As soon as the name Varanasi is mentioned, the first name that comes to mind is Mahadev. Many Shivalingas have been established in the ghats and narrow streets here. Which remains a center of faith for people even today. The discussion of one such Shivalinga at Shitala Ghat, some distance away from the Machhodari area, creates curiosity among the people. People know him as Pakistani Mahadev. According to the local people, even in the government documents, the name of this temple is recorded in the name of Pakistani Mahadev. Now the question arises as to why the name of this temple is associated with Pakistan.
Story of Pakistani Mahadev Temple
The story of the temple of ‘Pakistani Mahadev’ is linked to the partition of India-Pakistan in 1947. In those days the situation in the country was not good. The entire country was burning in the fire of riots. Meanwhile, due to riots breaking out in Bengal, people there were forced to migrate to other parts of the country. One of them was the family of Janaki Bai Bogda who was earlier a resident of Kashi. Migrated from West Bengal and came here again.
He had established a Shivalinga where his family lived in Bengal. Which he brought to Kashi during his migration. When he along with his family started immersing Shivalinga in the Ganga on the banks of Shitala Ghat in Machhodari, some priests there stopped him from immersing it and got the temple established. People also named this Shivalinga, which was brought from West Bengal during partition, as Pakistani Mahadev. Which is worshiped with the same name even today.
Temple priest Ajay Kumar Sharma said that the place for the establishment of this temple was given by the Akhara Parishad of Bundi State. Which was established with the help of Raghunath and Munnu Maharaj. Later many people took up the responsibility of worshiping the temple. We have offered prayers here since 2008. Regular puja is performed by other family members in our absence.
How to reach the Pakistani Mahadev Temple
The temple of ‘Pakistani Mahadev’ is situated at Shitala Ghat in Banaras. If you are coming from Varanasi Railway Station, then to reach this temple you will have to come through Rath Yatra Godaulia Marg. Right next to Dashashwamedh Ghat, Lord Shiva resides in the name of ‘Pakistani Mahadev’. At the time of partition, Bengal was divided into two parts, East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) and West Bengal, hence this temple is called the temple of ‘Pakistani Mahadev’. According to the second story, this temple is called the temple of ‘Pakistani Mahadev’ because it comes from Lahore (present-day Pakistan).