Kashi Darshan

Shiva has three forms one as Adinath who meditates in the Serene isolation atop Mount Kailash; and the other is Vishwanath who mediates in the affairs of man in the market place called Kashi. Then there is the ultimate Sada Shiva who is beyond these he is consciousness.

On 16th September we began our Kashi Darshan from Chalakudy. Earlier days the chances of our ancestors returning after their visit to Kashi was remote. Even then it was considered auspicious to take up this journey.

We reached Gorakhpur the biggest railway station in India on the banks of Rapti River on the 18th September.

Naimisaranyam and Chakratheertham is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from the ruling kings. There are three different stories associated to it. We saw a very old Banyan tree and the Sarayu river. It has mention in the Yudhakanda of Ramayan, the banks of the River Sarayu is also the place where King Dashratha accidentally killed Shravan Kumar.

Located on the banks of the Sarayu river, Ayodhya is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus which was our next destination. The town is closely associated with Lord Rama, who is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the epic Ramayana, the ancient city of Ayodhya was the capital of the Surya dynasty in which Lord Rama was born. We visited the Ram Janma Bhoomi, the place Bhabri Masjid was destroyed and necessary arrangements are made for the construction of new temple, awaiting permission. After a view of the Holy Land Ayodhya we passed through Prayag and was fortunate to take a dip at Thriveni Sangamam.
Prayag is referred to as Triveni Sangamam - where it is believed that the subterranian river Saraswati also meets the Ganga along with the Yamuna. This is where Kumbhalgarh Mela happen every 12 years. The famous Ashoka pillar is near here. This place is also called Allahabad or Illahabad or Prayagraj.

We could visit Chitrakoot as well. Chitrakoot means the 'Hill of many wonders'. Chitrakoot falls in the northern Vindhya range of mountains spread over the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The ghats that line the Mandakini river are called Ramghat. During the exile period Rama, Lakshmana and Sita took bath here and are believed to have appeared before the poet Tulsidas.Bharat Milap temple is located here, marking the spot where Bharata is said to have met Rama to persuade him to return to the throne of Ayodhya. It is said that the meeting of four brothers was so emotional that even the rocks and mountains of Chitrakut melted. Foot prints of Lord Rama and his brothers were imprinted on these rocks and are still present today and seen in Bharat Milap Mandir. Bharat milap mandir is situated beside kamadgiri mountain, in the circumambulation path of kamadgiri.Janaki Kund is situated upstream of the Ramghat where it is believed that Sita bathed in the crystal clear waters of Mandakini river during the years of her exile with Rama.There aare many places of historical prominence here.Janaki Kund is situated upstream of the Ramghat where it is believed that Sita bathed in the crystal clear waters of Mandakini river during the years of her exile with Rama. There is Hanuman Dhara,
Sphatik Shila is a place with two massive rocks which are believed to have the footprints of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Sphatik Shila literally means crystal rock and is located amidst dense forests, close to Janki Kund on the banks of river Mandakini.

Then we reached Sarnath. Sarnath is a place located 10 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Dhamek Stupa (also spelled Dhamekh and Dhamekha, traced to Sanskrit version Dharmarajika Stupa, which can be translated as the Stupa of the reign of Dharma) is a massive stupa located at Sarnath.The Dhamek Stupa is said to mark the spot (Rishipattana which can be translated as "where the Rishi arrived") where the Buddha gave the first sermon to his first five brahmin disciples after attaining enlightenment.In its current shape, the stupa is a solid cylinder of bricks and stone reaching a height of 43.6 meters and having a diameter of 28 meters.

Finally we reached Varanasi or Banaras or Kashi regarded as the spiritual capital of India. Traditional etymology links "Varanasi" to the names of two Ganges tributaries forming the city's borders: Varuna, still flowing in northern Varanasi, and Assi, today a small stream in the southern part of the city, near Assi Ghat. The old city is located on the north shores of the Ganges, bounded by Varuna and Assi. The city is referred to as Kāśī (Kashi) from the Sanskrit verbal root kaś- "to shine", making Varanasi known as "City of Light" They are Twin towns, – She has sister city know which? Kyoto, Japan.In the words of Mark Twain, "Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, And looks twice as old as all of them put together." Varanasi, the city that is more than just the spiritual capital of India. The city which can be aptly described as a melting pot where both life and death come together. The city that you only need to visit once for it to stay with you forever.Places here are: Kashi Vishwanath Temple importance also stems from the fact that it finds mentions in several holy scriptures of the Hindus. On the outside, the temple is adorned with intricate carvings that impart a divine quality to the facade. There is also a well present within the temple complex called Jnana Vapi or wisdom well. Other than that, the temple also houses several other small temples such as Kaalbhairav, Vishnu, Virupaksh Gauri, Vinayaka and Avimukteshwara. Generally travel from Assi to Dashaswamedh Ghat in the evening by boat, will help see the famous aarti conducted there every evening which is an experience like none other. Assi ghat is near Banaras Hindu University, and hence it is frequented by students.Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi as the name suggests, it is believed that this is the place where Lord Brahma performed the Dasa Ashwamedha sacrifice. This ghat is a religious spot and many rituals are performed here. There are so many temples in and around here, you will never have enough of them. Considered as a gateway to the next life, Manikarnika Ghat is a highly sacred riverfront in India. It is believed that spending the last few days of life at the Ghat and completing the rituals of cremation here ensure a painless passing and also a way to attain freedom from the endless cycle of birth and death. One special people we meet there are Agori's we see them specially in cremation grounds.

While returning could visit Gaya, it is the place where Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana, came to offer pind-daan for their father, Dasharath, and continues to be a major Hindu pilgrimage site for the pind-daan ritual.Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, 16 km (9.9 mi) from the modern city, and became the Buddha.

Recollecting the places Rama had been in this auspicious month. Thanks to almighty for helping this happen. Radhe Shyam.