Omkar Dattatray
Kashi, also known as Varanasi and Banaras, is one of the most spiritual cities of India. Spiritually, historically, and culturally, it is a significant city not only for India but for the entire world. It is an extremely ancient city. Kashi existed when Rome did not exist. Kashi was there when Egypt was nowhere, and it continued to exist even when Athens no longer remained in its glory. Kashi is a city that connects a person with the inner self and with Godhood. It is the abode of Lord Shiva. As per legend, Kashi is erected on the tip of Lord Shiva’s Trishul (trident). Kashi is a spiritual, religious, historical, and cultural city that has existed since ancient times. It is believed that the darshan of Lord Vishwanath grants Moksha, that is, liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Kashi is thus regarded as the pilgrimage of liberation, Godhood, and self-realisation. Kashi is situated on the banks of the holy River Ganga. Devotees take a holy bath in the Ganga, which is believed to purify sins, and hence the river is called Mokshdayani. Hindus also perform Shraddha, that is, offering Pind Daan for their departed ancestors. Performing Pind Daan gives a sense of spiritual satisfaction to people, as they believe they have offered oblations to their deceased blood relatives. It is also believed that by performing Pind Daan, the departed souls attain peace and heavenly blessings. Kashi is a symbol of India’s culture and civilisation and stands as a living example of communal amity, harmony, and Sarva Dharma Sambhav, for which India stands tall and respected across the globe. Kashi is Hinduism’s holiest city and the eternal abode of Lord Shiva. Known as the “City of Light,” it is a primary pilgrimage site where devotees gather to bathe in the sacred Ganges, wash away sins, and seek Moksha — liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Sadhguru describes Kashi Varanasi as more than just an ancient city; according to him, it is a massive spiritual and cosmic device. He explains that Kashi was designed as a sacred geometric tool or Yantra to map the cosmos. The city originally featured 72,000 shrines corresponding to the 72,000 Nadis, or energy channels, in the human body, thereby acting as a bridge between the microcosm and the macrocosm. The word “Kashi” literally means “to be luminous” or, more particularly, “a tower of light.” Mark Twain once remarked that Kashi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together. Indeed, nobody can truly decipher the exact antiquity of this sacred place.
The core pillars of Kashi’s sacredness are deeply rooted in faith and mythology. First, Kashi is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Kashi is Shiva’s personal domain and the site where the first Jyotirlinga emerged through the earth. The primary shrine, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, houses this divine manifestation. Second, Kashi is associated with the power of Moksha. Hindus believe that dying or being cremated in Kashi grants spiritual liberation and permanently breaks the cycle of reincarnation. Cremation ghats like Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat are considered direct pathways to salvation. Third, the Sacred Ganges forms the spiritual lifeline of Kashi. The city lies on the western crescent of the Ganga, representing a sacred threshold where the river flows northward toward the Himalayas. Bathing in the Ganga at Kashi is believed to cleanse the soul and purify devotees spiritually. Among the essential sites and rituals of Kashi, the Ghats hold immense significance. The city features around eighty riverfront steps used for ritual bathing and ceremonies. The most prominent among them are Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, and Assi Ghat.
The Evening Ganga Aarti is another deeply spiritual ritual performed daily by priests at Dashashwamedh Ghat. This grand fire ceremony is conducted to express gratitude to the River Goddess for her life-sustaining and purifying waters. The Panchakroshi Yatra is a traditional 88-kilometre circumambulation of the city undertaken by devout Hindus to absorb the spiritual energy of Kashi. The Temple Circuit of Kashi extends far beyond the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The city is home to several sacred pilgrimage sites, including the Annapurna Devi Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of nourishment, and the Kal Bhairav Temple, devoted to the fierce guardian deity believed to control the entry and exit of the city. Kashi is also a centre of philosophy and world faiths. Though predominantly a Hindu spiritual hub, its significance extends to other Dharmic religions as well. Located just outside the city is Sarnath, the sacred site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The city is also deeply revered by Jains, as it is believed to be the birthplace of several Tirthankaras.
Kashi is considered the cosmic centre of the universe. According to ancient scriptures, the city was built upon the tip of Lord Shiva’s Trident and is destined to survive even cosmic destruction, or Pralaya, untouched. Its true mystique lies in its status as a gateway to ultimate liberation, making it one of the most enigmatic places on earth. Unravelling the sacred city reveals a blend of ancient lore, architectural geometry, and mystical legends. It is fitting to mention that Lord Shiva and Kashi are regarded as inseparable. There is a legend describing how Lord Shiva and Parvati, after their marriage, decided to leave Kailasha and settle in a Siddha Kshetra. After observing the entire world, they chose Kashi as their divine abode. It is also believed that staying in Kashi for nine days allows pilgrims to complete a traditional spiritual cycle known as the Navratra or the nine-day Kashi Yatra. This extended stay is said to purify the body, mind, and soul, enabling devotees to deeply absorb the divine and spiritual essence of Kashi. |
