Journey Through Time and Spirit: Unveiling the Legacy of Tulsi Manas Mandir in Varanasi

The Tulsi Manas Mandir is a prominent Hindu temple located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is unique in that it is not just a place of worship but also a cultural and spiritual landmark for Hindu pilgrims since the ancient Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas was originally written here by Goswami Tulsidas.

History

The original Ramayan was written in the Sanskrit language by poet Valmiki in 100 BC. Because of the Sanskrit language, the masses were not able to understand it. So in the 16th century, Goswami Tulsidas wrote the Ramayan in the Awadhi dialect of the Hindi language and this version was called Ramcharitmanas. The temple gets its name "Tulsi Manas mandir" from Tulsidas and "manas" meaning mind, signifying the temple of the mind or intellect.

And In 1964, Tulsi manas mandir was constructed by the Thakur Das Sureka family of Bandhaghat in the same place

Location

Manas mandir is situated in the Tulsi Ghat area of Varanasi, along the banks of the holy river Ganges and 1.3 kilometers away from Banaras Hindu University(BHU).

visitors can book a cab or rikshaw from anywhere in Varanasi for reaching to this temple.

Architect details

There is an attractive Tulsi Garden on the right side of the entrance gate of Tulsi Manas mandir, which offers a very tranquil and clean setting, and on the left side, you will see a magnificent pond covered with four Ghats. And also you will see the statue of Tulsidas in the Tulsi Garden depicts the line "Tulsi Das Chandan ragane, tilak det Raghuvir.

There are numerous statues on each bank of the temple, each representing a different subject from the Hindu Epics. Shri Ashutosh Shankar (Lord Shiva) featured at the eastern ghat, and at the western bank you will see a statue of  Goswami Tulsidas Ji. The temple is full of  statues of all the Gods and Goddesses mentioned in the Hindu epic. You will see a variety of Chaupayees, Dohas, Chhandas, and Sorathas scripted on the wall of the temple. And on the second floor, you will see some statues and scenes from Epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Events 

The temple sees increased activity during Hindu festivals and important occasions related to Lord Rama, such as Rama Navami.

Overall, the Tulsi Manas Mandir is not only a place of worship but also an important cultural and historical site in Varanasi. It showcases the enduring influence of the Ramayana and the teachings of Lord Rama in the hearts and minds of people.

Masan Holi: Why is Holi played with the ashes of pyre in Kashi?

Holi is played in different ways in every region of India. Along with religious importance, this festival is also of mutual brotherhood and harmony. Along with Holi with colors, Holi is also played with the ashes of pyre. At the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, Shiva devotees play Holi with the ashes of the pyre, which is called Masan Holi. It is believed that on this day Bholenath blesses his devotees from the great crematorium. They reach Manikarnika and play Holi with gulal as well as pyre ashes.

It is believed that on the day of Rangbhari Ekadashi, Lord Shiva takes Maa Gauri to his abode by making her Gouna. Shiva along with the gods and humans play Holi on that day. But the ghosts, who are considered dear to Shiva, are unable to participate in this festival, so the next day Shiva plays Masan Holi with them on the Marghat with the ashes of the pyre. With this belief, in the 16th century, Raja Man Singh of Jaipur built the Masan Temple in Kashi, where devotees play Masan Holi every year.

Devotees start gathering at the Ghat in the early morning, during this time everyone plays Masan Holi with ashes, this festival of Holi with burning pyres beside gives goosebumps. But fear dwarfs in front of the enthusiasm of the devotees. This amazing view of Moksha Nagri Varanasi stuns every beholder. People from all over the world come to see this special Holi.

Holi festival is associated with Lord Krishna all over the country, but in Banaras, it is celebrated in the celebration of Lord Shiva's cow. In Banaras, the festival of colors Holi starts a few days before Ekadashi. The festival begins with the ritual of Gauri's gauna. She leaves her father's house and comes to Shiva's abode. First of all, Shiva reaches Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, then the next day Rudrabhishek is performed before Gauna. Shiva and Parvati are brought to the main temple in a silver palanquin. In this procession, devotees keep blowing colors and gulal. People also put flower petals and colors on the Shiva procession from the roof of the houses. Shiva enters the main temple amid the sound of drums and drums. Then worship takes place in the sanctum sanctorum. After this Lord Shiva orders Varanasi to play Holi.