What are the darshan timings for this temple?

Most temples in Varanasi open early in the morning around 4:00 AM and close by 10:00 PM. It is best to visit during the morning aarti or evening aarti.

Is there an entry fee?

No, entry to most temples in Varanasi is free. However, special pooja or expedited darshan lines at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple may have a fee.

What is the dress code?

Devotees are requested to wear modest clothing. Shoulders and knees should be covered. In some ancient temples, traditional dhotis for men and sarees for women are preferred.

Are cameras allowed inside?

Photography is generally restricted inside the inner sanctum of major temples. Please check with security at the entrance. In the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, mobile phones are strictly prohibited.

Can foreigners enter the temples?

Yes, most temples in Varanasi are open to all regardless of nationality. However, the inner sanctum of some private family temples might have restrictions.

Shool Tankeshwar Temple

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 69, the place where Lord Shiva wore the skin of Gajasur after slaying the latter, was called Rudra Vasam. (Kindly refer to Krithi Vaseshwar). Once the Lord, in his form as Krithi Vaseshwar, was sitting alongwith Goddess Uma Devi when Nandi offered his prayers and stated that there were 68 places of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva in this holy place. Various idols/Shiv Lings have been brought from several other places by Nandi and installed in Kashi. Near Prayag Teerth one can find Shool Tankeshwar Ling. A devotee who takes bath religiously in Prayag Teerth and worships Shool Tankeshwar, will attain the benefits equivalent to hundred times the benefits which would have accrued to him, had he taken bath in Prayag (Sangam – Allahabad). Besides, the devotees will find all round happiness and will attain Moksha. Here one point is worth mentioning. When river Ganga approached Kashi with a violent force, Lord Shiva threw his Trishul (Trident) hard into the ground, just before the entry point to the South of Kashi. By this action, Ganga had to slow down her force and she agreed to flow gently through Kashi and that she would always remain in Kashi, giving happiness to the residents thereat. Scientifically speaking, the River Ganga is perennial in Kashi and at some points, even during the dry summer, the depth is over 130 feet. Accordingly, people believe that Shool Tankeshwar temple is at a point almost 2 Kms. South of Assi. But according to Kashi Khand, the place has been mentioned in the vicinity of Prayag Teerth, which is almost a part of Dasaswamedh. Shool Tankeshwar is located at Dasaswamedh Ghat steps. People can reach Dasaswamedh by rickshaw and climb down the steps towards the Ghat. The temple is quite famous, also known as Bada Ling. Alternatively, they can travel by boat upto Dasaswamedh Ghat and climb the steps. The place of worship is open from 06.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon and from 05.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Timings may be flexible. Devotees can perform pooja on their own.