During our last Uttar Pradesh visit, we had visited Allahabad ( Prayag Raj as of now), the noble city of the princely and religious importance of the state of Uttar Pradesh and had to go in about Prayag Raj.
Moving forward to our Uttar Pradesh tourism historical and religious journey, we will visit Varanasi, a well-known historic ancient and religious city in our post in Uttar Pradesh, and know about it in detail. The real and mythological name of Varanasi is "Kashi". In the British colonial era, it was named "Benaras". The city of Uttar Pradesh province, whose three names are famous all over the world. This beautiful city of Hindu religious importance is settled between Varuna and Asi rivers. After India's independence, this city was named "Varanasi" in the name of both of these rivers. Known as the city of temples and Gullies, this city is famous for literature and culture worldwide. It is very important for the famous historical temples of this place and the yatra (Walking the city's perimeter of 15 kms. Approx) here. This city is known as the Kashi Vishwanath shrine and has millions of devotees throughout the year. It is also believed, one takes last breath of his life on this holy Land of Kashi, he gets solvation. They don't have to repeat the cycle of birth and death.
Kashi Vishwanath Yatra:
Religious importance of Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath)
Varanasi is one of the Saptapuri (ancient, probably one of the oldest 7 cities with people and culture. These are the Haridhar, Mathura, Ayodhya, Kanchi, Dardika, Kashi Vishwanath and Avantika. According to religious belief, it is said that this Puri is situated on the trident of Lord Shiva. It is said that it can not be destroyed even in the cataclysm. And when the bodies are released by souls in kashi, even animals become free of kal-chakra (cycle of death). It is believed that at the time of sacrificing body here, Lord Shankar recites the immortal mantra to the mortal being, and from that the creature becomes aware. Therefore Kashi is considered as Kashi in 7 Puri (civilized cities). Thousands of people who believe in it come here to relieve the body. Many people reside in Kashi to die. They do not go out of Kashi. Kashi is not a province or community town. Here the houses of the residents of all the provinces of India are settled, due to which it is also known as the "City of Muhallas" (regional community colonies).
The total number of Jyotirlingas (believed to be most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva around India) is twelve. Of these twelve, kashi Vishwanath is the one. Due to which this city is known as Kashi Vishwanath. Shaktipeeth (vishalakshi at manikarnika ghat) is 1 of 51 Shakti Peethas, and is located in Kashi. Here the right ear of the sati was dropped. Kashi has immense glory in the Purana. It is inhabited in about three miles in the semi-moon form on the left bank of the river Bhagirathi. Over time it is expanding further. There are many temples in the street here names are impossible to be given here. At the time of lunar eclipse, a large number of devotees come to take bath. Kashi is also called the oldest city in the world, which is also mentioned in many places in Vedas.
According to Skand Puran: -
According to one of the Hindu holy scripture Skandpuraan, the one who wishes to visit Kashi in their last moment, and has passion to find Shiva, also get similar results as staying in kashi. Here the vibe is at different label. Once you are in kashi you don't fear anything, even death. Because, you know your out of life and death cycle, and you get final solvation.
According to Naradpuran: -
Kashi is not only the essence of triloki but also the prasence of triloki. When people consume air of kashi, they receive Goodwill. Most sinner souls also come here to become free from sin and become devout. Kashi is the one who gives salvation.
In other Puranas too, Kashi's greatness has been found scripted. According to the Puranas, first it was Lord Madhav's Puri. Once Lord Shiva cut off one of the 3 heads of Brahma and the Head got stucked with Shiva. He spent 12 years walking on the shrines of Badrinarayan, Kurukshetra, etc. But the head of Brahmaji did not get off from Lord Shiva's hand. In the end, as soon as he entered Kashi's border, the Brahma-murder's sin left him behind, and as soon as he slept, the skull associated with his hand got separated. The place where he had left the skull was called the Kachal Mukchan Tirtha. After this Lord Shankar prayed to Vishnu Ji and sought the place for his daily habitation. Since then, it is believed that Lord Shankar himself dwells in this city. The place where the Anandashru had fallen from the eyes of the Lord, is a place which is called as Sarswar and Lord Vitamadhav has been named here.
Varanasi is also known by twelve names in a religious sense. Which are as follows: - Kashi, Varanasi, Avikut, Anandkanan, Mahashmashan, Rudravas, Kashika, Tempatali, Muktibhumi Area, Muktibhoomi Puri, Sri Shivpuri Tripurari and Sri Shivpuri Rajnagiri.
Legendary history of Kashi :-
Emperor Devodas, son of Maharaj Sudesh, had built Varanasi town on the Ganges coast. Once Lord Shiva saw that Parvati did not like staying with shiva in her father's house. For Parwati ji's happiness, Shankarji considered leaving the Himalayas and staying in a proven area. He loved this area of Kashi. Then Shankar ji ordered his nunumba called Gana that he desoled Varanasi (Kashi). Nikumbh followed the order of God. After being uninhabited, Lord Shankar came and stayed with his Ganas. With the desire to live in Lord Shankar's mind, the gods of Devlok and Nagolok also reside. When this happened, Emperor Devodas was very sad. They pleased him with the penance of Brahma ji and asked him for a boon that the gods should remain in their Gods people and the serpent would remain in the earth for the humans only. Brahma ji gave him a boon according to his wishes. As a result, all the Gods, including Lord Shiva, had to leave the earth. But Shankar ji resided in the form of Visheshwar, and other deities too were situated in the form of Shri Vigrahah. Lord Shankar left Kashi and went on Mandarachal but he loved his Kashi a lot, he wanted to stay away from this. He sent thirty-six yogins to remove Samrat Devodas from here, but the emperor established him on a ghat. After this Shankarji sent the sun, but after seeing the glory of this Puri, the sun became fickle and settled in its twelve forms. Later, with the inspiration of Shakarji, Brahma ji can come here. With the help of Devodas, he performed ten Ashwamedh sacrifices and himself also settled. In order to fulfill the desire of Shankar ji, it appears in the form of Lord Vishnu and Brahman. He taught knowledge to Devodas. With this, he became disillusioned with the righteous emperor of the world. After establishing himself a Shivalinga, Emperor Devodas himself went to the temple and went to Devodas Shankar ji's dham. Then Lord Shiva came from Mandarachal and was located in Varanasi. All pilgrims and all deities reside in Kashi.
Ghats in kashi :-
List of Kashi Ghats is very long. There is a large number of big big ferries here. It is not possible to give information about all the losses in this post, but we are giving you information about some of the well known ghats of Kashi.
Varanasangam Ghat :-
This ferry is located approximately a mile away from Varanasi Railway Station. Come from the west, the small river named Varna is found here in Ganga ji. Here, the Bhadra Shukla 12 and Mahavaruni festival are held. Before Sangam, on the left bank of the Varuna river there is Shiva Temple named Vashisheshwar and Ritishwar. Near Varana Sangam is the Vishnudodhodak Tirtha and the Svetadeep Tirtha. Lord Shiva is the temple of Keshav on the ridges of the Ghat. In this temple Lord Keshav's quadrangle is a beautiful statue of white color. Here in the wall is Keshavaditya Shiva. And there is Harihareshwar Shiva Temple in nearby H. From this distance, there are Vedeshwar, Nakshatrasare and Shvetadipeshwar Mahadev.
Panchaganga Ghat :-
It is said about this ghat that the Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana and Dhootapapa Nadia secretly meet in Ganga ji. Hence the name of this Ghat is Panchaganga. There is Vishnu shrine and point of pilgrimage on this ghat. There are many temples on the ghat. One temple is here, pointMadhav ji, which is the most famous. It is believed that God gave a boon to the Brahmins named Agnibindu that I will live here. With this God's name is here. Nearby is the temple of Panchagangawar Mahadev. There is also the Dharah of Madhavaram in this valley. This Panchaganga ghat is considered to be very important on the Kartik bath. At this time a large number of devotees come to bath.
Manikarnika Ghat :-
This ghat is also called VeerTirth. There is the Manikarnika Kund on this ghat. There is a Bhairav Kund in the bottom of this trough, around 21 sidhis is made towards the bottom of this trough. Water of this pool .
Dashashwamedh Ghat :-
The distance of this Ghat from Varanasangam Ghat is about three miles and about one mile from Rajghat. It is said that Brahma had done ten Ashwamedh Yagna. This is the main ghat of Kashi. There is a large number of devotees reaches everyday for taking bath in ganges. This is the Rudra Sarovar Tirtha within the water. There is Dashashmeshhareshwar Shiva on the ghat and the idol of Sheetla Devi is right beside. There is a parallel statue of Ganga, Saraswati, Yamuna, Brahma, Vishnu and Narasimha ji in a Ganga temple. There is a huge Shiva temple in the north of this Ghat. In its north is Shulantkeshwar Shiva Temple. There are temples of Prayageshwar, Prayagmadhav and Adivaraheshwar on the ghat. Jyeshtha Shukla 10 day is considered to be very important for this ghat. At this time a large number of pilgrims come for bathing.
Asi Sangam Ghat :-
This ghat of Varanasi is not unheard of those who know even little about Kashi. Here a river named Asi who joins Ganges. There is a Jain temple above this ghat. It is considered a heritage of varanasi. Kartika 6th day is considered to be the special significance for the bath in this Ghat. There are jetty attached to ghat, about two miles away from Dashashmeshh Ghat.
Selected Temples of Kashi :-
Varanasi is also known as the city of Gods. There are total 59 Shivlingas, including Kashi Vishwanath. There are 12 temples of God Sun (Aditya), and 56 temples of God Vinayak (Ganesha). The numbers of temples of Bhairava is 8, there are also 9 Durga Temples, 13 Narasimha Temples and 16 Kesava Temples.
There are nearly 100 Ghats and about 1400 small big temples in which it is impossible to give details of all. Here we will know about some of the major temples and Sarovars of Varanasi.
Shri Vishwanath Temple :-
This temple is the main temple of Varanasi and the main temple. This temple is very magnificent. There is a golden climb on this. This history was presented by the famous Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. In front of this temple there is a gathering hall and the western part of temple is Peshaneshwar Temple. There is huge halls in the hall and many devamuranya. On the one side of the temple, good fortune- Gauri and Ganesh ji and on the other side are the temple of Shrungar-Gauri Avimukteshwar and Satyanarayan. Shanashvareshwara Mahadev is situated on the west side of Dandipaneshwar temple. One of Dwashash Jyotirlinga is one of the Visveswar Ling and it has some specialty. There linga is square shaped instead of cone shaped. There is no way out of it. The water is extracted from the lotus. Kartik Shukla 14 and Mahashivaratri are regarded as fruitful by the Vishveswar Linga. Shri Vishwanath is the emperor of Kashi. His minister Hareshwar, the narrator Brahmeshwar, Kotwal Bhairav, the station chief Tarakeshwar, Chobadar Dandipani, Bhandari Vireshwar, the officer Dhundiraj and other sex workers of Kashi. There is approximately one hundred and fifty Shivling in the Vayavikana of Vishwanath temple. Dharmrajeshwar is the main in this. This troupe is called Kavachari of Shiva. Here is the idol of Mod Vinayak, Pramod Vinayak, Sudha Vinayak, and Ganath Vinayak.
Varanasi does not have such significance because of being a Viswanatha Jyotirlinga of twelve Jyotirlinga, but due to Varanasi's counting in Siddha Puroha, its importance is high. Kashi is also counted in Triasthali. The tradition of the original temple of Vishwanath temple has gone up to the unknown yugas in the history of the past, but the present temple is not more ancient. Today there are three Vishwanath temple here today. One is in enlightenment, which was built by Queen Ahilyabai. The second is in Kashi Hindu University, which was constructed by industrialist Bidlala. The third is in Mir Ghat, which was built by Swami Karpatriya.
On entering a narrow street of Kashi, the ancient Viswanath temple is visible. It is a popular belief among devotees that Lord Shiva fulfills the motivation of every person coming here. The flag is made of gold in this temple. All the time, there is a crowd of spectators. This temple is very magnificent and beautiful. The temple which is located at Kashi Hindu University has been built just a few years ago. This temple is beautiful and scenic. It has two floors; Shivaling is installed in the upper floors. The entire Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta is marked around this temple. The temple which is written in Miraghat, was built by Swami Karapatri. This temple is also magnificent and beautiful.
Annapurna Temple Varanasi :-
This temple is situated at a distance from the Vishwanath temple. Annapurna's bronze manti is there on the throne of silver. In front of the Mandir Mandap Mandir, there is a statue of Kuber, Sun, Ganesha, Vishnu, and Hanuman. This is the Yanteshwar Linga founded by Shri Bhaskarai on this gender. There is a section with this temple in which Mahakali, Shiva Parivar, Lakshminarayan, Sri Ramadar, Radha Krishna and
Narasimha ji's marble statue Chaitra Shukla 9 and Ashwin Shukla 8 have the special glory of worship and worship of Annapurna.
Akshay Wat Temple :-
From the entrance of Shri Vishwanath temple, Dhundhari Raja goes to Ganesh, then the temple of Shaniyeshwar gets the first one. Their face is not of silver's body. The clothes are worn only below. On one side Mahavir ji is a tree in a corner which is called Akshay Vat.
Gyan vapi varanasi :-
There is only knowledge pool near Shri Vishwanath temple. It is said that when Aurangzeb broke the Vishwanath temple, Sri Vishwanath ji went into this well. He was later removed from there and installed in the present temple. The passers-by do this in the water of the coupe. This is the seven feet high Nandi which is situated towards the ancient Vishwanath temple. Aurangzeb built a mosque at the crossing here, but the temples of the temple can be seen so far. Gauri Shankar idol in the small temple on the small terrace outside the mosque.
Dhundhiraj Ganesh Varanasi :-
Dhundharaj Ganesh is near the west street of Annapurna temple. It is said that on each part of them is silver is said to have been made that the idol of Lord Ganesha was made from the stone of Gandadki. Magh Shukla 4th day is considered to be of greater value for his worship.
Dandapani :-
There is a statue of Dandapani in a small temple towards the north towards Dhundhiraj Ganesh temple. Both of them are located on both sides of the statue and the world is different.
Adivisheshwar :-
Aurangzeb has built a Mosque here, breaking ancient Vishwanath temple near Gyan Vapi. Near the northwestern road is the temple of Adiviseshwar.
Langlishwar Temple :-
There is a huge Shiva Ling named Langlishwar in a temple ahead of Pandavas, near Vishveshwar etc. Here is also the magnificent temple of Satyanarayan which is visible.
Kashi Karavat :-
This place is in a street near the mosque with Aurangzeb. Here is a Shiva Ling in a dark well. The route to the well is closed. It opens at a certain time only. Uneastern flowers are raised from the top of the queue. At first people used to do it here.
Gopal Mandir :-
This is the main temple of the Ballabh sect in Chaukhandha mohalla before Satya Kalshwar. There is a vigilance of Mr. Gopalji and Mr. Mukundarai ji. The worship service here is according to the Balbh sect. In front of Gopal Temple is the temple of Ranchodji. Apart from this, the temple of the big Maharaja, the temple of Baldev ji and the temple of Daouji are also located.
Siddhida Durga Temple :-
This temple is situated at a distance from Gopal Mandir. Apart from this, there is Bukmadhav Temple, Karmeshwar, Kal Madhav and Sampandeshwar Shiva Temple near the Dawaji Temple.
Kaal Bhairav Temple :-
This temple is located in Bhairavnath mohalla. There is a quadrangular statue located on the throne. Which has been beaten by silver. The great Mahadev in front of the temple and Yogishwari Devi is in the right pavilion. There is an idol of fielder Bhairav outside the previous gate of the temple. Mr. Bhairav's vehicle is a black dog. This is the custodian of the city. Kartik Krishna 8 and Chaturthi and Ravivar are considered as special significance of Bhairav ji's warship.
Durga ji Temple:-
Pushkar Shrine Lake is situated at a distance from the extreme Sangam Ghat.* There is a huge lake named Durga Kund on half a mile from there. The temple of Durga ji is situated on the banks of the lake. This temple is the statue of Kushmanda Devi which is called Durga ji. Shiva Ganapati is the temple of goddesses in the circle of the temple. Near the main gate is the statue of Durga, Vinayak and Chandbhairav. Kukkatswara Mahadev is nearby. Pleased on King Subahu, Mother Goddess was located in Durga form.
Troubleshooter Temple ( sankatmochan mandir) :-
This temple is situated in a garden after walking a little ahead of Durga Mandir. The statue of Hanuman ji established here is established by Goswami Tulsidas. There is a Ram temple in front of this temple.
Kurukshetra Tirtha :-
On the distance from the Durga Kund, there is Kurukshetra Sarovar towards the town. From here there is Siddhakund and Karmikunda. It is the place of Baba kinarama, it has a conquest Vinayak. There is a slight distance from Revati Sarovar. Which is now called Village Pond. From here onwards, Shankuldhara Tirtha, Dwarka Tirtha, Durvasa Tirtha and Krishna - Rukmini Tirtha are located on the other side. Here is the Kamakhya Kund in the north. It has Vaidyanath, kaal Bhairav and Kusheshwara Shiva. Next is the temple of Tripura Vinayak and Tripurantak near Shivgiri Sarovar. Some distance from here is Matrukund in the Lalpur mohalla. Those who have Pithraswar Shiva and Kshhiprasad Vinayak are their mother Matru Devi Mandir and onwards towards Pitrakund Sarovar.
Pishach mochan kund :-
This Kund is situated a little distance from Matrukund. Here, the soul leaves the dead body with Pindand. It is a large lake. There are idols of Mahavir, Kapardishwar, Punch Vinayak, Vishnu Velakmiki and many other deities on the ghat.
Lakshmi Kund :-
Laxmi Kund Sarovar is situated in Lakshmi Kund mohalla a short distance from the pistachio glove. Near the lake there is a temple of Lakshmi Ji. There is also a statue of Mayuri Yogini in this temple. Nearby is the Shiva Mandir and the Kali Mutt. Kundakkapa Vinayak is near the Kund.
Mandakini kund :-
This idol is now called Madagin. The company has a Mandakini lake in the garden. There is also the Madakini temple in the neighborhood. There is also a grand statue of bigger Ganesh near Company Bagh.
Gorakhnath Temple :-
This temple is located in the Madagin mohalla. There is the stage sign of Gorakhnath ji in it. There are called as of now as, Gorakha. From this place, Hanuman ji and Jambukeshwar Shiva Temple are a few minutes away. Here, Vakratund is a huge temple of Vinayak, at a distance from here. In this, Hridyanand Vinayak Murthy is situated. This temple has Siddha Kantheshwar Shivling. Place is at some distance from Shri Jagannath Temple and Ashadhishwar Shiva Temple.
Bhoot bhairav :-
Kashipura situated this is a temple of ghost Bhairava it is also called greedy Bhairava. Near the Kanhukeshwar Shiva Mandir and a few miles away is the temple of Nageshwar, Vyaghareshwar and Jigyesheshvar, furthermore Kashi Devi Temple is there.
As you all know it's pretty like impossible to even try and write all about Kashi, that too online. Ha...
* In next post we will have a discussion about
Pushkar Teerth Kund situated near Brahmaved Vidyalaya and Sri Setubandh Rameshwaram Temple. This is my personal favorite given the history and mysterious folklore attached to this place.
See you. Take care.
