Puja at Kardmeshwar Temple

Puja at Kardmeshwar Temple is very significant one. There are hundreds of big and small temples in and around Varanasi dedicated to different deities. Many of these are significant not only for their exalted properties as they attract a large number of devotees from all directions, but they are also aesthetically remarkable for exquisite architectural and sculptural renderings. Some are profusely decorated with beautiful stone carvings and paintings. KARDAMESHVARA TEMPLE, KANDAWA (12th century) is dedicated to Lord Shiva and archaeologically is supposed to be the earliest surviving temple of Varanasi.

SIGNIFICANCE OF PUJA AT KARDMESHWAR TEMPLE

• The presiding deity is Lord Shiva.
• Kardmeshwar of Kasi is said to be equivalent to the Kedareshwar of Himalayas.
• The Kasi Kedara mahatmya tells that Lord Kedareshwar kept his fifteen kalas in Kasi and he is in Kedareshwar only with his sixteenth kala.
• Kardmeshwar appeared in Kasi from the food made up of Green gram, kept as Naivedya to him, by the king Mandhata.