Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev Mandir, Varanasi

Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev Mandir is among the oldest and most famous temples of Varanasi, dedicated to Shiva and built in the 18th century. It stands in Pandey Haveli, Bhelupur, beside Bengali Tola Inter College, about 500 m east of the Ganga, 1.5 km south-west of the Kashi Vishwanath temple and 3.2 km north of Banaras Hindu University.

Devotees believe the lingam appeared by itself some 2,500 years ago and grows each year by the size of a til, a sesame seed. It now stands 3.5 ft high, with a base about 3 ft across. Mata Sharda is also believed to have stayed at the temple for some days.