Pita Maheshwar Shivling is one of the most secret and hidden temples in Varanasi. It is believed to be shwayambhu a Self-manifested form of Shivling. The mention of this Shivling can also be found in Skand Puran, one of the 18 most important Hindu scriptures.
As per the Kashi Khand of Skand Puran Lord Kartikey, the son of Lord Shiv has described this Shivling as one of the most prominent Shivlings of Kashi.
Pita Maheshwar Shivling is situated 40 feet underground and it is believed to be very powerful that is why the darshans are only recommended by peeping through the hole made in the ground.
The temple opens up only on a few selective days such as Shivratri, Rang Bhari Ekadashi, and Mondays of monsoon season but one can see the Shivling from the hole throughout the year.
The temple is hidden so perfectly that if you haven’t seen or heard about it before you will keep searching for it while standing on top of it the whole time!
As odd it may sound such hidden temples are very common in the streets of Varanasi. Paid media have always called these localities and houses around the temples illegal encroachment while the truth is that these houses were built to hide and protect the ancient temples of Kashi from the invaders such as the army of Aurangzeb.
Our ancestors put their lives in danger to keep these temples secure from the invaders and it is really sad that we are paying their favor back by calling their descendants illegal encroachers. The residents around such temples should be rewarded and their stories need to be shared more than the false narrative which is run by hate-mongering media houses.
Pita Maheshwar is one of such many temples that were saved by our ancestors. Its importance is such that as per the scriptures if someone worships Pita Maheswar he gives Mukti to his next 20 generations.
Thanks to the narrow streets and the brave residents of Kashi that hundreds of such temples are still safe and sound!
How to reach the Pita Maheshwar temple
Pita Maheshwar is located on Sheetla Street in Varanasi. You can reach it on foot from Chowk or Scindia Ghat. If approaching from the ghat, ask locals for directions to Siddheshwari Devi Temple. From there, continue along the same lane until you find a narrow street with a bell on the entrance on your left side. Enter this street and follow the path to reach the temple.
For a richer experience, you can explore Pita Maheshwar as part of our guided heritage walk, where we take you through the hidden lanes of Varanasi, sharing stories and secrets that only locals know.
Join our Subah-e-Banaras Heritage Walk
What to See/Nearby Places
- Sheetla Mata Temple
- Shiddheshwari Devi
- Chandrakoop
- Scindia Ghat
- Ratneshwar Mahadev
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about the Pita Maheshwar Shivling? Pita Maheshwar is believed to be a swayambhu, or self-manifested, Shivling, mentioned in the Kashi Khand of the Skand Puran. It sits 40 feet underground in one of Varanasi’s most hidden temples, tucked inside the narrow lanes near Chowk.
How do you get darshan of Pita Maheshwar? Most days, devotees view the Shivling by peering through a small hole in the ground rather than entering the underground chamber directly. The temple opens fully on select days, including Shivratri, Rang Bhari Ekadashi, and Mondays during the monsoon (Sawan) season.
How do I find the Pita Maheshwar temple? The temple is on Sheetla Street, reachable on foot from Chowk or Scindia Ghat. Ask locals for the Siddheshwari Devi Temple, then continue along the same lane until you spot a narrow street with a bell at its entrance on your left. Follow that lane to reach Pita Maheshwar.
What is the significance of worshipping Pita Maheshwar? According to local belief and scripture, worshipping Pita Maheshwar grants moksha, or liberation, to a devotee’s next 20 generations, making it one of the more spiritually significant hidden Shivlings in Kashi.
6 Responses
हर हर महादेव
आज दर्शन का सौभाग्य प्राप्त
Ever since I saw that post or story on Instagram, I was like ‘where is it, where is it’ in my mind. Feeling blessed to know or enlightened about it finally. And liked the fact why narrow lanes and houses were built in Kashi such a way, feels like running in a maze. To protect and preserve, yet the non local MP not much aware of it, collateral damages of various historical eras. BTW…
Ee bari sawan mein jaab somwar ke darshan kare khatin
Hi, I told about this temple to a relative of mine who lives near siddheshwari Devi temple, but he mentioned that he never heard of the temple or saw the mount. Could you please provide a better location. Although I mentioned him to check the street properly.
आज मैंने दर्शन किया
Har Har Mahadev
We a group of 8 accidentally had darshan of this temple while we were heading up after ghat darshan and snan during kumbh mela.
Just opposite to the entrance we all had kachori’s.
And someone there, may be local, told us about “Pita Maheshwar ji”
Today I saw your reel and was fascinated.
Jai Bholenath
Aap sach me Bhole ho
Har Har Mahadev
Vikrant Sharma Kullu