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Varanasi, also known as Benares and Kashi, is the most ancient among the list of seven sacred cities of Hindus and is undeniably a favorite destination for travelers. Besides, Buddhists and Jains visit the place for their own religious interests. With many temples including the famous Viswanath Temple located on the banks of river Ganges regarded as very sacred among Hindus, nearly 100,000 pilgrims gather here throughout the year. The belief that a dip in Ganges washes away all sins and dying here would liberate man from the clutches of rebirth adds to the attraction for the place. Similarly, Vijaylaxmi Temple at Kashi draws huge pilgrims who believe that Goddess Sati’s earrings fell there.
Location
Varanasi is just 320 kilometers (199 miles) southeast from Lucknow – the capital of
Uttar Pradesh – the largest state in India.
History
Several Hindu scriptures like the Rigveda, Skanda Puran, Ramayana and Mahabharata make a special mention about this holy city. According to legend, Lord Shiva built it about 5,000 years back. It was known for trade of muslin, silk fabrics, perfumes, and ivory and sculpture products. It served as the capital of Kingdom of Kashi during the time of Gautam Buddha (born circa 557 BC).
Attraction
Usual urban glamour may be found missing in Varanasi and yet its air is always palpably full of piety as if a mystical and invisible dance of life and death is going on ceaselessly.
Kashi Viswanath Temple situated on the outskirts of Varanasi and built in 1780 by Maharani Ahalyabai Holker, is where Lord Shiva resides as deity of Viswaswara or Viswanath making it the most profoundly religious place for Hindus.
Durga Temple came up during 18th century. On the occasion of Nag Panchami festival, the scene of Lord Vishnu reclining on the mystical snake “Shesha” is enacted at the water tank named “Durga Kund”.
Other popular temples are Sankat Mochan Temple, Vyas Temple in Ramnagar, the New Viswanath Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Annapurna Temple, Kalbhairav Temple and Mritunjay Mahadev Temple. Each one has its own religious importance and interesting history or legend behind it.
Bharat Mata Temple is, of course, a unique one. This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. Incredibly, there are no deities inside the temple; a relief map of undivided India made of marble is all that gets adulation from the people instead of their usual prayers.
Ghats, numbering nearly 100, were built by Marathas, Shindes, Holkars, Bhonsles and Peshwars of Maratha regime and these ghats are their gifts to the holy city. Some ghats are cremation sites whereas others are for bathing.
Every evening, an “Agni Pooja” (worship of Fire) at Dashaswamedh Ghat close to Viswanath Temple is performed invoking Lord Shiva, river Ganges, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire) and the whole universe.
Other famous ghats having some stories or legends to tell are Manikarnika Ghat, Harishchandra Ghat, Scindia Ghat, Mana- Mandir Ghat, Lalita Ghat, Mana-Sarowar Ghat and Darbhanga
Ghat.
Special
Events
A panoramic view of the evening “arti” at Dashaswamedh Ghat on a boat ride is certainly a mesmerizing one. It is a Sound-and-Light interplay by priests on wooden platforms chanting Sanskrit mantras to the accompaniment of cymbals and drums. The glistening reflections of the flames on the surface of dark river water and the reverberations of sounds leave everyone awestruck.
Such metaphysical experiences and wonderful visits to temples and ghats each having its own history and legends beckon every traveler to Varanasi as a destination with a difference.
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