Varanasi is one of the most ancient great cities of India. It is known
by several names as- Varanasi, Banaras, Kashi, Anandkanan, etc. It
has a very hoary antiquity and the earliest period remains obscure.
Archaeologically, the remains date back to about the first
millennium B.C. It is regarded as one of the 7 holy cities which
impart salvation to the devotees.
Although, the city is held in high esteem by the three early
major religions of India i.e., Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma (in which
five major sects are there), Buddhism and Jainism, yet it has a very
strong hold of Shaiva (one of the sects of sanatan dharma) devotees
since one of the twelve Jyotirlingas i.e., Visheshwara or Vishwanath
is installed here.
The city is situated on the western bank of the most sacred
river of north India i.e., Ganga and the vital point is that here the
holy river takes the turn i.e., its stream starts flowing from south to
north. Hence it is again a matter of greatest reverence among the
devotees.
Traditionally, Kashi is supported on the Trisulas (Trident) of
Shiva. Etymologically, Kashi means a place which shines and it
does shine through its glory of learning, mythological significance
and continuous flow of the stream of Indian culture from the times
immemorial to the present day.
The city is also known as Varanasi being situated between
rivulets Asi and Varuna and this part is held in high respect by the
Hindu devotees. So many stories and legends are associated with the
city and it has attracted a large number of saints from distant
quarters of the Country through the ages. Kings and noblemen,
traders and merchants, Acharyas and their followers founded a
number of institutions and constructed buildings for charity &
philanthropy and to earn religious merit. This place represents
almost all the important pilgrim centers of India.
The city is also renowned as birth place of Jain Tirthankara,
particularly Parshvanath, Sreyanshnath, Chandraprabhu and
Suparshvanath. The rich Jain community constructed a good number
of religious places as token of their reverence to the faith.
Not far from Varanasi is one of the most important pilgrim
centres of Buddhists known as Sarnath. It is also called in early
literature as “Rishipattanam Mrigdav” since a good number of seers
and sages performed their penances in the company of deers and the
entire region was once a thick forest. It was here that Buddha gave
his first sermon to the 5 devotees after his enlightenment at
Bodhgaya. The building activity commenced at least from the time
of Asoka, the great Mauryan Emperor, continues to date and the
forest is now transformed into a big township with lofty, buildings.
The followers of Buddhism from different countries have put up
their monasteries and religious establishments. Archaeologically the
place imparts a majestic view as the earlier habitation area is seen
exposed. Among the existing names, Dhamek and Chowkhandi
stupas are well known.
Besides Museum, administered by the Archaeological Survey
of India, remains centre of attraction. The foremost institute of
higher Boddhist Studies, Tibettan Institute is also an additional
attraction at Sarnath. One can have a glimpse of development of
sculptural art of India from the 3rd cent. B.C. to about 12th cent. A.D.
The Asokan column with 4 roaring lions and beautiful abacus is an
outstanding specimen of art. Same is the case of the Buddha image
posture belonging to Gupta period i.e., 5th , century A.D. Besides its
charming physique the statue is known for wonderful expression
combining divine bliss and tranquility. Richly decorated halo add
further grandeur to the deity. Sarnath has been an important school
of sculptural art and it was in its Zenith in the Gupta period between
the 4th and the 5th century A.D.
Varanasi is one of the earliest existing cities of the world and its
antiquarian significance has amply been corroborated by archaeological
remains, religious and cultural traditions continuing from the hoary past
and intense faith of people thronging from distant quarters of land.
Despite several upheavals, the city imparts glimpses of cultural
continuity from the prehistoric and Vedic times to the present day. This
is the real force of ‘Kashi Sanskriti’. As the visitor moves on the ghats
and lanes of Varanasi, he not only witnesses the holy stream of Uttar
Vahini Ganga but also the cultural current flowing uninterruptedly with
the passage of time.
The glory and sagacity of Varanasi or Kashi has been experienced
by seers, sages, travelers, writers and devotees. The Sanskrit works call
it pleasing, chanting, beautiful and capable of removing sins and
ignorance. The Ramacharitmanas remembers it as journey dock of
salvation and treasury of oriental knowledge. James Princep, an
illustrious British scholar and scientist visionary and orientalist, saw it a
moving sea of heads studded with temples with sound of cymbals and
drums. Mirza Galib (Urdu poet) spelled that the glory of Benaras was so
high that it was not possible to measure or conceive it.
Varanasi-Place of Realization
Generally, it is seen, a human habitant used to convert into a city after a
long peaceful co-existence and mutual acceptance of cultural habits which
evolve traditions. Varanasi, known to be older than traditions has cultivated
traditions, nourished traditions and inspired traditions to voyage beyond
boundary of this country. In fact Varanasi is a city where metaphysics is
taught in the atmosphere of physics. From the age of Vedic era to the pages
of modern history this city had been the one institution in itself to teach
wisdom and culture to the people who came with quest irrespective of class,
Varanasi or Kashi is often referred to as microcosm and city divine
light. It is the permanent abode of Lord Shiva or Vishvanath (Lord of
universe) the auspicious God of benediction and welfare of the mankind. It is
a devotional place of great pilgrimage for the Vaidics, Buddhists and Jainas
as well, which makes it an outstanding tourist place.
The western scholars like M.A. Sherring, James Princep, Annie Besant
and recently Diana L. Eck have experienced the spiritual fragrance of Kashi
and paid there oblation to this great city of antiquity and assimilative cultural
continuity through their pen might.
A Treasure Place of Intangible Heritage
In span of time man has developed symbolic structure to make his
feelings and values in an organized form that is how monuments are accepted
as historical heritage & lineage. Varanasi, the epitome of human
consciousness, is a place where people are living to attain salvation. When
the entire world is afraid of pains of death, here in Varanasi the life style of
common man seems to combat death in a usual manner. That’s why the city
is not careless but carefree
Modern science and way of life, ancient wisdom and its message can
work together to help in searching harmonious and peaceful path of
mankind’s integrity with nature. Our heritage site tells the history
possibilities and future prospect of our existence and continuity. Heritage is
mirror of mankind’s growth progress and prospect that must be preserved.
The present day Varanasi is cosmopolitan city revealing the spirit of
religious cultural tolerance and assimilation. The mixed population of
Hindus, Muslims, Persians, Budhist, Jains and even people from western
hemisphere, is the landmark of Varanasi. The Indian population with
different religious faith and cultural segments live here in Kashi. in perfect
harmony as a cultural unit to represent unity in diversity of India in true
pluralistic spirit.
