Varanasi
Kashi is the city eternal, one of the oldest in the world. As per the scriptures, Kashi is resting on the
central point of Shiva’s Trishul. Kashi was built in such a way that is was the perfect microcosm mirroring
the cosmic macrocosm. The geometric alignment of the shrines was such that it created the perfect energy
field to attain salvation. It is believed that if one is cremated at Kashi, then one does not take birth
again. The fires are said to burn the causal body
Kashi Vishwanath, one of the twelve jyotirlingas, is built on the banks of the Ganga. The temple was destroyed by Aurangzeb in the year 1669 and a mosque was built in place of the temple. It is said that the temple priest jumped into the well, which is in the precincts of the temple, with the original Shivalinga of Kashi Vishwanath, to protect the linga from being desecrated by the Mughal invaders. And then, for almost 112 years the waters of the well were worshipped. Even to this day a huge Nandi is seated facing the Gyanvapi mosque, which is adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath. The sanctum sanctorum of Vishwanath was where the mosque is today. Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar, the great queen, rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath temple in 1780. As per divine guidance, a Narmadeshwar Shivalinga was consecrated at Kashi with the help of the Queen. The Rani Ahilya Bai Indore airport has a painting of the Queen holding a Shivalinga – it is none other than the Kashi Shivalinga. ParamHamsa Yogananda had described Ahilyabai as one of the greatest women of modern India.
It is said, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab donated gold for Kashi Vishwanath just like he did for Hari Madir Sahib in Amritsar and Jwalamukhi Devi in Himachal.
Kashi has many important shrines – Kaal Bhairav is worshipped here as the the kotwal of Kashi. Durga Kund, Manokamneshwar, Aadi Keshav, Bala Tripursundari, Trailanga Swami Temple, Bindu Madhav, Dattatreya temple at Pancha Ganga ghat, Chausath Yogini, Sankat Mochan and many more. Smashaneshwar Mahadev is revered at Mannikarnika Ghat – where the funeral pyres have never stopped burning.
You will see ash smeared sadhus lighting their dhunas and staying at the burning grounds of Raja Harish Chandra ghat and further on till Kashi Vishwanath around Shivratri. It is here in Kashi that Lord Shiva gives the Tarak mantra to the ones who seek moksha. Om Namah Shivaye
Kashi Vishwanath, one of the twelve jyotirlingas, is built on the banks of the Ganga. The temple was destroyed by Aurangzeb in the year 1669 and a mosque was built in place of the temple. It is said that the temple priest jumped into the well, which is in the precincts of the temple, with the original Shivalinga of Kashi Vishwanath, to protect the linga from being desecrated by the Mughal invaders. And then, for almost 112 years the waters of the well were worshipped. Even to this day a huge Nandi is seated facing the Gyanvapi mosque, which is adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath. The sanctum sanctorum of Vishwanath was where the mosque is today. Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar, the great queen, rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath temple in 1780. As per divine guidance, a Narmadeshwar Shivalinga was consecrated at Kashi with the help of the Queen. The Rani Ahilya Bai Indore airport has a painting of the Queen holding a Shivalinga – it is none other than the Kashi Shivalinga. ParamHamsa Yogananda had described Ahilyabai as one of the greatest women of modern India.
It is said, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab donated gold for Kashi Vishwanath just like he did for Hari Madir Sahib in Amritsar and Jwalamukhi Devi in Himachal.
Kashi has many important shrines – Kaal Bhairav is worshipped here as the the kotwal of Kashi. Durga Kund, Manokamneshwar, Aadi Keshav, Bala Tripursundari, Trailanga Swami Temple, Bindu Madhav, Dattatreya temple at Pancha Ganga ghat, Chausath Yogini, Sankat Mochan and many more. Smashaneshwar Mahadev is revered at Mannikarnika Ghat – where the funeral pyres have never stopped burning.
You will see ash smeared sadhus lighting their dhunas and staying at the burning grounds of Raja Harish Chandra ghat and further on till Kashi Vishwanath around Shivratri. It is here in Kashi that Lord Shiva gives the Tarak mantra to the ones who seek moksha. Om Namah Shivaye