Varanasi is one are the oldest living city’s in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus, who believe that to die in the city is to attain instant salvation. Situated on the banks of the Ganga , Varanasi is the tract of holy land lying between the rivers Varuna and Assi. Which flow into the Ganga. Varanasi is also known as Kashi, the city of light , since one of the twelve ’’Jyotirlinga’’ is installed here. Mark twain, the American writer who visited the city, wrote ’’Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, even older than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together’’ Varanasi has been a great cultural center, especially in the field of music, learning and the craft of silk weaving. Some of most renowned exponents of music have drawn their inspiration from Varanasi.
Varanasi - Benares - Kashi is considered to be the holiest of all pilgrimage sites in India. It is considered home to Shiva - Visweswara. Benares is also known as Kashi because it is believed 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.
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.
Benares has been a pilgrimage center since time immemorial. It is believed that the fifth head of Brahma, which clung to Shiva’s palms, became unstuck only after he reached Varanasi. Varanasi has been mentioned in the Tamil Tevaram hymns of the first millennium. Kashi 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.
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 is situated here 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.
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.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Also known as the Golden Temple , it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Varanasi is said to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light by which shiva manifested has supremacy over others gods, broke through the Earth’s crust and flared towards the heavens. More than the Ghats and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remains the devotional focus of Varanasi.
Other Temples
There are 198 important Temples in the holy city of Varanasi. Keeping in view of tourist interest these are a few of the important Temples:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
New Kashi Vishwanath Temple, BHU
Durga Temple
Kal Bhaurav Temple
Magala Gauri Temple
Vishalakshi Temple
Chausatti Devi Temple
Kamaksha Devi Temple
Mahishasur Mardani Temple
Baba Kinaram Temple
Tailang Swami Temple
Nepali Temple
Tulsi Manas Temple
Sankat Mochan Temple
Bharat Mata Temple
Sankata Ji Temple
Maha Murtunjai Temple
Bathuk Bhairav / Adi Bhairav Temple
Guru Vrispati Temple
Kedareshwar Temple
Badae Hanuman Ji Temple
Baijnath Temple
Sarangnath Temple
BAUDH STHAL
Dharamrajika Stoop
Chaukhandi Stoop
Dhamek Stoop
Bhaudh Bihar (Puravshesh)
Ashok Stanbh
Mulgandh Kuti Bihar
Thai Temple
Barma`s Temple
Japani Temple
Tibbatian Temple
Chainij Temple
Koriya Temple
JAIN STHAL