Kashi Viswanath
Vishwanath temple in Benares in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi – Benares – Kaasi is considered to be the holiest of all pilgrimage sites in India. It is considered home to Shiva – Visweswara. Benares is also known as Kaasi because it is beleived that Supreme brilliance shines there, and lights the way to salvation (Kas – to shine). Varanasi is located between two rivers Varana and Asi, and hence the name Varanasi.
Gyanvapi Mosque
Kasi is said to be as old as time itself. The original Shiva temple was destroyed by Aurangzeb in 1669 and a Mosque – called Gyanvapi Mosque – was built in its place. Indian Government has locked it and no one is permitted to visit it to avoid communal disharmony.
The priests of the original Shiva temple rescued the Shiva Linga and subsequently the present Shiva temple was built by the Maratha ruler, Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in the year 1780.
This place is said to give the greatest delight to God and hence the name Anandakanana; the five elements lie in this great cremation ground as will all dead bodies at the time of the final deluge and hence the name Mahasmasaanam.
It is one of the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas and also one of the Sapta Moksha Puris.
Benares has been a pilgrimage center since time immemorial. It is believed that the fifth head of Bhrama which clung to Shiva’s palms came unstuck only after he reached Varanasi. Varanasi has been mentioned in the Tamil Tevaram hymns of the first millennium CE. Kasi is mentioned repeatedly in the scriptures such as the Bhramanas, Upanishads, Kavyas and Puranas. It is the oldest center of learning, and is vibrant with centuries of tradition.
Benares houses the Kaasi Visweswara (Viswanatha) temple, enshrining one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Shiva. This temple was desecrated and rebuilt several times. The latest structure dating back to the 18th century (thanks to the efforts of Rani Ahilyabhai Holkar) is the center of attention of the millions of pilgrims who converge here, to perform an abhishekam to the sacred Jyotirlingam, with water from the Ganges.
Benares is also considered to be one of the Shakti Peethas of India. It is believed that the left hand of Sati fell at Varanasi, and that Annapurna or Visalakshi represent the Shakti Peetham here.
Apart from these temples, there are five other sacred spots in Benares. The Asi-Ganga sangamam, at Lolarka houses a temple to the Sun God. The rivers Ganga and Varana converge at a spot where there is a shrine to Kesava. The Panchaganga Ghat houses a temple to Bindu-Madhava. It is believed that five rivers Kirana, Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati and Dhuta-papa converge here. The Dasaswamedha Ghat where it is believed that the ancient kings performed the aswamedha sacrifice ten times and took a dip in the Ganga.
The last of the sacred spots is the Manikarnika Ghat. Legend has it that Vishnu dug a pit with his chakra, and the sweat created during his meditation filled the pit. Shiva shook his head and his jeweled earring fell into the pit, hence the name Manikarnika. Tradition has it that those that die at Benares and get cremated at the Manikarnika ghat, get liberated from the cycle of life and death.
Being a great Holy place with Ganges flowing through Kashi is a popular place where people perform Shradh ceremonies (Last rites) of their departed relatives and submerge the ashes in Ganga. Many spend their old age here a it is believed that the ones who die at Kashi attain Moksha or salvation.
Hyuen Tsang, the Chinese traveller visited Varanasi in the 7th century. His travel accounts speak of the grandeur of the city and of its temples. This writer describes a hundred feet high statue of Shiva Maheshwara made of brass that adorned the city.
Several other temples and shrines adorn the city of Benares. Virtually every block houses a shrine here. Mention must be made of the modern shrine to Kaasi Viswanatha elsewhere in the city. Shivaratri in the month of Aquarius is a season of great festivity at Benares. Following are some important ones:
Bhairava temple. It must be visited 1st as HE is the Nagara Palak
9 Devis of Kasi
Holy Bath in Ganges
Evening Aarti Ceremony
Dasaswamedh Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat
Boat Ride in Ganges River
Sarnath Buddhist center
Ramnagar Fort
Visit Jantar Mantar
By Air
Babatpur Airport, also known as Varanasi Airport or Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (IATA – VNS, ICAO – VIBN), is the nearest airport situated just 18 km north-west of Varanasi city.
Varanasi lies on the daily air tourist shuttle route linking other major tourist places in India such as Khajuraho, Agra and Delhi.
By Rail
The city is linked by trains with all metros and major cities across the country – New Delhi (760 Kms.), Bombay (1509 Kms.), Calcutta (735 Kms.), Madras (1970 Kms.), Lucknow (286 Kms).
There are three railway station – Kashi, City and Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment), which is the main station and has computerised booking.
By Road
Varanasi is connected to Calcutta (677 Kms.), Delhi (765 Kms.), Madras (1901 Kms.), Bangalore (1763 Kms.) and to the rest of the country by good motorable, all-weather roads.
Accommodation
Being an important tourist destination for both pilgrims as well as other tourists, Varanasi offers numerous economic hotels as well as luxury hotels and guest houses.
