Quick answer: The Mahamrityunjay (Mrityunjay Mahadev) temple is in the Daranagar area of Varanasi, on the lane that leads towards the Kal Bhairav temple. Shiva is worshipped here as the conqueror of death. Beside the sanctum is a sacred well, linked by tradition to Dhanvantari, whose water devotees sprinkle on themselves for health. Most yatris combine it with Kal Bhairav and Kashi Vishwanath on the same morning.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Where is the Mahamrityunjay temple in Varanasi?
The temple stands in Daranagar, in the old city of Kashi north of the main ghats, close to the Maidagin and Visheshwarganj areas. The Varanasi district administration describes it as lying on the route from Daranagar to the Kal Bhairav temple, so the two are a short walk apart. Locals simply call it Mrityunjay Mahadev; older texts and some priests use the names Mrityunjayeshwar or Apamrityu Hareshwar, “the Lord who removes untimely death”.
The lanes here are narrow and busy. Cars stop on the main road, and the last stretch is on foot or by cycle-rickshaw or e-rickshaw. If you are staying near the ghats or Godowlia, an auto or e-rickshaw to Maidagin or Visheshwarganj is the simplest approach; from there ask for “Mrityunjay Mahadev mandir, Daranagar”.
Why is Mrityunjay Mahadev important?
Mrityunjay means “victor over death”. Shiva in this form is prayed to for recovery from illness, protection from accidents and untimely death, and long life for parents and children. Families come here when someone is unwell, before surgery, after a frightening accident, or on the birthday of an elderly member.
The temple is mentioned among Kashi’s sacred sites in the Kashi Khand tradition, and devotees regard the linga as very old, though the present building is generally dated to around the 18th century. Many people sit in the temple to recite the Mahamrityunjaya mantra or have priests perform a Mrityunjay path or jaap on their behalf.
What is the story of the well at the Mrityunjay temple?
Next to the shrine is a well that is the second reason people come here. Tradition holds that Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and the deity of Ayurveda, poured his medicines into this well, giving its water healing power. That is why many devotees call it the Dhanvantari koop. Another local name recorded for it is the Kalodak koop.
After darshan or a jaap, devotees take a little of the water and sprinkle it on themselves, or carry some home for a family member who is ill. Treat this as a matter of faith, not a substitute for medical treatment, and follow the priests’ and temple staff’s guidance on how the water may be taken.
What is the Mahamrityunjaya mantra and what does it mean?
The Mahamrityunjaya mantra comes from the Rig Veda (7.59.12) and also appears in the Yajur Veda. It is addressed to Tryambaka, the three-eyed one, whom Shaiva tradition worships as Shiva.
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam, urvarukamiva bandhanan mrityor mukshiya maamritat.
Short meaning: “We worship the three-eyed Lord, who is fragrant and who nourishes all life. As a ripe cucumber is freed from its vine, may He free us from death, but not from immortality.”
A jaap means repeating the mantra a fixed number of times, often 1,100, 11,000 or 1,25,000 depending on the sankalp, usually ending with a havan. Many households recite it 108 times on a mala as a daily practice. If you are reciting it yourself at the temple, sit to one side so the queue moves freely.
What are the Mrityunjay Mahadev temple timings?
There are no official timings published online by a temple trust. A Varanasi temples directory reports that the temple opens around 4 am and stays open until late night, with short closures for shringar and aartis in the morning and evening. Treat this as a guide only; timings change on festival days and during Sawan. Early morning is the calmest time for darshan, and it also fits well before the larger queues at Kashi Vishwanath build up.
How to combine Mahamrityunjay with Kashi Vishwanath, Kal Bhairav and the ghats
All these sacred places sit in the old city within a few kilometres of each other. A practical half-day plan that many yatris follow:
| Order | Place | Why in this order | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kal Bhairav temple, Visheshwarganj | Tradition says you take the Kotwal of Kashi’s permission first | 30–60 minutes (longer on Sundays and Tuesdays) |
| 2 | Mrityunjay Mahadev, Daranagar | A short walk along the same route; darshan and well water | 30–45 minutes, more for a jaap |
| 3 | Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga | Short auto or e-rickshaw ride towards Godowlia; main darshan of the day | 1–3 hours depending on queue |
| 4 | Ghats: Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, or a boat along the river | Walk down from the Vishwanath Dham corridor | 1–2 hours; evening for Ganga aarti |
For queue options, aarti and dress rules at the Jyotirlinga, read our Kashi Vishwanath darshan guide. Our guide to temples in Varanasi helps you plan two or three unhurried days.
How crowded is it in Sawan and on Mahashivratri?
Very. Mahashivratri is the main festival here, and on Sawan Mondays the Daranagar lanes see a heavy rush of devotees, along with the rest of Kashi’s Shiva temples. On these days queues at Kashi Vishwanath can run for many hours, police may change traffic and pedestrian routes in the old city, and vehicles are often stopped well away from the temples.
If you must come during Sawan or on Mahashivratri, reach Mrityunjay Mahadev very early, carry water, keep elderly family members with a companion at all times, and avoid carrying bags you do not need. For a quieter darshan, choose a weekday outside Sawan; October to March is also more comfortable weather in Varanasi. 2027 festival dates should be checked against a reliable panchang once published.
Practical tips for darshan
- Dress modestly, and expect to leave footwear outside; there are usually stands or shops nearby that keep shoes for a small fee.
- Carry a small steel or copper lota if you want to offer water or milk, and a small bottle if you hope to take well water home.
- Phones and cameras are generally discouraged inside the sanctum; follow the notices.
- Agree priest dakshina or jaap charges clearly before the puja begins, and ask for the count and duration of the jaap.
- Keep cash in small notes; the lanes are crowded, so keep valuables close.
Can I get a Mahamrityunjaya jaap done if I cannot travel?
Yes. Many families who cannot come to Kashi, including NRIs and those caring for a patient at home, have the jaap performed on their behalf. With our Mahamrityunjaya Jaap (Online Puja), Vedic priests in Varanasi take sankalp in the names and gotra you share, recite the mantra in the agreed count and close with havan and aarti. You receive a video of the sankalp and closing, and prasad is couriered to an Indian address. Read how online puja works before you book.
What we arrange in Kashi
Our team arranges Kashi yatras with hotel stays close to the old city, local transport, guided darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, Kal Bhairav and nearby temples, and boat rides along the ghats. The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga yatra (2 nights, 3 days) suits a first visit, and the Kashi Mandir Darshan Circuit covers the old-city temples in one day; tell us if you want Mrityunjay Mahadev included or a jaap arranged during your stay. See all Kashi and Ayodhya yatras, then use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Mahamrityunjay temple in Varanasi?
It is in Daranagar in the old city of Varanasi, near Maidagin and Visheshwarganj. The district administration places it on the route from Daranagar to the Kal Bhairav temple, so the two are a short walk apart. Vehicles stop on the main road, and the last part is through narrow lanes on foot or by rickshaw.
Is Mrityunjay Mahadev the same as Kashi Vishwanath?
No. They are different temples. Kashi Vishwanath is the Jyotirlinga near Godowlia and the ghats, while Mrityunjay Mahadev is a separate Shiva temple in Daranagar, worshipped specially as the conqueror of death. Most yatris visit both on the same day, usually with Kal Bhairav first, then Mrityunjay Mahadev, then Vishwanath.
What is the significance of the well at Mrityunjay temple?
By tradition, Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, poured his medicines into the well beside the shrine, so its water is believed to have healing power. Devotees sprinkle a little on themselves after darshan or a jaap, or take some home for a family member who is ill. It is an act of faith alongside, not instead of, medical care.
What are the timings of Mrityunjay Mahadev temple?
No official timings are published online. A Varanasi temples directory reports that it opens around 4 am and stays open until late night, with short breaks for shringar and aarti. Timings change on festivals and during Sawan, so confirm locally. Early morning is the quietest and fits well before Kashi Vishwanath darshan.
Can I get a Mahamrityunjaya jaap done at this temple?
Many families arrange a Mrityunjay path or jaap through priests associated with the temple area. Agree the count, duration and dakshina before it begins. If you cannot travel, our online Mahamrityunjaya Jaap is performed by Vedic priests in Varanasi with sankalp in your name and gotra, a video of the sankalp and closing, and prasad by courier.
How many times should the Mahamrityunjaya mantra be chanted?
For daily personal practice, many people chant it 108 times on a rudraksha mala. A formal jaap by priests is done in a fixed count decided at the sankalp, commonly 1,100, 11,000 or 1,25,000 repetitions, often followed by a havan. The right count depends on the purpose and your family priest’s advice.
Is it very crowded during Sawan and Mahashivratri?
Yes. Mahashivratri is the temple’s main festival, and Sawan Mondays bring a heavy rush to Daranagar and to every major Shiva temple in Kashi. Police often change routes in the old city, and vehicles stop far from the temples. Go very early, keep elderly family members accompanied, and carry as little as possible.
How much time do I need for Kal Bhairav, Mrityunjay and Kashi Vishwanath?
On an ordinary weekday, a half day is usually enough for all three, starting early in the morning. Allow extra time on Mondays, Sundays and Tuesdays, and much more during Sawan or on festival days, when the Kashi Vishwanath queue alone can take several hours. Add the ghats and evening Ganga aarti to make it a full day.
