Manikarnika Kund is a sacred pond located next to the
Manikarnika Ghat in
Varanasi of
Uttar Pradesh. Surrounded by an iron railing, it is mythologically related to
Lord Vishnu and
Lord Shiva.
According to the Hindu mythology, the kund predates the arrival of the Ganges and has its source deep in the Himalayas. It is said to have been dug by Lord Vishnu at the time of creation with his disc. A beautiful image of Lord Vishnu can be seen in the northern wall of the kund.
The word 'Manikarnika' refers 'Jeweled Earring'. It is believed that the above name was given because Lord Shiva’s earring fell into the well.
