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    Indian's Heritage of Kashi "Varanasi"
    Indian's Heritage of Kashi "Varanasi"
    Indian's Heritage of Kashi "Varanasi"
    Ebook125 pages1 hour

    Indian's Heritage of Kashi "Varanasi"

    By Swatantra Bahadur

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    About this ebook

    Varanasi India's Spiritual Sanctuary,

    Nestled along the banks of the sacred Ganges River, Varanasi, known as Kashi in ancient scriptures, is a city that pulsates with the essence of India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Revered as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi is a tapestry of history, spirituality, and mysticism.

    In this captivating exploration of Varanasi's heritage, we embark on a journey through its labyrinthine alleys, adorned with centuries-old temples, ghats, and vibrant markets. We unravel the threads of history that weave through the city's very fabric, dating back thousands of years. From the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the tranquil shores of the Ganges, Varanasi's heritage resonates with the echoes of pilgrims, poets, and philosophers who have sought solace and enlightenment in its sacred embrace.

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSwatantra Bahadur
    Release dateOct 1, 2023
    ISBN9798223555773
    Indian's Heritage of Kashi "Varanasi"
    Author

    Swatantra Bahadur

    Instagram Id - swatantrabahadur15 Email Id - [email protected]

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      Book preview

      Indian's Heritage of Kashi "Varanasi" - Swatantra Bahadur

      Disclaimer

      The information presented in this book is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice or judgment. The author and publisher are not responsible for any action taken by readers based on the information provided in this book. Readers should seek appropriate professional advice or conduct their own research before making decisions related to the topics discussed in this book. The views expressed in this book are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.

      Contents

      Chapter 1 : Banaras- An Introduction

      Chapter 2: The Names Of The Holy City

      Chapter 3: Origin Of The Temple City- Varanasi

      Chapter 4: Historical Background & Importance of Varanasi

      Chapter 6: Varanasi And The Rise Of Great Gods

      Chapter 7: Temples Of Banaras

      Chapter 7.1: Kashi Vishwanath Temple

      Chapter 7.2: Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

      Chapter 7.3: Durga Kund Mandir

      Chapter 7.4: Tulsi Manas Temple

      Chapter 7.5: Kal Bhairav Temple

      Chapter 7.6: Annapurna Temple

      Chapter 7.7: New Vishwanath Temple

      Chapter 7.8: Vishalakshi Temple

      Chapter 7.8: Vishalakshi Temple

      Chapter 7.9: Mritunjay Mahadeva Mandir

      Chapter 7.10: Amethi Temple

      Chapter 8: Sarnath

      Chapter 9: Sanskrit Sources For The Study Of Banaras

      Chapter 1 : Banaras- An Introduction

      Banaras is a magnificent city, rising from the western bank of the River Ganges, where the river takes a broad crescent sweep toward the north. There is a little in the world to compare with the splendour of Banaras, seen from the river at dawn. The rays of the early-morning sun spread across the river and strike the high-banked face of the city. The temples and shrines, ashrams and pavilions that stretch along the river for over three miles are golden in the early morning. They rise majestic on the high riverbank and cast deep reflections into the waters of the Ganges. Long flights of stone steps called ghats, reaching like roots into the river, bring thousands of worshippers down to the river to barhe at dawn. The riverfront reveals the sources of Kashi’s ancient reputation as the sacred city of the Hindus. Along the river there are over seventy barhing ghats. Also along the river are dozens of temples with high spires, most of them dedicated to Lord Shiva, who according to tradition makes this city his permanent earthly home. Great temples like Kedareshvara sit atop their own ghats, while innumerable small shrines along the river are barely large enough for a single linga, the simple stone shaft that is the symbol of shiva. Along the temples there are ashrams, such as Anandamayi ashram, built at the top of the ghat steps. They continue a tradition of spiritual education for which Kashi has long been famous. At dawn students of all ages practice yogic exercises breath control or meditational disciplines on the steps by the river. Finally, there are the riverside cremation grounds at Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika ghat, recognizable by the smoke that rises from the pyres of the dead. Elsewhere, in traditional India, the cremation ground is outside of town, for it is polluted ground. Here, however, the cremation grounds are in the midst of a busy city, adjacent to the bathing ghats, and are holy ground, for death in Kashi is acclaimed by the tradition as a great blessing. Dying here, one grains liberation from the earthly round of samsara.

      For over 2500 years this city has attracts pilgrims and seekers from all over india. Sages such as Mahavira and Sankara have come here to teach. Young men have come to study the Vedas with the city’s great pandits. Householders have come on pilgrimage, some to bring the ashes of a deceased parent to commit to the river Ganges. Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. It occupied its high bank overlooking the Ganges in the cradle days of the Western civilization.

      A multitude of Hindu deities is visible everywhere in Varanasi. Over the doorways of the temples and houses sits the plump, orange, elephant-headed Ganesha. On the walls of tea stalls and tailor shops hang gaudy polychrome icons of Lakshmi or Krishna. And on the whitewashed walls of houses and public buildings the episodes of shiva’s marriage to Parvati or Rama’s battle with the ten- headed Ravana, are printed afresh after the season of the rains by local folk artists. In temple some sees the Linga of shiva, or the four armed image of Vishnu, or the silver mask of the goddess Durga. Such images are crafted according to the carefully prescribed rules of iconography and iconometry.

      About the history of Banaras Mark Twain, who visited around the world wrote, Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together. Besides Jerusalem, Athens, Peking and Mecca, Varanasi is the only city living for last four thousand years. This can be witnessed through every tourist eyes. As Jerusalem and Athens are having western and modern touch moreover. They changed their lifestyle, traditions, behaviour and culture which, can be marked in churches. But in Kashi even thousand years back as god was worshipped, till today it is followed with the same tradition, values and even with similar dressing sense. Vedas, Upanishads in Sanskrit are still taught in Varanasi henceforth the numbers of students are increasing for it. It is also the center for learning yoga, palmistry, astrology, Sanskrit, Hinduism and history of 36 crore gods and goddesses.

      This city has given leadership of Late Lal Bahadur Sastri, Sampurnanand and Pt. Kamalapati Tripathi to the country besides internationally famed musicians like Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, Padamvibhushan Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Padambhushan Girija Devi, Pt. Rajan & Sajan Mishra and Sitara Devi as well as great novelist Premchand and litterateur Jai Shanker Prasad adorned the Varanasi by their great contribution to the art and literature. The Paradox of Varanasi is highlighted as it is a lively city, with something or the other happening somewhere or the other at all hours. There is also a deep sense of peace, serenity and spirituality all around.

      Varanasi has fascinated visitors like Fa-Hien and Huen-Tsang also from time immemorial, who were entranced by the city. Some call it the "Spiritual

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