Varanasi also known as Benares, Banaras, or Benaras or Kashi is a
renowned Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges in
the state of Uttar Pradesh. According to legends, the city was founded
by Hindu god
Shiva, and hence it is one of the most important
pilgrimage destinations in the country. In fact, it is considered to be
one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus where more than 1,000,000
pilgrims visit each year. There are large number of temples in the city.
The most important one is the
Kashi Vishwanath Temple (an aspect
of Lord Shiva) which is one of the 12 revered
Jyotirlingas of
the Lord Shiva. There is also the red coloured
Durga Temple
accompanied by a rectangular tank of water called
Durga Kund.
There is the
Birla Temple built as a replica of the old Kashi
Vishwanath Temple. According to a popular belief, this city is one of
the
Shakti Peeths where Divine Mother Sati's earring fell and
therein stands the present
Vishalakshi Temple. Some says that it
is one of the four pilgrimage sites designated by
Gautama Buddha.
It is also a pilgrimage place for Jains as it is said to be the
birthplace of
Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankar. Vaishnavism and
Shaivism have co-existed in this holy place harmoniously. This place is
so sacred that there is a belief that people dying in the holy city of
Varanasi circumvents rebirth and attains salvation.
