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Varanasi: Shiva’s Eternal City

Sunrise at the Holy Ghats of Varanasi, India silentwings_M_Ghosh - Shutterstock
Sunrise at the Holy Ghats of Varanasi, India silentwings_M_Ghosh - Shutterstock

Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Benares, traces its origins to the heart of Hindu mythology and tradition. Its name is rooted in two tributary rivers that flow through it –the Varuna and the Assi. Located on the north bank of the Ganges, Varanasi has long been known as the “City of Light,” a title derived from the Sanskrit root kaś, meaning “to shine.” The name Kashi is said to evokes the luminous presence of the gods that have guided pilgrims for centuries. Also known as Avimukta, meaning “never abandoned by Shiva,” Varanasi is considered an eternal city that grants liberation, or moksha, to those who seek it.

In Hindu belief, Varanasi was founded by Shiva himself, who arrived here in a display of both conquest and holiness. According to legend, after a fierce confrontation between Shiva and Brahma, one of Brahma’s five heads was severed and dishonored by Shiva. As Shiva roamed with Brahma’s head as a sign of his victory, he arrived at Varanasi, where the head fell from his hand and merged with the earth, marking the place as sacred ground. This myth established Varanasi as a holy city.

A city of many names and enduring legends

Throughout Hindu scriptures, Varanasi has acquired epithets that speak to its spiritual status. It is often called Ānamdakānana, the “forest of bliss;” Rudravāsa, meaning “where Rudra (Shiva) resides;” and Mahāśmaśāna, the “great cremation ground,” explaining Varanasi’s traditional association with death, rebirth, and the cycle of existence. These names capture its reputation as a place where the eternal and the temporary worlds are said to intersect.

Varanasi’s aura is not limited to Hinduism alone; it holds significance in Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions. In Buddhism, it is considered the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The Lion Capital of Ashoka, a nearby 5th-century BC relic, commemorates this event and serves as a reminder of Varanasi’s role in fostering a harmonious gathering of traditions across ages.

Pilgrimages in Hinduism, a matter of purification

The Ghats: Paths to Liberation

One of the most distinctive features of Varanasi is its ghats – stepped embankments that line the Ganges River, providing pilgrims with spaces to perform rituals, meditate, and seek blessings. Dashashwamedh Ghat, said to have been created by Brahma to welcome Shiva, is perhaps the most famous. Other ghats, such as Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are revered as cremation grounds that some Hindus believe can lead to moksha –release from the cycle of rebirth.

Manikarnika Ghat, one of the holiest of them all, is steeped in mythology. According to legend, it was here that Shiva dug a pond with his trident, the Manikarnika Kund, and lost one of his earrings –thus making the site sacred. The flames of cremation rituals here are believed to purify the soul and provide a direct path to salvation for those who pass through.

Centers of Worship: Temples and Enduring Legends

Varanasi is home to countless temples dedicated to various Hindu deities, each contributing to the city’s spiritual landscape. At its heart is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva, which attracts millions of visitors every year. Originally built by Rajput nobles under the patronage of Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, it stands as a symbol of endurance through centuries of invasion and conflict. Temples dedicated to Hanuman, Durga, and Vishnu also dot the city.

In addition to temples, educational centers have long contributed to Varanasi’s reputation as a place of knowledge. The Benares Sanskrit College, founded in 1791, stands alongside the Banaras Hindu University as centers of learning where traditional wisdom is preserved and passed down, cementing Varanasi as an enduring seat of Hindu culture.

The Eternal Cycle: Death, Rebirth, and Pilgrimage

For Hindus, Varanasi holds unparalleled significance as a destination for both spiritual and temporal journeys. It is one of the seven holy cities, or Sapta Puri, believed to grant liberation –along with Ayodhya, Mathura, and others. This belief attracts thousands who wish to die in the holy city or have their ashes scattered in the Ganges, completing the cycle of rebirth and attaining moksha.

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