Chandreshwar Temple remains almost empty, and devotees can perform the worship peacefully.

How to reach Chandreshwar Temple?

Chandreshwar Temple is in the deep lanes of Kashi. Locating this temple by oneself is a challenge. It is better to travel on the organized Kashi Tour with Tirtha Yatra to worship in this temple. All the arrangements are well taken care of while you focus only on the temples.

To reach this temple on own, you may take up the following route:

By Air – Varanasi International Airport is the nearest Airport to Kashi. After you reach Kashi, take up local taxi to reach the temple. And walk for some distance to hunt for it.

By Rail – Varanasi has got a railway station which is connected wih the major cities of Bharat. From the railway station, regular taxis are available to hire to reach the temple.

By Roadways – Varanasi is well connected with State Road Transport Service buses. Buses to Varanasi are available from New Delhi, Prayagraj, Lucknow and many other neighboring cities. From the bus stand you may hire a auto or taxi to reach the temple.