Kashi Vishwanath
(9th Jyotirlinga)
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Sānandamānandavane vasantaṃ
Anandakandaṃ hatapāpabṛndam
Vārāṇasīnāthamanāthanāthaṃ
Srīviśvanāthaṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadye
Story behind the Twelve Jyotirlingas
Hinduism plays a significant role in human life from Krutha, Thretha and Dwapara eras continuing in present Kali era. In the entire eras, God wears several incarnations to punish evil and to protect sages and his devotees. The demons get boons from Brahma, the creator and used to show their sadism on sages and devotees of God in all these eras. Vishnu, status god and Shiva the destructor wear several incarnations to punish the evils and protect sages and their devotees from their harassment. The places where Vishnu and Shiva wear incarnations spread all over India are came in to existence as holy places with the respective incarnation names. There are 64 Temples of Shiva and twelve only being called as Dwadasa Jyothirlingas and holy places of Shiva The holy places of Dwadasa Jyothirlingas spread from Kedareswar in north to Rameswaram in South and from Vaidhyanath in the east to Somanath of Gujarat in the West protecting our nation from times immemorial.
The legend is that Brahma and Vishnu argued about supreme creation. Shiva prepared the three worlds as an endless Jyothirlinga pillar of light. Brahma decides to travel downwards along with the pillar and Vishnu to treavel upwards respectively, to find the end of the light. Brahma lied that he had found the end, while Vishnu agreed his defeat. Shiva appeared as a second pillar of light and find the lie told by Brahma. Shiva got angry on Brahma and cursed Brahma him not to have place in ceremonies and Vishnu would be worshipped in eras. Darshan of Dwadasha jyothirlingas feasible only on Spiritual culmination of human being. Every jyothirlingam became familiar with different names in the name of local shrine.
Everyone will have dream to visit Varanasi (Kasi) once in their life time. Kasi Viswanath of Varanasi is the 9th Jyothirlinga among the 12 (Dwadasa) Jyothirlingas. At the first visit of Varanasi , generally pilgrims stay for 9 nights in Varanasi. It is believed that stay for 9 nights in Varanasi gives blessings of Lord Siva. During their visit of Varanasi, Pilgrims may visit the local temples during their stay.
Varanasi is not the creation of Brahma and it came from the heart of Vishnu and Shiva himself formed Varanasi before the creation of the Universe. It is believed that Shiva will protect Kasi from drowning lifting on his Trisul. Legends says that Kasi is one of the seven Moksha Dwarams that Viswanaadha jyothirlingam is one among the Dwadasa Jyothirlingas and bathing in Ganga along with Dharsan of Bhindu Madhava, Dundi Vignesa, Viswanatha, Visalakshi, and Kalabhairava is most important in Kasi Dharsan. Without previous birth reward Kalabhairava not allow for the entrance into Varanasi, the rewards and sins of every pilgrim maintained by Kalabhairav and Dundi Vinayak and they impose punishment and consider from reborn of the pilgrim. The persons died in Varanasi (Kasi) will have no rebirth and Shiva appear to give Moksha by speaking Taraka Mantra in the right ear of the expired person. The persons resides in Varanasi will get the reward of making all Yagams and Yogas and hence people will have desire to reside in Varanasi in their last stage. It is believed that the persons whose ashes were merged in Ganga will born in Varanasi and elevated by Lord Shiva.
The Cows in Varanasi protrude people and the dead bodies won’t release bad smell. The right ear of every human being will be in raising posisition as it is believed that Lord Shiva will speak Taraka Mantra in the ear of the deceased. The Pooja will be opened to Lord Shiva with the ash of dead bodies. Any reward or sin performed in Varanasi will give millions folds. It is believed that our hand striates will be changed after conducting Abhisekham to Viswanath. Vusalakshmi and Maa Annapoorna bless the pilgrims in Varanasi. In olden days the viswanath temple surrounded and protected by the buildings constructed by the Dieties, Sages and Kings. The Mandir destroyed in the invasions of the Mughal Emporers and the present new temple was constructed in the reign of Ahalya Bhai Holker, princess of Indre. Kasi smaranam Moksha kaarakam.
Varanasi having air facility and the air port is at 20 km from the town. Varanasi Jn is the nearest railway station which is at a distance of 6 km from the town. Plenty of trains passed through Varanasi from all the cities in the Country. There are plenty of Hotels Cheap/Mediam/Luxury hotels as per the budget of Pilgrims. Besides there are Ashrams and Choultries to every community. Manasa Sarovar is the centre point to the town and so many Ashrams Tarakarama Andhra Seva Ashram, Cycle Swamy Ashram etc in Manasa Saravar. Besides there are plenty of Athidi Gruhas in Manasa Sarovar to accommodate pilgrims. It is better to stay in Manasa Sarovar since the temple is within 2 km (walk able) and nearly 8 Bathing Ghats. Sri Gayatri Nityannadana Sataram was established in Hari Hara Bagh D.No. 7/131, behind Chintamani Ganesh Temple and near to Sai Baba Temple to serve the pilgrims visits Varanasi by providing AC and Non AC rooms on nominal rates on sharing basis to 3 persons and free meals facility. Pilgrims may reserve rooms through Phone No.0542-2450347 or through mail to sgnsas@gmail.com.
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlingam
Kashi Vishvanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples located in Varanasi and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, It is believed that all people irrespective of gender of SAGGITARIUS Zodic sign visit and worship the Naganath Jyothirlingam will be relieved from all their hurdles in life.
Places to see around Kashi
(Duddi Ganapathi Mandir) Sakshi Vinayaka Temple
The Temple Close to Annapurna Temple at the entrance gate to group of temples of Lord Visweswara. Sakshi Vinayaka or the “witness-bearing Lord Ganesha or Vinayaka” will be worshiped firstly to have smooth and pleasant pilgrimage. Though the idol of Lord Ganesh on the plinth is grand but strictly in architectural terms, it cannot be termed as temple. On the road between these two temples is a red glaring figure of Lord Ganesh, with silver hands, trunk, feet, ears, and poll, squatting down on the floor, which is raised a little above the pathway. Maratha Peshwa was constructed the themple inthe 18th Century.
Annapoorna Mandir
Annapurna Devi Mandir known as Annapurna Mata Mandir is most famous Hindu Temple. This temple is nearer to Viswanath mandir. This temple has great religious importance. Annapurna is the Hindu goddess for nourishment and is a form of the goddess Parvati. The Mandir was constructed in the 18th century by Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao. It is believed that the raw rice used in the worship of Maa Annapoorna distributed as Prasadam has great importance and Pilgrims put the rice in the rice storage in their home and they believe that Annapoorna Devi give her blessings not to become the storage empty.
Visalakshi Mandir (Sakthi Peeth)
The Vishalakshi Temple (Sakthi Peeth) dedicated to the goddess Vishalakshi, at Mir Ghat on the banks of the Ganges. It is one of the 18 Sakthi Peethams, the most sacred temple dedicated to the Hindu Divine Mother.
Kalabhairav Mandir
Kaal Bhairav Mandir is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Varanasi, India. Situated in Bharonath, Vishweshwarganj, this temple has great historical and cultural importance in Hinduism; especially amongst the locals. Every one visits Varanasi must visit Kalabhairav Mandir at every time. It is believed that Kalabhairav will report our presence in Kasi to Visweswar Maharaj.
Vyasa Khasi
Vyasa Temple is located in the Ramnagar at the opposite side of Varanasi at the bank of holy River Gange. The temple is in the Ramnagar Fort and the Fort consisting of a museum of the Swords, Pallakis and others used by the Kings. This temple is dedicated to the Veda Vyasa. He was the author of the great epic known as Mahabharata. Vyasa Temple is a must see place in the Ramnagar and has a lot crowd through the year. It is considered that the Lord Shiva had banished the Vyasa from Varanasi because of his bad temper and Vyasa had to stay up on the other side of the Gangea at Ramnagar. From that time Vyasa was not allowed to come in the Varanasi and he made a temple in the Ramnagar at the eastern bank of the Ganga and had started to live there.
Varahi Devi Temple
The temple located 150 Yarads to Dhasaswameth Ghat and Manmandir Ghat. You may take guidance to reach the temple from local people. The temple kept open from 5-30AM to 7-30AM after Haratti and remains closed for the entire day. Varahi is a powerful Goddess and located in the ground level. A marble slab will be opened and pilgrims may make darsan through the hole only. We could not see the Devi directly. Except the priest no one allowed to enter into the ground level. It is learnt that a newly married couple came to the temple and insisted the priest to permit to visit Varahi. The priest explained to them stating that teat the Goddess will have two shades, one is the soft shade which allow to see the Goddess directly, and the other is the angry shade which is not feasible to made darshan directly. The pair neglected the suggestion of the priest and made darshan of the Maa. They feared from the angry shade and died on the spot itself.
Ganga Aarthi
Gange aarti is the glorious event during evening in the Varanasi at Dashashwamedh Ghat that one must not miss to see it. Huge crowd will be present to this beautiful ritual makes every moment of the evening period special and fills with the spiritual thoughts. Brass lamps which accompanied with the mantra chant in the presence of the huge crowd gives pilgrims pleasant atmosphere and devotion over Lord Shiva.
All the five priests who have to perform the aarti, wear same cloth, the dhoti and kurta which is tightly bind with a long towel. First they make preparation of the Gange aarti by making collection of the five elevated planks, a multi tiered oil lamp, an idol of the Goddess Ganga, flowers, incense sticks, a conch shell, a big and heavy brass lamp having a snake hood at the edge of the River Gange.
A group of boats filled with devotees come around the place of aarti at the bank of River. They are very eager to see the event; some of them take live video, photos as well. Ritual of the Gange aarti is performed by the students of the Vedas and Upanishads which is lead by the head priest of the Gangotri Seva Samiti. The whole event takes around 45 minutes.
Besides to the said 7 prominent temples there are so many temples and Pilgrims may visit all the temples in lea sure when they can spare 9 nights in Varanasi. Further Pilgrims may perform rituals to their ancestors in Gaya and Allahabad along with Varanasi. It is also to note that 50 percent of pilgrims come to Varanasi from South Indian States and probably 20 percent from Andhra. We may be trouble as 80 percent of the local are well spoken Telugu besides other languages.
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