Located at a short distance from Mir Ghat of Varanasi, Divodaseshwar Temple is a unique temple. Some believe that king Divodas, the founder of Varanasi or Benares, is built by him and dedicated to Lord Shiva; whereas, some believe that king Divodas, deified with passage of time, is worshipped here. The temple houses the idol, consisting of a black emblem of Lord Shiva. It is not alone, but is associated with other gods, one of whom is called Vishbahuka, or the Twenty-handed Divinity, and is the occupant of a niche in the wall. In front of the entrance to the temple is a high ‘deepadhar’ or lamp-stand, on the sides of which a number of small oil-lamps are placed, on certain occasions, in honour of Divodas. Although the city of Benares is now regarded as sacred to Lord Shiva, and as a place over which He exercises divine authority, yet it is commonly believed, by the inhabitants, that there was a time when divine honours were bestowed on a king called Divodas. The tradition, too, is sanctioned by the Kashikhanda. It is said, that this personage, whom Brahma raised to the dignity of king of Benares,and vested with jurisdiction over both gods and men, took it into his head to banish all the gods from the city. This ruthless act seems to have produced immense consternation throughout the Hindu pantheon. Later,Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva, persuaded Divodas- a king with unspotted purity and strict integrity, to cancel his previous order.