This temple represents Anahata chakra in Athar sthalam. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on the sangam where rivers Varana and Assi join river Ganga. Kashi is one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers in India. There are numerous lingas at this place and stories associated with them. Hence we are dividing this article in parts. In this first part we are giving information about the main temple in Kashi i.e. Kashi Vishwanath and in subsequent part(s) we will cover information about remaining temples.
Mulavar: Shri Vishwanathar
Devi: Shri Vishalakshi (in a separate temple)
Sacred Teerthas: 64 bathing ghats along river Ganga, Dwadashaditya Teerthas, Dharmanadi Teertha (also known as Panchanadi)
Puranik Name: Kashi
Present Name: Kashi, Varanasi
It is believed that a tribe known as Kasha used to live in this place and hence the city got its name of Kashi.
About the temple:
The original date of the temple is unknown. It is believed that it was built by Lord Shiva himself some thousands of years ago. During a number of attacks on Varanasi by Mughals, this temple was demolished and a number of times it has been rebuilt during Maratha and Rajput kingdoms. The present temple was built by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar in 1777. The size of the temple is small. Devotees have to go through narrow pathway to reach the temple.
Vishwanath (also known as Vishweshwara) is the most prominent linga in Kashi. That is why Kashi is mostly referred to as Kashi Vishweshwar or Kashi Vishwanath. It is believed that it has stood all ravages of time for almost 5000 years. There are numerous stories, spanning all yugas, of great characters in association with Kashi. For example, the story of King Harishchandra who lived for the upholding the value of truth, perseverance and sacrifice.Then in Treta yuga Lord Shrirama who was himself considered as embodiment of Dharma. Then in Dwaparayuga Lord Krishna who performs all the lilas to revive Dharma. In Kali Yuga, Kashi has survived through foreign invasions.
Lord Shiva has himself commended the activities that take place in this temple right from early morning till night. Kartika month is particularly filled with all sin washing activities such as Ganga snan, Maha Nyasa, Rudra Namakam and Chamakam recitations, Veda parayanas, Shiva linga abhishek with shodashopachar and so on. It is believed that temple’s entry time (pravesha kaal) witnesses outburst of devotion when Gandharvas sing Shiva stutis, Apsaras perform dance, Nandi, Bhairav, Pramathganas, Yakshas, Pishachas, the cream of Sages go wild, Navagrahas, Lokapalas, Devas along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu go in trance while Shiva, Parvati, Vinayaka and Skanda bless all.
Shri Vishalakshi Temple
Near to Shri Vishwanath temple, is Shri Vishalakshi temple which is considered as one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. It is believed that Mother Sati's earrings fail at this place. Mother Sati is the previous incarnation of Mother Parvati. Vishalakshi means wide eyed.
There are some places (Ghats), temples and journeys (yatras within Kashi) which carry very high spiritual value.
Ghat
- Manikarnika Ghat
Temples
- Shri Vishweshwara
- Shri Bhavani temple
- Shri Harishchandreshwara
- Shri Dhundiraj
- Shri Dandapani
- Shri Bhairav
- Shri Vighneshwar
Yatra
- Antargruha Yatra
- Dakshina-manas Yatra
- Uttara-manas Yatra
- Pancha-kroshi Yatra
- Shukla-Krishna-Paksha Yatra
- Nitya Yatra
In subsequent part(s) we will cover more temples in Kashi.
Courtesy:
- Wikipedia
- kamakoti.org
No comments:
Post a Comment