Mystique of Mandirs in Varanasi: A Spiritual Journey

 Nestled on the banks of the sacred river Ganges, Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a revered spiritual hub in India. Varanasi is a city of contrasts, where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern life, and bustling streets lead to tranquil Ghats where pilgrims and seekers gather to pay homage to the divine.

At the heart of Varanasi's spiritual image are its many temples, each a sanctuary of devotion and a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage. From grand buildings adorned with intricate carvings to humble temples nestled in narrow alleys, the temples of Varanasi offer a glimpse of the vibrant tapestry of Hindu spirituality.

The Magnificent Kashi Vishwanath Temple:

No visit to Varanasi is complete without a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to the city's presiding deity Lord Shiva. Located in the heart of the bustling old city, this iconic temple is considered to be one of the most sacred sites for Hindus and a focal point of spiritual energy.

Stepping into the sacred premises of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is an unusual experience. The massive spire of the temple, adorned with intricate sculptures and golden embellishments, rises majestically against the blue sky, and casts a divine aura over the bustling streets below.

Inside the temple, devotees gather in the sanctum sanctorum, offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The air is filled with the aroma of incense, and the sound of mantras echoes in the hall, creating an atmosphere of exquisite devotion.

Exploring the Sacred Ghats:

As the sun sets over the river Ganges, the ghats of Varanasi come alive with the flickering glow of oil lamps and the rhythmic chants of evening aarti ceremonies. Amidst this celestial symphony, several mandirs dot the riverbank, offering pilgrims a chance to deepen their spiritual experience.

One such revered mandir is the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey god. Situated near the Assi Ghat, this temple is believed to be a place of solace and refuge, where devotees come to seek protection from life's trials and tribulations.

Further upstream, the Dashashwamedh Ghat is home to the iconic Vishalakshi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Vishalakshi, the consort of Lord Shiva. This sacred shrine exudes an aura of tranquillity, with its serene courtyards and ancient prayer halls providing a serene refuge from the hustle and bustle of the ghats.

Embracing Spiritual Diversity:

Varanasi is not just a bastion of Hindu spirituality but also a melting pot of diverse religious traditions. Alongside its Hindu mandirs, the city is dotted with mosques, churches, and Buddhist stupas, each adding a unique flavour to its cultural tapestry.

One such example is the Gyanvapi Mosque, situated adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Despite the religious divide, the mosque and the temple coexist in harmony, symbolising the city's ethos of inclusivity and tolerance.

Conclusion:

Mandir in Varanasi are more than just architectural marvels; they are repositories of faith, repositories of centuries-old traditions, and symbols of spiritual aspiration. In the labyrinthine lanes of the city, amidst the chaos and clamor, these sacred shrines stand as beacons of hope and enlightenment, guiding pilgrims on their quest for divine grace.

As I bid farewell to Varanasi, I carry with me the echoes of chants, the fragrance of incense, and the blessings of the divine. In the timeless embrace of the city's mandirs, I found solace, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the eternal spirit that animates us all. Varanasi, with its mandirs, remains a testament to the enduring power of faith and the eternal quest for transcendence.

Discovering the Spiritual Essence: Temples in Varanasi and Must-Visit Tourist Places

 Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is a kaleidoscope of spirituality, culture, and history. Known as the spiritual heart of India, this city, situated on the banks of the sacred river Ganges, attracts millions of pilgrims, seekers, and tourists each year. In this blog, we delve into the divine aura of Varanasi through its ancient temples and explore the other captivating tourist places that make it a unique destination.

Temples in Varanasi:

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple:

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple stands as the most revered shrine in Varanasi, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is renowned for its gold-plated spire and the sanctum sanctorum that houses the holy Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that a visit to Kashi Vishwanath is a journey to spiritual awakening.

2. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple:

Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Sankat Mochan Temple is a haven of peace and tranquillity. It is believed that regular visits to this temple can relieve one from life's troubles and challenges. The temple complex is surrounded by lush greenery, providing a serene atmosphere for prayer and meditation.

3. Tulsi Manas Temple:

Situated near the famous Durga Temple, the Tulsi Manas Temple is a modern structure dedicated to Lord Rama. The walls of the temple are adorned with verses from the Ramcharitmanas, a holy text written by the sage Tulsidas. The serene ambiance and intricate carvings make it a must-visit for both devotees and art enthusiasts.

4. Durga Temple:

Also known as the Monkey Temple due to the large number of monkeys in the vicinity, the Durga Temple is dedicated to the fierce goddess Durga. The vibrant red colour of the temple and the intricately carved architecture attract visitors from far and wide.

Tourist Places in Varanasi:

1. Ganges Ghats:

Varanasi is synonymous with its numerous ghats lining the Ganges River. Each ghat has its own significance, offering a unique experience. The Dashashwamedh Ghat, known for its Ganga Aarti, and the serene Assi Ghat are among the most popular.

2. Banaras Hindu University (BHU):

A blend of education and culture, BHU is one of the oldest and largest residential universities in Asia. The Bharat Kala Bhavan within the university campus houses a remarkable collection of artefacts, including paintings, sculptures, and textiles.

3. Ramnagar Fort:

Across the Ganges, the Ramnagar Fort stands as a testament to the grandeur of the bygone era. The fort, built in the 18th century, houses a museum with vintage cars, royal artefacts, and an impressive armoury collection.

4. Sarnath:

A short drive from Varanasi, Sarnath is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. The Dhamek Stupa and the Ashoka Pillar are major attractions, offering a glimpse into the rich Buddhist heritage.

5. Bharat Mata Temple:

Dedicated to Mother India, the Bharat Mata Temple is a unique shrine where the map of undivided India is worshiped. It symbolizes unity in diversity and is a testament to the city's cultural richness.

Experiencing Varanasi’s Spiritual Tapestry:

Exploring Varanasi is not just about visiting temples and Tourist Places in Varanasi; it's about immersing oneself in the spiritual tapestry that the city weaves. The narrow alleys, the bustling markets, and the sounds of temple bells create an atmosphere that resonates with the ancient soul of India.

Whether you seek spiritual enlightenment, cultural immersion, or a historical journey, Varanasi offers a profound and multifaceted experience. It's a city where the divine and the earthly coexist harmoniously, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who wander its sacred streets. Visit All temples in Varanasi and unravel the mystique that has drawn seekers and travellers for centuries.

Know the amazing things related to Ganga Aarti of Varanasi

In Hinduism, Kashi is mentioned as one of the Sapta Puri and according to Skanda Purana, Kashi is the most important city in Sapta Puri. All Saptapuri cities worship the river in one form or the other on a daily basis, but the Ganga Aarti performed in Varanasi is one of the most spectacular performances in the entire world.

Today we all know Varanasi, the city of Shiva, as the spiritual capital of India. Along with this, Varanasi is known to the country and abroad for its Ganga Aarti. Every day thousands of local and foreign citizens come to the Dashashwamedh Ghat of Varanasi to see the Ganga Aarti. Aarti is done daily at sunset time.

Varanasi Ghat Ganga Aarti is popular all over the country.

According to Hindu mythology, Ganga is the most sacred river and it is believed that if any person takes a dip in the river Ganga once with true devotion, then all his sins are washed away and generally people visit Varanasi Ganga Snan and Kashi Vishwanath Darshan. You can see devotees taking a dip in the Ganges at almost all the ghats of Varanasi, but during this journey, all the devotees definitely go to see the Ganga Aarti because this Aarti gives new energy to the life of the devotee.

Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is held daily at Dashashwamedh Ghat, which is the most important ghat of Varanasi this ghat is located near Kashi Vishwanath Temple, every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat, at sunset, the priests of Varanasi perform the very beautiful and elaborate aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Devotees can easily watch the Aarti being performed at the Ghat from Assi Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat.

At the Dashashwamedh Ghat, one moment there is hustle and bustle to find the right place to watch the aarti, and the next the whole city falls silent when a conch (conch) is blown. The conch shell indicates that the aarti is starting and it attracts everyone's attention. Since the Ganga Aarti of Banaras is for the river Ganges, an idol of Goddess Ganga is placed in the center on one of the many elevated platforms. Aarti is performed with the sound of bells and chants and the lighting of incense sticks and lamps.

The priests worship the river Ganga during Ganga Aarti in such a way that it becomes a mesmerizing sight. Priests have been performing Ganga Aarti in front of thousands of people for years, practice and unwavering devotion make them perfect in their work. Though it sounds indecisively risky, it is practically impossible to perform aarti for 45 minutes with several huge lamps and to close your eyes even for a second during Ganga Aarti.

This is the reason why Varanasi Ghat Ganga Aarti is popular all over the country. When you come to Varanasi, it is such an experience that a person who is a follower of any religion, be it Jain, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Parsi, or Christian but Ganga Aarti is celebrated by people of every religion, every caste. She fascinates him and fills his body with such energy that he can never forget in his whole life.

Ganga Aarti Timing in Varanasi

Ganga Aarti takes place in the evening in Varanasi, the city of Shiva. The timing of Ganga Aarti is fixed for after sunset. In summer, it is around 7 PM, and during winter around 6 PM. By the way, Ganga Aarti is performed twice a day where the morning Aarti is performed at Assi Ghat and the popular evening Ganga Aarti is performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

The Ganga Aarti performed at Assi Ghat is very early in the morning, its time is before sunrise around 5 in the morning and due to more early morning at this time, the number of people who see the morning Ganga Aarti is usually compared to the evening Ganga Aarti. But it does not mean at all that the morning Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat is not beautiful, in fact, the morning Aarti at Assi Ghat is equally beautiful. Here, not only Ganga Maiya is worshipped, but you also enjoy some Vedic mantras, ragas, and yoga. The morning Ganga Aarti timings are from 5 am to 7 am in summer and 5:30 am to 7:30 am in winter.

The Morning Aarti is called Subah-e-Banaras.

The morning aarti is called Subah-e-Banaras and is considered the ideal way to start the morning in Varanasi. It was an initiative of the state government of Uttar Pradesh which started in 2014.

It begins with Vedic verses and is followed by Ganga Aarti. Homage is also paid during the aarti to the four basic elements that comprise everything in this universe: earth, water, sky, and fire.

The aarti performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening is the same as the aarti performed at Assi Ghat in the morning. After the Aarti, the classical musicians of Banaras Gharana with their classical music and ragas create a different energy flow in the whole of Varanasi along with all the people who came to see the Ganga Aarti. Everyone in the Banaras Gharana specializes in the craft of music or dance. The Banaras Gharana was founded 200 years ago by Pandit Ram Sahai. It is one of the six common styles of tabla playing. Pandit Ram Sahai himself was trained in the Lucknow Gharana.

Tips for Visiting Varanasi and Watching Ganga Aarti

Of all the spiritual places in Varanasi, you must visit Dashashwamedh Ghat for Ganga Aarti and Assi Ghat for Subah-e-Banaras (Ganga Aarti).

Both these aartis are free, however, you will be asked to make an offering for the evening aarti. However, this is not mandatory. You can also offer whatever amount you can afford.

Reach the ghat at least one hour before for evening aarti, as there is a huge crowd to watch the evening aarti and if you reach late it will be difficult to get a good seat, so it is better to watch the evening aarti. You must arrive at least an hour in advance to find the best spot for yourself.

There is no rush for morning aarti. But it is recommended that you experience Subah-e-Banaras to the fullest. In such a situation, it is better to go to bed early so that you can wake up fresh and join the Suba-e-Banaras the very next day.

 

Ganga Aarti Timing in Varanasi

Varanasi is considered to be one of the oldest places in the world. The places happen to be one of the seven holiest places in the country. Hence, Varanasi is a part of the Sapta Puri. The other cities of Sapta Puri include Mathura, Ayodhya, Kanchipuram, Haridwar, Dwarka, and Ujjain. As per Hindu mythology, Varanasi is regarded as the favorite place of Lord Shiva since the place is said to have been established by him. Shiva had cut off one of the heads of Brahma and carried it with him as a sign of his victory. When he reached Varanasi (as it is called now), Brahma’s head fell on the ground from Shiva’s hand and simply disappeared. Since then, Varanasi is regarded as one of the holiest places for the Hindus. Located along the banks of the holy river Ganga, Varanasi is known as the spiritual capital of India.

The Ganga at Varanasi
Varanasi is known as the land of temples and Ghats. The Ganga is considered to be the holiest river according to the Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, a dip in the Ganga River can cleanse all the sins one has ever done in a lifetime. Devotees come to Varanasi from all over the world to do a “Ganga Snaan.” The Ganga ghats of Varanasi are also known for the Ganga Aarti which is performed by the priests of Varanasi every evening. Some of the most famous Ghats that people visit in Varanasi to witness the Ganga Aarti are the Dashashwamedh Ghat, which is located just beside the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Rajendra Prasad Ghat, and Assi ghat. Although, the most famous ghat known for the Ganga Aarti remains the Dashashwamedh Ghat. Coming to Varanasi and not watching the Ganga Aarti is one of the biggest mistakes anyone can ever make. You need to check the Ganga Aarti timing inVaranasi before the visit.

The famous Ganga Aarti at Varanasi
The Ganga Aarti is one of the most serene things that you will get to see here in Varanasi. One moment there is hustle-bustle, but as soon as the conch is blown all the hustle-bustle immediately stops and there is absolute silence and peace. The blowing of the conch is a reminder to grab the attention of the people and tell them that the Ganga Aarti is about to begin. You will also see a statue of the goddess Ganga among the many raised platforms. The sound of the conch, along with the sound of the bells, accompanied by the smell of the incense sticks will give you goosebumps. Ganga Aarti timing in Varanasi is the busiest time in the city, on the Ghats.

However, as a tourist, you might get confused about the exact Ganga Aarti timing in Varanasi. The Ganga Aarti at Varanasi used to mainly happen in the evenings. The scheduled time for the Aarti was always after sunset. For summers, the Ganga Aarti in the evening would start at 7 PM, and for the Winters, it started at 6 PM.

The morning Aarti starts before dawn. The timing in the summer is from 5 AM to 7 AM, and during the winter it is from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM. While the evening Aarti focuses on the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the morning Aarti has its focus on the Assi Ghat.

Conclusion
Both the Ganga Aarti has a charm of their own. Beginning the day with the Ganga Aarti at the Assi ghat is one of the serene things to do. While ending your day with the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh ghat will give you goosebumps. Both the Ganga Aarti’s have a charm of their own. However, checking Ganga Aarti timing in Varanasi for the evening Aarti is a must to get a good viewing place since the ghat remains excessively crowded during this time.