Dandapani Temple, Kashi

Dandapani Temple is a very important temple in Kashi along with the likes of Kaal Bhairav Temple and Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is in the Vishwanath Galli area of Kashi very close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Lord Dandapani was appointed by Lord Shiva as the administrator of Kashi. He punishes the wicked in Kashi and drives them out with his danda. Also decides who comes into Kashi apart from protecting the righteous residents.

He resides in His Dandapani temple to the south of the Vishwanath temple strictly on the orders of Lord Vishwanath. The very word Dandapani implies ‘the wielder of the stick’. He is said to be tawny in complexion and wields a Danda (stick). Hence, a devotee should first have his darshan in Kashi before proceeding for the darshan of Lord Vishwanath as per the Skanda Purana. He was earlier known as Harikesha.

Lord Shiva had named him as Dandapani and authorized him as seen below from the Skanda Purana:

tvaṃ daṃḍapāṇirbhava nāmato’dhunā sarvāngaṇāñchādhi mamājñayotkaṭān |
gaṇāvimau tvāmanuyāyinau sadā nāmnā yathārthau nṛṣu saṃbhramodbhramau |

“Now you shall be named Dandapani. At my behest control the ferocious Gaṇas. These two attendants shall always follow you. Their names are true to their meaning i.e., Sambhrama and Udbhrama.”

Sambhrama and Udbhrama are the two assistants of Lord Dandapani who enforce his will. As an assistant of Annapurna Devi, he feeds the needy in Kashi. His Danda is a pillar-fragment from the Mahasmashana pillar at Lat Bhairav in a small shrine near Kaal Bhairav Temple.

Dandapani Temple: The Origin

The pastime of the manifestation of Lord Dandapani at Dandapani Temple is spoken by Skanda in the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana. He narrates the pastime to Sage Agastya who was very inquisitive to hear the glories and the manifestation of Lord Dandapani.

On the Gandhamadana mountain lived a Yaksha by the name Ratnabhadra, who only performed pious activities. He had a son by the name Purnabhadra. After enjoying his worldly life, he left his material body by the process of Shambhava Yoga. After the death of his father, Purnabhadra too started enjoying all the pleasures of worldly life which were acquired righteously. He had all pleasures in his palace except the pleasure of a child’s sweet talk. He lamented about his misfortune to his wife Kanakakundala.

Hearing the lamenting of her husband, the wise Kanakakundala consoled and counselled her husband Purnabhadra that there is no wish which shall remain unfulfilled if a devotee pleases Lord Shiva. Purnabhadra, who was an expert in music pleased Lord Shiva with his musical talent.

True to Kanakakundala’s counsel, Purnabhadra was happy to hear the good news that his wife was pregnant. She soon delivered a son who was named Harikesha. As Harikesha turned eight years old, he started becoming very much devoted to Lord Shiva. He would make Shivalingas even from the earth and worship it enthusiastically with leaves and grass. He called his playmates by the various names of Lord Shiva such as Chandrasekhara, Shambhu, Pinakin, Pashupathi, Virupaksha, etc. He couldn’t think of anything else other than the names of Lord Shiva.

He saw only the forms of Lord Shiva, ate only food offered to Lord Shiva, recited only the names of Lord Shiva, smelled things that were only connected to Lord Shiva and went only to the courtyard where Lord Shiva resided. At nights, Harikesha used to wake up saying “O Three-eyed One, wait for a moment. Where do you go?”

Seeing the devotional fervour of Harikesha, his father Purnabhadra told him about the various luxuries that he was destined to enjoy. Harikesha did not give importance to his father’s words. Once, when Harikesha saw his father very angry with red eyes, he became afraid and left home on the pretext of taking a bath. He was confused and started praying to Lord Shiva as to where he would go now that he has been thrown out by his father.

Harikesha started reflecting on the glories of Kashi he had heard from a Sadhu who had come to his father’s court . Remembering the glories of Kashi, Harikesha decided to go to Kashi. After reaching Kashi, Harikesha engaged in penances and austerities for pleasing Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva entered Kashi after some time along with his consort Parvathi Devi. He pointed around Kashi and explained the glories of Kashi to his beloved consort. While explaining the glories of Kashi, Lord Shiva noticed Harikesha, who was performing penances at the root of an Ashoka tree.

On seeing the austere form of Harikesha, Parvathi Devi submitted the following before her dear most Lord Shiva: “O Lord, fulfil the desire of this devotee of yours by means of the proper boon. His body is completely dried through very severe austerities. Do bless him through boons granted to this Yakṣa.”

Accompanied by Parvathi Devi, Lord Shiva touched Harikesha who was deep in penance with his eyes closed. Harikesha opened his eyes as soon as he was touched by the Lord. He couldn’t believe his eyes that the three eyed Shambhu, his dear most Lord was standing right in front of him.

Harikesha, with a choked throat said in a soft tone “Victory unto you, O Isha, Shambu, Lord of Girija, O Shankara, O trident-handed one, O lord with the crescent moon as crest-jewel. O compassionate one, being touched by your lotus-like hand my tender body has become immortal.”

Lord Shiva, who is very compassionate to the living souls, especially his devotees, granted many boons to Harikesha. He blessed Harikesha by saying the following words:

“With my blessing, O Yakṣa, be the permanent Dandadhara (‘Wielder of the rod of justice’) of this holy spot that is dear to me. From today onwards you shall be my favourite one, the punisher of the wicked and the good protector of the meritorious. Now you shall be named Dandapani. At my behest control the ferocious Gaṇas. These two attendants shall always follow you. Their names are true to their meaning, i.e., Saṃbhrama and Udbhrama to men.

You are to give the final embellishment to the residents of Kashi, consisting of a blue mark in the neck, snakes for bracelets, a fine eye in the forehead, wearing the hide of an elephant and the left side characterized by (the presence of) a beautiful woman. On the head, the tawny matted hairs shall be had; the meritorious body should be smeared with ash, the whole body should have a fine splendour with the digit of the crescent moon and moving in slow gait like that of a graceful bull.

You are always the bestower of cooked food to the residents of Kashi; you alone infuse them with vital breath; you grant them knowledge; you grant them salvation through the advice from my mouth; you will give them a steady and permanent abode. O Pingala, you will harass sinners completely and creating confusion among them, you will drive them out (of Kashi). In a moment you will bring devotees from afar. You will be the bestower of salvation (on them).

Even a person highly devoted to me shall not get an opportunity to stay in Kashi without devotion to you. Hence, O Dandapani, be the chief recipient of honour among the Gaṇas, Devas and men. Only he who, after performing the rites of libation in the Jnanoda Tirtha (i.e., Jnanavapi), propitiates you, the chief of the Ganas, shall be fully satisfied as having done his duty. With the unparalleled blessings of mine, he shall be meritorious.

O Dandapani, you be here always in the southern direction, just in front of my eyes, punishing living beings of wicked activities and granting freedom from fear to your own men. Stay here.”

After giving Harikesha all these boons and naming him Dandapani, Lord Shiva mounted his bull along with Parvathi Devi and went away. Ever since this auspicious meeting, Harikesha has been guarding Kashi as Dandapani perfectly on behalf of Lord Shiva.

Dandapani Temple timings

Dandapani Temple is a small shrine. It is quite difficult to trace. Lord Dandapani stands in his Deity form wielding a Danda. You can have the darshan of Lord Dandapani at Dandapani temple from 6 AM in the morning to 8 PM at night i.e., 6 AM – 8 PM.

How do you reach Dandapani Temple?

Dandapani temple being located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Kashi, you will have to plan your trip to Kashi first. Moreover, meeting Lord Dandapani and even Lord Kaal Bhairav is the first priority in Kashi even before you think of Kashi Vishwanath. Make sure you plan your trip with the utmost devotion to Dandapani Temple, who is the administrator of Kashi. You need his permission to stay in Kashi for the remainder of your trip.

Without visiting Dandapani Temple one’s Kashi is not considered to be complete. Hence visiting Dandapani Temple must be on the bucketlist while visiting Kashi

If you travel with Tirtha Yatra on their Kashi Yatra, you need not worry about locating the Dandapani Temple in Kashi. Be it the etiquette to be followed or the places to be visited.

The regular transportation methods can be availed to reach Kashi. They are:

By Road: Kashi is well connected by road to major cities in India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, etc. You can travel in a private vehicle from other cities or hire a taxi. Luxury buses and normal buses are available from Lucknow frequently.

By Rail: Kashi is very well connected to major cities and towns in India via the five railway stations i.e., Kashi Railway Station, Varanasi Junction (also called Varanasi Cantt), Varanasi City, Banaras Railway Station and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. Tickets can be reserved up-to any one of these five stations.

By Air: Kashi is accessible by air through the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport at Babatpur near Kashi. Domestic and International flights are available from and to the airport. From there, you can take a prepaid taxi to reach the city centre.