Tilbhandeshwar Mandir, is one of the oldest and most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. It is located near Bengal Tola Inter College and next to the famous weavers colony of Madanpura. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The present Tilbhandeshwar Mandir was constructed in 18th century.
According to the scriptures the Shiv Ling in the temple emerged by itself during the ancient days and increases every year by the size of a “til” (Hindi: तिल; i.e. Sesame Seed). Presently the Shiv Ling is 3.5 feet in height and the diameter of the base is approximately 3 feet. It is also believed that Mata Sharda had spent some days in this temple. There is also a mention about this Shivling in the Shiv Purana. In which it is clearly written that this Shivling grows by the size of a sesame seed.
You will notice a special intermixing of Banarasi and Malyali culture here. It was worshipped by Vibhandak Rishi, whose timeline dates back to the pre-Ramayan era. People often call Tilbhandeshwar shivling as Vibhandeshwar. But actually, Vibhandeshwar Shivlinga is located a floor below it. Some mentioned that Vibhandak Rishi was from the south, hence the southern influence on the temple. It also resides the idol of Ayyapan, which is probably the only temple in Varanasi dedicated to Lord Ayyapan. Ayyappan is a Hindu god of self-control, popular in the southern part of India.
The Muslim rulers attacked the temple not once but thrice. But at that time nothing happened to this Shivling. After this, the Mughal rulers had to return from here. Apart from this, during the British rule, the British, after hearing the glory of the Shivling, tied a thread around it to check the increase in its size, but the thread was breaking again and again, which was making it clear that this Shivling grows. However, how and why the growth in the Shivling happens. No one has been able to know this till date.
Tilbhandeshwar Temple is located approx. 5 km away from the Varanasi Cantt Railway Station. You can reach the temple by taxi, auto, or rickshaw from any part of Varanasi city. Nearest airport is the Varanasi airport.
