Adi Keshav Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) is the nearest airport. It is at Babatpur, 26 km northwest of Varanasi.

• By train

  Varanasi Junction (BSB) is the main railway station serving the city.

• By road

  On some routes in the old city, around the temples and markets, traffic runs one way. Autos and big vehicles are not allowed on those routes.

Why devotees come here

Adi Keshav Temple stands where the Ganga and Varuna rivers meet in Varanasi. It is one of the rare ancient shrines in the city dedicated to Vishnu. Its sanctum holds the Adi Keshav-Sangameshwar Linga, a four-faced deity that unites Vishnu and Shiva.

Legend says Shiva once left Kashi to live on Mount Mandarchal. While he was away, Vishnu came down to guard the holy city. The temple is believed to mark the place where Vishnu first set foot in Kashi, at Shiva's invitation. In the same legend, Vishnu defeated King Dividasa and set dharma right again here.

Ancient Puranic texts such as the Kashi Khand mention the shrine, and its roots go back to early ages. Qutub-ud-din-Aibak destroyed the temple in 1194 AD. Madhav Scindia of Gwalior later restored it to glory in the Maratha period. The building is in wooden Kathmandu style architecture.

The sanctum holds the rare Adi Keshav-Sangameshwar Linga, a four-faced deity that represents the unity of Vishnu and Shiva. The nearby ghat, popularly known as Adi Keshav Ghat or Raj Ghat, was made concrete in 1790 by a Divan of the Scindia state. The temple bears marks from the British years, when they used it as a strategic outpost after the 1857 uprising.

Tips for your visit

• The temple is set away from the crowded lanes of Varanasi and has a peaceful, calm feel.
• E-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and three-wheelers are readily available in the city.
• Agree the fare before you travel, as the district's guidance advises.

Questions people ask