Varuna is one of the oldest deities in the Vedic pantheon, originally associated with cosmic order (rita) and the waters, later narrowing in later tradition to a more specific role as lord of the oceans — pairing his name with Shiva here reflects the same pattern of water-themed Shiva epithets seen in Samudreshwar, covered elsewhere on this site.
Its position beside Jyoti Rupeshwar, a Shiva form whose name evokes a 'form of light,' gives this stretch of Gomat a thematic pairing of water and light imagery within Shiva's many local epithets.
The nearby Abhay Sanyas Ashram, a retreat associated with renunciate (sanyasi) practice, situates Varuneshwar within a quieter, more contemplative pocket of the old city rather than a heavily trafficked pilgrim route.
Gomat, west of Jyoti Rupeshwar
Varuna, the Vedic deity of cosmic waters
Abhay Sanyas Ashram
One of the oldest deities in the Vedic pantheon, originally linked to cosmic order and later to the oceans and waters — this Shiva linga's name draws on that association.
Banaras Hindu University campus
Shiva TempleNear Madanpura, close to the weavers' lanes
Shiva TempleDaranagar, on the route to Kaal Bhairav
Shiva TempleTrilochan Ghat
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