गङ्गा तरङ्ग रमणीय जटा कलापं गौरी निरन्तर विभूषित वाम भागम् । 

नारायण प्रियमनङ्ग मदापहारं वाराणसी पुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥१॥

gangā taranga ramanīya jațā kalāpam gaurī nirantara vibhūşita vāma bhāgam.
nārāyaņa priyamanańga madāpahāram vārāņasī purapatim bhaja viśvanātham…

Sing and praise that lord of the Universe, Who is the Lord of the town of Benares, Who has the tufted hair made by waves of river Ganga, Who for ever has Gowri as ornament on his left side, Who is the friend of Lord Narayana, And who destroyed the pride of the god of love.

Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is one of the most ancient living cities in the world. It is considered the holiest city in Hinduism and is a major pilgrimage center for Hindus and Jains. The city is situated on the banks of the Ganges River in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is believed to be the eternal city of Lord Shiva, also known as Mahakal.

Varanasi, also known as Kashi in Hindu mythology, is considered one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, believed to have been founded by Lord Shiva. The city is home to the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of Lord Shiva’s 12 Jyotirlingas, attracting over a million pilgrims annually.

According to Hindu tradition, the sacred Ganges River in Varanasi is believed to purify one’s sins. Death in Kashi is considered auspicious, and it is believed that attaining death here liberates the soul from the cycle of rebirth, leading to Moksha. The city also hosts the Vishalakshi Temple, situated near Manikarnika Ghat, where the ear ornament of Goddess Sati fell.

For followers of Shakti in Hinduism, the Ganga River is considered an embodiment of divine power. Adi Shankaracharya, a revered figure, wrote his commentary on Hinduism in Varanasi, leading to a revival of Hinduism.

Varanasi is not only significant in Hinduism but also holds importance in Buddhism, being one of the four pilgrimage sites related to Gautam Buddha. Sarnath, just outside the main city, is where Buddha delivered his first sermon, explaining the fundamental principles of Buddhism.

Additionally, Varanasi is a sacred place for Jains, as it is believed to be the birthplace of the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha. The city’s numerous ghats along the Ganges remain filled with devotees, making Varanasi a place of deep spiritual significance for people of various faiths.

Mentions of Varanasi in Hindu Texts and Puranas

Varanasi finds mention in numerous Hindu texts and Puranas, including:

• Rigveda: The Rigveda, one of the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, mentions Varanasi as Kashi. It is described as a city of great sanctity and learning.
• Skanda Purana: The Skanda Purana mentions Varanasi as the “city of lights” and the “capital of Shiva.” It describes the city as being located on the trident of Shiva.
• Kashi Khanda: The Kashi Khanda, a part of the Skanda Purana, is dedicated entirely to Varanasi. It describes the city’s history, mythology, and religious significance.
• Ramayana: The Ramayana, the epic poem of Hinduism, mentions Varanasi as the place where Rama and Sita spent some time during their exile.
• Mahabharata: The Mahabharata, another epic poem of Hinduism, mentions Varanasi as the place where the Pandavas performed their penance after the Kurukshetra war.

Why is Varanasi Known as the Nagari of Mahakal?

The ancient city of Varanasi, also known as Kashi, has many stories woven into the heart of Hindu mythology. This city, considered incredibly holy, is said to be founded by none other than Lord Shiva himself.

In the divine realms, there was a clash between Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva. This led to Shiva cutting off one of Brahma’s five heads. However, this action burdened Shiva with Brahmhatya, a profound sin. To atone for this, a divine manifestation in the form of a little girl named Brahmahatya appeared and started walking alongside Lord Shiva.

Carrying the severed head of Lord Brahma, Shiva embarked on a journey of penance and redemption. As he traveled through the celestial realms, he reached Vaikuntha, the divine abode of Lord Vishnu. There, Lord Vishnu, in his wisdom, guided Shiva to undertake a sacred journey to Kashi, the city of Varanasi, known for its purifying atmosphere.

Upon arriving in Varanasi,the head of Brahma fell from Shiva’s hand and disappeared into the sacred ground. Varanasi, enriched by this celestial event, became an exceptionally holy site, embodying the essence of divine redemption and purity.

According to another legend, Maharaja Sudev’s son, King Divodasa, established the city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges. Once, Lord Shiva observed that Goddess Parvati felt hesitant to stay in her maternal home (Himalayan region), so he contemplated residing in another sacred place. He found Varanasi to be exceptionally dear to him, and upon arriving, not only did Lord Shiva choose to stay, but other deities also joined him in Varanasi.

King Divodasa, distressed by losing control of his capital Kashi, undertook severe penance and sought a boon from Lord Brahma. He requested that the deities reside in the heavenly realm while continuing to stay in the earthly realm for the benefit of humanity. Brahma granted his wish, resulting in Lord Shiva and the divine beings reluctantly leaving Varanasi.

Although Lord Shiva went to the Mandara mountain, his attachment to Varanasi did not diminish. Intent on re-establishing Lord Shiva and the deities in Varanasi, sixty-four Yoginis, Suryadev, Brahma, and Narayana made significant efforts. With Ganesha’s assistance, the mission was successful. Despite receiving teachings, King Divodasa became detached. He personally installed a Shiva Lingam for worship and later departed for the divine realm on a celestial chariot.

The magnificence of Varanasi is such that the Skanda Mahapurana dedicates a detailed section called Kashi Khanda to describe its twelve renowned names: Kashi, Varanasi, Avimukta Kshetra, Anandakanana, Mahashmashana, Rudravasa, Kashika, Taptasthan, Muktiphumi, Shivapuri, Tripurari Rajanagari, and Vishwanathnagari.

The Pandavas, of Hindu epic Mahabharata, are said to have visited the city in search of Shiva to atone for their sins of fratricide and brahmahatya that they had committed during the Kurukshetra War. It is regarded as one of seven holy cities (Sapta Puri) which can provide Moksha; Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti, and Dvārakā are the seven cities known as the givers of liberation.

The Cakkavatti Sīhanāda Sutta text of Buddhism puts forth an idea stating that Varanasi will one day become the fabled kingdom of Ketumati in the time of Maitreya.

Varanasi is also known as the Nagari of Mahakal (the city of Mahakal) for several reasons:

• Presence of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple: The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. It is believed that a Jyotirlinga, a representation of Lord Shiva’s light, is enshrined in the temple.
• Association with Death and Rebirth: Varanasi is believed to be one of the four places where liberation from the cycle of birth and death can be achieved. Many Hindus come to Varanasi to die, believing that they will attain moksha (liberation) if they die here.
• Ganges River: The Ganges River is considered sacred in Hinduism. It is believed that bathing in the Ganges washes away sins. The presence of the Ganges River adds to the sanctity of Varanasi and its association with Lord Shiva.

Conclusion

Varanasi is a city steeped in history, religion, and mythology. It is a place where people come to seek spiritual enlightenment, to die, and to be reborn. The city’s association with Lord Shiva and its mention in numerous Hindu texts and Puranas make it one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the world.