The uniqueness and distinctiveness of a place are the unique aspects of a sacred place where genius loci and the values of the human environment are deeply rooted and maintained in sacred ways-as more commonly reflected in the variety of images and forms of divinities and associated pilgrimage rituals.
The word Kashi means 'concentration of cosmic light Kashi is the oldest name and first used in the Atharva Veda (5.22. 4), a ca 18th century BCE text: "Kashi shines and illumines the universe Kashi makes moksha (liberation) dawn on everybody by giving wisdom". In the period of the Mahabharata, Kashi refers to the sacred city and its territory, which is comparable to the present area of Kashi Kshetra delineated by the Panchakroshi Yatra circuit. Kashi is also interpreted as a derivation of Kasha, who was the 7th king of the earliest known dynasty ruling over Kashi, and it was named after him. According to another version, it is said that the area was dominated by a tall silver flowering grass called Kasha (Sacccharum spontaneum), and that is how it received the name Kashi. The Kashi Khanda (26.27) mentions that Bhagavan (Lord) Shiva, being settled on the three high peaks in Varanasi (Kashi), spreads light all around the city, thus the name Kashi. The rays of the early-morning sun spread across the river and strike the high-banked face of this city-making this place the Luminous, the City of Light.
The Kashi Rahasya (14.39) mentions that Shiva himself explains: "My lingas are everywhere there, like little sprouts arisen out of sheer bliss" (also see Skanda Purana, V1.26:35) Thus, it is called the Forest of Bliss (Anandavana, or Anandakanana). The remnants of the five old forests are now preserved as the names of the neighbourhoods. The Puranic sources describe the 'Forest of Bliss' as a garden paradise sprinkled with the waters of the heavenly Ganga River. Here, everything exists and bestows bliss. Therefore, all those who crave the supreme bliss or mukti (liberation) and all varieties of living beings desire to come and live here.
The Kashi Khanda (35.10) says, "The Ganga River, Shiva, and the divine city of Kashi make the Trinity of grace and perfect bliss" The Trinity is symbolised by the three hillocks as the three forks of Shiva's trident on which the city exists-Omkareshvara in the north, Vishveshvara in the central part, and Kedareshvara in the south Blessed by Shiva, Bhagirath brought the goddess Ganga to the earth, who provides vital life to Kashi and the wide range of the plains. The mythical figure Devodasa became a divine king of the city but finally handed it over to Shiva. Shiva left Mount Kailash and settled here in a variety of forms. There are more than three thousand forms of Shiva lingas.
According to ancient folklore of Bharat-India, there are 33 koti (distinct varieties) of divine beings in the cosmos that one can perceive, receive, express, and share with society through deeper attachments, devotion and reciprocating communication with the representative images. Following this noble path, the author has arranged her experiences and revelations into 33 chapters, all illustrated with beautiful and aesthetically possessed photographs that carry meanings, messages, milieus, and mystical visions of Bhagavan (Lord) Shiva's city Kashi. By reading this book, one may have an eternal pilgrimage on the path where human conscience meets with divine super-consciousness.
Banaras: where "always ready" (Bana) is the "juice of life" (ras)! This "Life-juice flows in plenitude in different colours, tones, multiple textures and layers, diverse situations, contrasting conditions, etc. The blending or "complex mixing" of these makes up the mosaic of culture known as Kashi, the City of Shiva. This book will help you to walk in the lanes with a distinct spirit, vision, and experiences. The author correctly said, "Kashi: A Divine Experience is not just a collection of stories but a deeply experienced tribute to the enduring allure of this eternal city."
Kashi is more than a city, it is a living, breathing embodiment of spirituality - a realm where time appears to stand still and mortal seamlessly merges with the divine. It is a sacred place where life and death coexist harmoniously, and every street and comer echoes pious, sacred, and divine experiences.
Known as Varanasi, Kashi is the spiritual epicentre that has captivated saints, scholars, and seekers for millennia Revered as the divine abode of The Supreme Bhagavan Shiva, the cosmic destroyer and the ultimate giver of liberation, this city transcends time. It resonates with the timeless rhythm of devotion, purity, and liberation a home for the soul.
This sacred city offers the dissolution of karmic bonds something not readily found in the heavenly realms Every corner of Kashi bears Bhagavan Shiva's infinite grace its ghats (stairways) whisper stories of liberation, its temples stand as enduring monuments of devotion, and its air vibrates with the echoes of ancient chants. Among these sacred sites, Manikarnika Ghat reigns as the holiest, embodying the essence of moksha. Scriptures proclaim that a single dip in the waters here merits visiting all pilgrimages combined. The sacred Ganga river purifies the soul, erases karmic debts, and leads to eternal peace.
The Ganga is not just a river in Kashi, it is a divine energy, blessed by Bhagavan Shiva himself The Skanda Purana declares, "If Vaikuntha were to be weighed against Kashi, the scales would tilt in favour of Kashi. Such is the magnitude of its spiritual significance. Here, even the simplest acts-offering prayers, taking a holy dip, or donating with pure intent-resonate with profound meaning and spiritual depth.
Kashi has been a sanctuary for sages, seekers, and the spiritually inclined for ages. Those who pass away in Kashi are said to be freed from the cycle of life and death and are a refuge of knowledge, faith, and liberation. Bhagavan Shiva is believed to whisper the sacred Taraka Mantra into their ears, ensuring their ultimate salvation.
Whether you are a seasoned traveller or someone exploring from afar, I invite you to step into the ghats of Kashi, witness its sacred rituals, and immerse yourself in the divine energy that permeates this timeless place.
As an editor, I have had the privilege of immersing myself in the stories, photographs, and voices of those who have experienced Kashi's magic first-hand.
Within these pages, you will meet sadhus who have renounced worldly pleasures in pursuit of truth and artisans who breathe life into their creations, inspired by the timeless heritage of Kashi.
Kashi. A call of the soul is not just a collection of stories but a deeply experienced tribute to the enduring allure of this eternal city.
Let us embark on this journey together and co-share Kashi, where the spiritual and the mundane converge together, and every moment is an opportunity for transformation. That's why the name is Banaras.
Vedas (1182)
Upanishads (493)
Puranas (624)
Ramayana (741)
Mahabharata (354)
Dharmasastras (165)
Goddess (496)
Bhakti (242)
Saints (1503)
Gods (1290)
Shiva (370)
Journal (187)
Fiction (60)
Vedanta (362)
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