Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple was recovered after removal of encroachments from Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor in Varanasi. There are a total of three temples of Tarkeshwar Mahadev in the complex, one is on the Manikarnika Ghat, another near Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and the third is along the way towards Manikarnika Ghat. This temple is the third one located on the way towards Manikarnika Ghat facing north.
Shiv Purana elaborates upon the story of the demon, Tarakasur and how his name came to be associated with that of Lord Shiva’s as Tarkeshwar Mahadev. As per the text, there was a demon named Tarakasur who meditated and performed severe penance to ask lord Shiva for a boon. Seeing his immense devotion, the Lord then appeared before him and granted him a boon of immortality, informing him that he could only be killed by Shiva’s own son. After the boon, Tarakasur continued troubling innocents and saints for several years. After the birth of Shiva and Parvati’s first son Kartikeya, everyone prayed to him for stopping Tarakasur. Kartikeya then came forward and killed Tarakasur with his weapon Sakti (vel). Before his defeat, Tarakasur realized his mistakes and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness. Lord Shiva forgave him and gave blessing that his name will be attached to his own and will be worshipped in kaliyuga as ‘Tarkeshwar Mahadev’.
No. 21A on map
This north-facing temple is rectangular in plan and consists of a mandapa, garbhagriha and an antarala joining the two structures. The whole structure stands on a high adhisthana (plinth) with mouldings carved in low relief. The mandapa is open from all four sides and has a flat roof while the garbhagriha is open from two sides and crowned with a shikhara (spire). The entrance to the garbhagriha is from two sides; the main entrance is from north which is attached to mandapa and other is from the east. The temple is now covered with additional construction and only some of its original parts are visible.
The open mandapa is square in shape and stands on a high adhisthana. It has four pillars, one on each corner. The hall has a flat roof with two tiers, covered in low relief molding.
The four pillars of the mandapa are divided into three main registers- pitha (base), stambha (shaft) and shirsh (head). All four pillars stand on a purna ghata base and the ribbed shaft tapers gently upwards. The lower part of the shaft is embellished with a leaf motif. Above the shaft is a square abacus and corbelled brackets that support the roof.
Pillars, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Varanasi
The elevation of garbhagriha which stands on a high adhishthana, is tri-ratha. There is a central broad offset called the bhadra projection on the wall. The walls are plain and now covered with plaster. On the west wall, there is a blind window on the bhadra and south wall have a plain projection. On the eastern façade, an elaborate framed door opening into garbhagriha has been projected. The door jamb has tri-shakhas. The innermost shakha is plain and middle band has kumbhas supporting an entablature in the form of a torana. The arched torana is decorated with floral design.
Above the garbhagriha, rises a shekhari shikhara (superstructure) comprising a central latina spire with uruh shringas (subsidiary towers) clustering around the shikhara on all sides. The three-storied shikhara is crowned by an amalaka over which rests a kalasha. On the rathika of all four sides of the shikhara, is an arched niche.
Garbha-Griha, Tarakeshwar Mahadev Temple, Varanasi
Above the garbhagriha, rises a shekhari shikhara (superstructure) comprising a central latina spire with uruh shringas (subsidiary towers) clustering around the shikhara on all sides. The three-storied shikhara is crowned by an amalaka over which rests a kalasha. On the rathika of all four sides of the shikhara, is an arched niche.
Shikhara, Garbha-griha, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Varanasi
