Avimukteśvara is a sacred tīrtha (tirtha; site of pilgrimage) located in Vārāṇasī (Varanasi). After marrying Haimavatī (Haimavati) Umā (Uma), Nīlalohita Śiva, along with the other Śivagaṇa (Sivagana; associates of Siva), came from Himālaya (Himalaya) to Vārāṇasī and manifested himself as Avimukteśvara Liṅga (Avimukteswara Linga), and started residing here —
devaḥ purā kṛtodvāhaḥ śankaro nīlalohitaḥ
himavacchikharād devyā haimavatyā gaṇeśvaraiḥ.
vārāṇasīmanuprāpya darśayāmāsa śankaraḥ
avimukteśvaraṃ liṅgaṃ vāsaṃ tatra cakāra hu.
Visiting this site, one may be relieved of all sins.