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To Varanasi History
and Legends of Varanasi
History and Legends of Varanasi
History of Varanasi
The holy city of Varanasi, also referred to as Benaras,
has been one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations for
Hindus. However the religious sanctity attached to Varanasi
is not just limited to Hindus. It is also a pilgrimage place
for Jains, as Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath,
the twenty-third Tirthankar.
The antiquity of Varanasi goes back to several thousand years
and this revered city has references in several literary sources
like the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as in
Buddhist Jataka stories.
Varanasi has always remained a center of education, knowledge,
philosophy, culture, art and craft, and commerce. Ayurveda,
the Indian system of medicine, is said to have originated at
Varanasi and Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga,
is also generally associated with Varanasi. Even today Varanasi
is a popular center of education and learning and Benares Hindu
University, founded by Madan Mohan Malviya, is a premier University
of India. Varanasi is also famous for trade and commerce, especially
for its finest silk products and gold and silver brocades, since
ancient period.
Mythological Legends
The holy city of Varanasi is steeped in cultural
tradition and mythological legacy. It is regarded as the abode
of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that a dip in the
holy waters of the Ganges cleanses all past sins. Hindus believe
that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would
attain salvation (moksha) and freedom from the cycle of birth
and re-birth. Another popular belief is that immersion of the
ashes of the dead in the ghats grants their soul eternal peace.
Every day thousands of devotees flock to Temples and Ghats of
Varanasi to show their religious devotion by performing aarti
and taking a ritual bath. Ghats of Varanasi provides a spectacular
view of thousands of devotees performing their religious rituals
with earthen diyas in their hands.
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