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Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Darshan, Temples in Varanasi, History of Kashivishwanath

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Sapta Mokshadaayi Puris - Kashi - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
    
It is the 3rd largest city in Uttar Pradesh and is also considered as the cultural capital of India.
    
The name Kashi is derived from the fact that it gives prakash (light) of Brahma or God), and the location between Varuna and Asi rivers gives it the name Varanasi.
    
One of the 7 mokshdaayi Puries in India, Kashi is a holy city for not only Shaivs, Vaishnavs, and Shakts but also Jains and Buddhists.
    
Kashi is considered as the most ancient continually inhabited city in the world.
    
It is famous for its Banarasi sarees and brass vessels not only in India but even abroad. The diesel rail engine workshop is also situated here.
   
Nirguna Saint Kabir, Saguna Saint Tulsidas, Writer Premchand, Dramatist and poet JaishankarPrasad, etc. have been associated with this city.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
Skand Puran mentions 12 names of Kashi like Kashi, Varanasi, Avimukt, Anand-Kanan, Rudrawas, Mahashmashan, Tapsthali, Muktibhumi, Shri Shivpuri etc., each of which has different spiritual qualities.
    
 According to the Puranas, Shiv built the city on his trident as his residence after marrying Parvati. Therefore, it is said that this city will never get destroyed even during the Pralay Kaal (annihilation of the universe).
    
The Skand Puran states that of the 7 Puris, only Kashi gives direct moksh. The rest of the Puris give an indirect moksh through Kashi.
   
In Shiv Puran, Shiv states that he is present in every particle of the city.
    
Kashi is believed to be associated with a number of Gods. The Puranas mention it as Aadyavaishnav Bhoomi. Brahma is also believed to have performed 10 Ashwamedh yagnas here.
    
Skand Puran mentions it as more prestigious than heaven and other lokas. It is stated as the mokshdaayini that cuts off the bonds of all worldly attachments.
   
According to Shakt belief, a famous Shaktipeeth is also situated here. The Shakti here is called Vishalakshi Devi whose Bhairav is Kaal Bhairav.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
Archaeological evidences, Jain religious scriptures, Rig Ved, and descriptions by Shatpath Brahman indicate that the existence of Kashi can be dated back to over 3000 years in history.
   
During Buddha’s times, Kashi was ruled by the Koshal kingdom. When Mahakoshal, the king of Koshal married his daughter to the Magadh ruler. Bimbisar, the city was gifted to Magadh as part of the dowry.
   
After the attainment of knowledge, Buddha gave his first sermon here in Sarnath which is known as Dhammachakra Pravartan by the Buddhists.
   
Maurya Emperor Ashok built a stupa in Sarnath and also erected a pillar whose top portion is now the national emblem of India.
   
It was a centre of the Heenyan Buddhists during Harsha’s time. Huan Tsang in his literature has mentioned the huge Shiv idol located here.
   
After 1094 A.D., it became the capital of the kings of Gaharwal dynasty. Laxmidhar, the minister of King Govindchand of this dynasty, has mentioned about the hundreds of temples of Kashi in his book Kritya Kalpataru.
   
In the middle ages, Banaras was a centre of attraction for the Muslim invaders. Qutubuddin Aibak, Firoz Tuglak, and Sikandar Lodi along with Aurangzeb tried to destroy the temples and the culture of this city.
   
After the fall of the Mughals, King Balwant Singh took over Banaras. However, in 1775 A.D., the city came under the British. In 1791 A.D., Cornwallis started a Sanskrit college in Banaras.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
    
Important ghats:
 
The Ganga flows in a crescent shape in Kashi, and the city is believed to extend from Varuna ghat to Asi ghat. Lying in between them are numerous important ghats worth seeing.
    
Varuna ghat:
 
The belief is that Lord Vishnu came here as an ambassador to Shiv. Situated here is the Aadi Keshav Temple. A fair festival is also held here on Mahavaaruni festivals.
    
Panchganga ghat:
 
It is believed that Vishnu will always reside here. Huge crowds of devotees gather here for a bath in the Kartik month.
    
Mani Karnika ghat:
 
One can see the temple of Lord Veereshwar and the Mani Karnika pond here. A cremation ground is situated close by where the final rites are performed.
    
Dashashwamedh ghat:
 
This ghat finds a mention in Rigved. It is said that Brahma himself performed 10 Ashwamedh yagnas here. A fair is held on the Dashmi Shukla of Jyeshtha month.
   
Asi ghat:
 
An Asi Meghmeshwar Mahadev temple can be seen on this ghat situated on the confluence of Asi and Ganga. A bath on Kartik Krishna Shashti holds special significance.
   
 
Besides these, the other important ghats are Harishchandra ghat, Scindia ghat, Kedar ghat, Gau ghat, Lalita ghat etc.
 
   
    
Vishwanath Temple:
 
This ancient temple was destroyed by Aurangzeb in 1669 A.D. The new temple was built by Ahilyabai Holkar in 1776 A.D. The domes were covered with layers of gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab.
    
Durga Temple:
 
Made from red stone, this temple has Durga in the Kushmanda form. The Navratri fair held here is particularly attractive.
    
Sankatmochan Temple:
 
The Hanuman idol here was instated by Tulsidas. It came into limelight after the terrorist explosion in 2006.
    
Tulsidas Manas Temple:
 
Built in 1964 A.D., this temple has the complete Ramcharitmanas inscribed while the second floor has paintings related to it.
    
Bharat Mata Temple:
 
This temple is a symbol of Indian Nationalism where a map of India can be seen instead of any idol.
    
Nepali Temple:
 
Situated on Lalita ghat and made of wood from Nepal, this temple is famous for its erotic pictures.
    
Naveen Vishwanath Temple:
 
This marble temple built due to the efforts of Malviyaji, is situated on the campus of Banaras Hindu University.
    
Banaras Hindu University:
 
Founded in 1917 by Malviyaji, it is currently Asia’s largest university.
    
Ramnagar Fort:
 
A residence of the Maharaja of Banaras, it has a beautiful museum displaying pieces of art.
    
Sarnath:
 
7 km from Banaras, it was here that Mahatma Buddha gave his first sermon. The Archaeology Department of India conducted an extensive excavation at this site in 1905 A.D.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Kashi Yatra:
  Pilgrims visiting Kashi undertake a number of holy yatras like:
   
Panch teerthi yatra:
 
During this yatra, the pilgrims bathe at 5 main ghats and then offer darshan to the Gods. The sequence of the baths at the ghats is—Asi ghat, Dashashwamedh ghat, Aadikeshav, Panchganga, and Mani Karnika ghat.
    
Mauni Yatra:
 
This yatra commences with a bath on the Mani Karnika ghat followed by a darshan of the different forms of Shiv-Shakti and then ends with a bath again on the Mani Karnika ghat. The devotees are supposed to be silent throughout this yatra.
   
Panchkosi yatra:
 
During this 5-day yatra, the pilgrims undertake a parikrama (encircle) of entire Kashi.
   
Mahashivratri:
 
This is the biggest festival in Kashi which is celebrated in the month of Magh. On this occasion, a huge procession of Shiv is carried out.
   
Ramnavmi:
 
This Ramjanmotsav celebrated on Navmi of Chaitra month, attracts devotees to Sankatmochan Temple and Manas Temple.
   
Dashahra:
 
Primarily a festival for the followers of Shakti, it is celebrated in Durga Temple and Vishalakshi Temple. Ramleela is also organised at different places on this occasion.
   
Hanuman Jayanti:
 
This festival is organised in the Sankatmochan Temple.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas
 
 Shri Krishna Dharmshala  Cant Station
 Satyanarayan Dharmshala  Baans Phatak
 Parvati devi Dharmshala  Mani Karnika Ghat
 Laxmiram Dharmshala  Vishwanath Temple
   
Hotels:
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Hotel Narendra
 Address
 G. T. Road, Banaras
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2208121 / 3
 Fax
 +91 - 542 - 2208121 / 3
 Website
 www.hotelnaren.com
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Seeta Guest House
 Address
 22 / 16, Chausatthi Ghat (Rana Ghat), Near Dashashwamedh   Ghat, Varanasi
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2450061
 Website
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Scindia Ghat
 Address
 Scindia Ghat, Old City, Varanasi
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2420319
 Website
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Hotel Siddharth
 Address
 D 58 / 9 - A, Sigra, Varanasi - 221 001, UP
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2221961
 Website
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Hotel Divya
 Address
 B - 1/ 101, A - B Assi, Varanasi
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2311305, 3248989
 Fax
 E-mail
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Clark’s Varanasi
 Address
 The Mall, Cantonment, Varanasi, UP - 221 004
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2501011 / 28
 Website
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Taj Ganges
 Address
 Nadesar Palace Grounds, Varanasi, UP - 221 002
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2503001
 Website
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Radisson Hotel
 Address
 The Mall, Cantonment, Varanasi, UP - 221 002
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2501515
 Fax
 +91 - 542 - 2501516
 E-mail
 Website  www.radisson.com/varanasiin
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  80.71 metres  1110 mm
 25.18˚ N  82.7˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum 
23
27
33
39
41
39
33
32
32
32
29
25
 Minimum
9
11
17
22
27
28
26
26
25
21
13
9
   
 
Important Informations
May - June witnesses extremes of heat while in December - January, the city under the siege of fog.
The best time for touring Banaras is February to April and September to November.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 0542
 Puja Timings  4.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  +91 - 542 - 2502020 
 Hospital &  Ambulance
  +91 - 542 - 2309308 
 Currency  Exchange
 State Bank of India, Varanasi City, Varanasi,   
 UP - 221 001, Tel: 91 - 542 - 2393104 
 Allahabad Bank, Taksal Theatre Building, Nadesar,   Varanasi,   UP - 221 002, Tel: 91 - 542 - 2504281 
 ATM Centre  ICICI Bank
 HPCL, Kiran Service Station, Lahartara, Varanasi
 SBI
 Shop No. 1, Shakambhari Compound,Varanasi,
 UP  - 221 001
 Post Office
 Kashi Vishwanath Temple (NDTSO), Varanasi  Taluka,  
 Dist. Varanasi
 Tourist Office
  Government of India Tourism Office, 15 B,
 The Mall, Cant, Varanasi, Tel: 91 - 542 - 2343744 
 Restaurants
 Gangotri restaurant (Dashashwamedh  Ghat), 
 Yelchico  Bar & Restaurant (Godaulia)
 Shopping
Banaras is famous for silk sarees and the  embroidery work on them.
Various handicraft articles and dhurries, brass  and  copper vessels, stone Shivling and statues  etc.
Different items for puja, rudraksh, tulsi, mala,  crystal etc.
Musical instruments like sarangi, harmonium,  tabla etc.
The above can be bought from Vishwanath Gali,  Godaulia Emporium (silk products), Tateri Bazar  (metal ware), Lahurabir, UPICA, Handloom House  etc.
   
 
Food
Banarasi Langda mango, Banarasi Paan (Banarasi patta), Mishrambu thandai, Banarasi chatpatey (Papdi chaat), Banarasi rabdi, Rasgulla, Mawa etc.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconkashi.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Lucknow
Kanpur
Allahabad
Varanasi
Satna
Patna
Gaya
Railway: 
 Main Railway Station
  Station Road
 Lucknow  LJN
 Faizabad  FD
 Ayodhya  AY
 Allahabad  AY
 Varanasi  BSB
 Mirjhapur  MZP
 Chitrakutdham  CKTD
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Allahabad  Lucknow  216km
 Kanpur  202km
 Varanasi  147km
 Mirzapur  112km
 Faizabad  170km
 Varanasi  Lucknow  309km
 Allahabad  147km
 Mirzapur  034km
 Patna  235km
 Faizabad  204km
 Ayodhya  Lucknow  152km
 Allahabad  176km
 Faizabad  008km
 Gorakhpur  135km
 Mirzapur  216km
 Chitrakutdham  Allahabad  098km
 Mirzapur  205km
 Kanpur  190km
 Satna  080km
 Vindhyachal  Varanasi  059km
 Satna  065km
 Illahabad  090km
 Mirzapur  009km

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