Tilbhandeshwar Temple Varanasi

It is rightly said that “Kashi mai har kankar kankar mai Shankar hai”. This Anandavana is a splendid site of Shaivism which is home to the numerous shrines of Mahadev along with the most reputed jyotirlinga of Lord Vishwanath.

Through the narrow lanes... 

Located in Bhelupur, Tilbhandeswar is one of the biggest shiva-lingas in Kasi. It is a huge round dome shaped Swayambu Linga with around 15 feet diameter. It is supposed to be increasing in bulk by the size of one til every day. Hence, it is named as Tilbhandeswara. In present day it is about 20 feet in height.

Entrance- Thilbhandeswar Mahadev temple

According to the legend of Kedar-Khand during olden times, the site at which the present temple is located used to be sesame/Til fields. One day suddenly some farmers noticed origination of a Shiva Linga in the Til field.  From then people around started worshipping it and offering Til to him. Henceforth, the Swayambu Linga here is known as Tilbhandeswar.

The present day temple was built by a king of Vijayanagara Dynasty.

Tilbhandeswar- the Swayambu Linga

It is said that Lord Shani himself did penance to the Linga here to get relieved from difficulties of his life by offering Til which were his favorite. Thus the Linga here came to be known as Tilbhandeswar and it is believed that he remove the grievances of the devotees associated with Shani. He is offered til and til oil on lines of Lord Shani.

According to another legend a rishi named Vibandha did penance here at this site. Lord Shiva blessed him in the form of a Swayambu Linga and told that it will increase everyday in the size of one Til in the Kalyug.

It is said that Mata Sharada resided here for some period of time which further increased the prominence of the site.

walls of the main shrine

Evidences of Mohammadan attacks are clearly seen on the mighty linga.

It is said that the British tried to measure the growth of the Tilbhandeswar by tying ropes around and the following morning the ropes were found broken.

Nandhi lies crouching in the verandah opposite the idol.

Nandhi in front of Mahadev

On either side of the main temple are small shrines of various gods.

The idol of Dakshinamurthy caught my attention. It is on the posterior wall of the main temple. It is seldom found in Benares as Shiva is almost always worshipped here through the phallic symbol- Linga.

Lord Dakshinamurthy- rare sight in Benares

The veranda of the temple is beautifully embellished.

In the courtyard- an artefact

on the wall- an old rare painting of  Lord Hanuman

There lies an Ayyappa swamy temple on the right while ascending the steps to reach Tilbhandeswar.

This is one among the prominent minor shrines of Varanasi which should be in your bucket list when you visit here.