KASI VISWANATHAR TEMPLE
God name – Viswanathar,
Goddess name-Annapurani.
The temple can be approached from a
lane called Vishwanatha lane.The temple is surrounded by many subsidiary
shrines. A well called Jnana Vapi is also located to the north of the main
temple. As one
enters the temple from the southern side the first temple to the left of the
pilgrim are three temples in a row one behind the other – Vishnu, Virupakshi
Gauri and Avimukta Vinayaka. A cluster of five lingas enclosed in a temple is
called Nilakantheshvar temple. Just above the Avimukteshvara Vinayaka are temples
of Shanishvara and Virupaksha.To the right just near the entrance is the temple
enshrining a linga called Avimukteshvara.There is a controversy regarding the
original Jyotirlinga at the place, which suggests that not the Vishwanatha but
the Avimukteshvara is the original jyotirlinga. It is also one of
the Padal Petra isthalam of Vada naadu mentioned in Thevaaram.The temple is
situated in varanashi the holiest existing place of Hindus, It is believed that a visit to Kasi ensures
liberation & hence pious Hindus seek a visit during their lifetime.It is
customs followed pour
the remains of cremated ancestors ash on the River Ganges to liberate the Atma
from their wordly bondage. Manikarnica ghat is the place where countless
Hindus have been cremated. The kasi is famous for Devotas worship, Ancistor (Pindadaan)
worship and Poodha worship.
Varanashi got its name
from two rivers, Varana and Asi flow
here. The temple stands on the western bank
of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is the
holiest of all Shiva temples.The main deity is known by the name vishwanath or Vishweshwara
meaning Ruler of the universe. The temple town, which claims to be the oldest
living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history, is also called
Kashi and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi vishwanath temple.
The lingam is placed in a square shaped brass
plated pit. Devotees are permitted to offer worship such as abhishekam with
holy Ganga water, garlanding the Lord, aarathi, etc. personally to the swaymbhu
lingam. Kasi has got 11 nos. Swambu (naturally formed) lingas, Devotas
installed 46 nos. lingas, Rishis installed 47 Nos. lingas, Gragahas installed 7
Nos. lingas, Kanangal worshiped 40 Nos. lingas, others devotees installed 295
lingas, the replica of other famous temple lingas 65 Nos. there fore all
together 511 Nos. lingas you can see now also.
The kasi is famous
for Devotas worship, Ancistor worship and Poodha worship. Kasi is amongst the
holy spots for visit by the Hindus. It is believed that a visit to Kasi ensures
liberation & hence pious Hindus seek a visit during their lifetime. This is
the location of the Benares Hindu University, the place of learning of several
aspects of Hindu culture. Here
Parvathi Devi was so pleased that she offered
food (Annam) to one and all and hence is worshipped as Annapoorani. The Lord
himself is seen with a bowl in his hands asking for Annam from the seated Devi
at the Devi's shrine adajacent to Viswanathar's shrine. This is considered to
be one of the 52 Sakthipeedams (the place where Parvathi's left hand fell, when
her corpse was cut by Mahavishnu's sudarsana chakram). After taking holy dip in Ganga the
devotees take Ganga water and make Abishekam to lingam.By doing so it is
believed the seven birth sins were purified. TEMPLE
BUILT
Kasi
means light emission place.It has got 1800 temples comprises different
discipline followed in Hindu. Kasi had very old historical things in it as per
evidence the ARIYA’S who lived in this place 1400 BC.From Mahabharat also lot
of references reveals about Kasi rulers.The ancient temple existance had been
revealed in Mahabharat , The old temple had been detroyed several times by
invaders, the recents temple was built in 1785 CE by Agalyabai queen. First attack: In 1193 the Afganisthan leader Gori
Mohamed defeated the King Jayachandira and captured Kasi town.He destroyed
many temple over here and built mosque on top of that, in 1194 he destroyed
entire viswanathar temple Latter on the destroyed temples were built up whenever
possible by Hindus. Second attack: In 13th century
the Allaudin kilji attacked this
town and destroyed many temple here.
Third attacK: In 1447 due to other
foreign people attack it was destroyed, again the temple was built ip. Fourth attack: In 1494 due to other
foreign people attack it was destroyed, again the temple was builtup.Latter on
confidentially this temple has been kept and poojas were carried out regularly
for 300 years.During king Akbar period, the pandit RAJA PATAR got permission from akbar and built the new temple with
the help of RAJA THODARMAL and
completed this temple in 1585 CE. FIFTH ATTACK: In 1669 April month the mogal king Aurangasip
destroyed this temple roofs, by utilizing the old temple pillars on top that
the mosques has been built, this you can witness during your visit near to the
present temple.
SACRED LINGA IN SECRET PLACE FOR 116 YEARS: From 1669 CE to 1785 CE the linga had been kept
in Nanavabi well, when Ahgalyabai
built new temple in 1785 the lingam has been taken out from here and installed
in present temple by great her effort
handsoff to her.. She also made arrangement for Lord Ramnathar to get
Ganga water and Lord Viswanath to get Rameshwarm kodi thirtham water for
Abishegam purpose. Here the Garpagirh kept in one corner, due to special
instruction received by people by ASRI
voice during temple construction time.As
per sastra (astrology ) norms we should not make NAMSKAR
to God here in Garbagirah, instead of that you have to make namaskar in
Kukada mandapam. In 1839 the king of Punjab ranjit singh offerd 30 Kg gold for
Gopuram roof to cover with gold sheet.In
1842 in the temple entrance, the NAUPATH KANA was built by NAVAB ALI ALMULK the ruler of kasi as
per the instruction from British East Indian company first president WARAN HASTINGS. TEMPLE HISTORY
In
kasi the vishnu had created one holy well and continued his tabus there towards
lord siva.Lord siva carry the Parvathi on HIS shoulder and made Kora thandavam,
during this course the parvathi’s ear ring fallen on earth.The Lord siva
coveyed this message to the Lord Vishnu and asked him where about her ear
ring.The Vishnu shows this holy well may be in this available.While Lord siva
bowed and look at the well his ear ring (kundalam) also fallen into that.Upon
lord siva departure from there with powerful illumination lingam has came out
from the well. It is believed that both of them ear ring would have converted
as lingam. Hence this lingam has been considered as Arthanarishwarar (Combination
shape of parvathi and ishwar). The Lord
vishnu took this illuminating lingam from there and installed in sacred place
and made regular pooja to this and continued his Tabus there.Lord Siva inspired
by Lord Vishnu’s tabus towrds HIM.HE shown his VISWARUPAM to HIM(vishnu) and ask HIS desire.The Lord vishnu requested HIM to settle in this jotirlingam and bless
all of these world being from here,
whoever come to this place with strong devotion, their sin to be melted
down and to be purified person by taking bath in this holy Ganga.The
Lord Siva considered HIS request and continuing HIS bless to all of us from
here.
PUNNIYA THERTHAMS
The temple adjacent located Nanavabi called in many names as Siva thirtham, Nana thirtham,
tharaga thirtham and Motcha thirtham.It is believed lord siva in water form in
this thirtham.The ganga river has got 64 Ghats in its bank here, out of that
the Five Ghats are famous for taking holy bath and MAKING pooja for ancestor
called as PITHRUKARIYAM they are Asi Ganga ghat, Thasatchva medam ghat, Varana
Ganga ghat, Manikarnika ghat. Don’t
miss to have bath in sacret ganga in your lifetime.Kasi is famous for Ganga
holy bath it has got various ISNANA places to take a holy bath, for going to that places boats (thoni) are
available. During your visit take a holy bath in below mentioned ISNANA stages
in order wise.
1.
Asi stage 2. Tulusidas stage 3. Anuman stage (where you can find tamil pandit
more).4. Harichandra stage 5.Kedara stage 6. Annapurna stage 7.Dasaaswamedha
stage 8. Manikarnika stage 9.Panchaganga stage 10. Varuna
Apart from above the other stages are
Janaki, Sivaala, Prayana, Thiruluchana, Meera and Pragalatha stages are
available with nicely made steps along the river banks to take a holy
bath.
Munshi Ghat
|
Shamesnwar Ghat
|
OTHER PLACES TO SEE In kasi other famous temples are Madhavarahi, Annapurani in this temple Deepavali featival carried out grandly wih charot made up of loddu, after end of the season almost at midnight ,the luddu’s from the charot is distributed to devotees. Sakshi ganaesha, Dundi ganesha, visalatchi temple, Manasa mandir, Khushmanda durga mandir,Kamakoteshwar temple, Kanchi kamakodi mut, kedariswarar temple renovated by Kumara kurupa swamigal here the boarding/lodging are provided for south indians, Sirungeri mut,Varahi amman temple, apart from that kasi has got 12 types of TUVAADHASA JOTHIRLINGAMS in different location they are
Kedariswarar-Omkariswarar-Vathiya natheswarar
Krishnaiswarar-Nageshwarar-Mahakalashwarar
Bageshwarar-Thirayambageshwarar-Shylashwarar
Kakarneshwarar-Ramaeshwarar-Visveshwarar.
There is a famous saint saying :
Having birth in Thiruvarur ledas to Mukthi.
Living in Kanchi leads to Mukthi.
Remembering Thiruvannamali Arunachalasewarar leads to Mukthi.
Fasting in Narmada river banks leads to Mukthi.
Death takes place in Kasi leads to Mukthi. Most of the Hindus prefered to die in Kasi to have a Mukthi.
CLASSICAL GANGA AARTHI PERFORMED BY TEAM daily at evening before sunset pl watch this during your visit.
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