I Love Varanasi

05/07/2024

Lord Shiva and Kashi are known to be inseparable. There is a story behind how Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati settled down in Kashi.

When Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati got married, they decided to leave Kailash and settle down in a siddha kshetra. After taking a look at the entire world, they choose Kashi. But during that period, Kashi was ruled by King Divodas. King Divodas did not want Lord Shiva to enter his territory.

Lord Shiva sent his gana named nikumb to evacuate Kashi and nikumb did the same. King Divodasa became very unhappy with the events taking place and performed a severe penance to Lord Brahma. He wanted the gods to go back to their divine dwelling and leave earth alone for the living beings. Lord Brahma was pleased with his penance and granted what he wanted. With this, the Gods had to leave Kashi and go forever. Lord Shiva became very upset and he did not feel very elated in the Himalayas.

Lord Shiva thought of a plan and sent 64 yoginis to Kashi in order to remove the King. King Divodasa has established the 64 yoginis in Chousatthi Ghat and they never returned to Lord Shiva. Then Lord Shiva sent Surya Bhagwan to Kashi. He was too charmed with the city’s brilliance and prosperity that he decided to settle down there with his 12 rupas. After that, Lord Brahma also paid a visit to Kashi to fulfill Lord Shiva’s wish, but in vain. He was so inspired by the city that with the help of King Divodasa, he performed ten Ashwamedha yagnas and settled down in Kashi forever. The place is now called as Dashashwamedha Ghat.

As a last resort, Lord Vishnu came to Kashi in order to fulfill Lord Shiva’s wish. He went to King Divodasa and gave gnanopadesh or true knowledge. Upon receiving the true knowledge, the King himself went to Kailasha and invited Lord Shiva to come to Kashi and settle down forever.

https://www.tirthpurohit.org/lord-shiva-kashi/

09/05/2024

The spiritual history of Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Situated on the western banks of the mighty Ganga, the Kashi Vishwanath shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the most significant temples in the country. Here, Lord Shiva is hailed as the Lord of the Universe.

Among the myriad ancient temples and monuments with great spiritual history, the Kashi shrine, with a Jyotirlinga (Lord Shiva) as the presiding deity, finds a special mention.

Located on the western banks of the mighty Ganga, Kashi, also known as Benaras or Varanasi, is hailed as the cradle of spirituality or the spiritual capital of India.

Interestingly, Lord Shiva, who manifested in the form of a fiery pillar to prove his might, split the earth's surface and flashed up to the skies. A segment of this dynamic light manifested in Jyotirlingams in twelve different sites. And Kashi is one of them.

Here, Lord Shiva is hailed as Vishwanath or The Lord the Universe and Vishveshvara (Vishwa+Ishwara), the God of the Universe. And this boundless beam of light symbolises the infinite nature of Lord Shiva and his might.

Moreover, Kashi is believed to be the oldest surviving city globally! Besides the magnificent temple, the Ganga aarti conducted at the adjacent Dashahwamedha Ghat attracts thousands of visitors. And the same holds true for the other shrines and ghats in the city known for its spiritual leanings.

But how old is the Kashi Vishwanath temple, and why is it so significant?

The present shrine was built by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780, and before this, several rulers attempted to rebuild the structure that faced persistent destruction by invaders. And this establishes the fact the temple has been in existence for many centuries but has witnessed several attacks and resurrections.

The present temple structure is said to have three domes, out of which two are covered in gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the king who once ruled Punjab. Interestingly, an ancient well, known as Gyana Vapi (the well of wisdom), continues to narrate the tale of the long past. Belief suggests that the idol of Kashi Vishwanath was hidden in this well to guard it against invaders.

But why is this temple so significant? Interestingly, Lord Shiva is often hailed as the constructive destroyer and associated with timelessness and death. Therefore, devotees seeking liberation from the vicious cycle of birth, life and death, visit the holy town of Kashi and seek refuge in Kailasha, the Lord's heavenly abode, after their journey on earth comes to an end.

Moreover, traditional belief suggests that Lord Shiva's messengers es**rt his devotees during their final journey. Therefore, here, in Kashi, the Shiva Ganas aid devotees end their journey and not the agents of Yama (the Lord of Death). Folklore also indicates that Lord Shiva chants the salvation mantra into the ears of those who visit Kashi and spend the rest of their lives there to seek liberation.

Furthermore, it is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. This fact has been established repeatedly by great personalities such as Adi Sankaracharya, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Bamakhyapa, Goswami Tulsidas and several other men and women with spiritual powers. Last but not least, a visit to this Jyotirlinga shrine is said to be equivalent to visiting the rest of the eleven sites.

In a nutshell, the Kashi Vishwanath shrine embodies India's spiritual and cultural values and is, therefore, deemed most significant. And with the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor consisting of several ancient monuments, later during the day today, the importance of this temple is expected to increase manifold.

https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/religion/article/the-spiritual-history-of-kashi-vishwanath-temple/839965

photo source: https://temple.yatradham.org/temple/shri-kashi-vishwanath-temple, Photo copyright: DINESH MEHTA

07/05/2024

Kashi Ropeway in Varanasi: Reach Kashi Vishwanath temple in just 16 minutes!

Varanasi Ropeway Project Latest Update: Good news for Varanasi! The temple town is ready to get an alternate mode of transport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of this ambitious project on March 24, 2023.

Varanasi Ropeway Project Latest Update: Good news for Varanasi! The temple town is ready to get an alternate mode of transport. In a move to enhance urban transportation, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had decided to develop ropeway in the holy city. This is also the country’s first Urban Ropeway project.

Under the prestigious ‘Parvatmala Pariyojna’ the Government of India (GoI) aims to implement ropeway network to decongest urban areas, where a conventional mass transit system is not feasible.

Source:

Varanasi Ropeway Project Latest Update: Good news for Varanasi! The temple town is ready to get an alternate mode of transport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of this ambitious project on March 24, 2023., Infrastructure News, ET Now

10/01/2024

Felicitated by our Honourable Prime Minister Modiji for my achievement during Sansad Khel Kud Pratiyogita. Stood Champion amongst Girls Under 18 years age group . Honoured to get the opportunity to interact with Hon. Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modiji along with Honourable Chief Minister Yogiji.

28/12/2023

PM Modi releases book on collected works of Madan Mohan Malaviya

The bilingual (English and Hindi) work in 11 volumes, spread across about 4,000 pages, is a collection of the writings and speeches of Malaviya

These volumes comprise his unpublished letters, articles and speeches, including memorandums; the editorial content of Hindi weekly 'Abhyudaya' started by him in 1907; articles, pamphlets and booklets written by him from time to time.

It also contains his speeches given in the Legislative Council of the United Provinces of Agra and Awadh between 1903 and 1910; statements given before the Royal Commission; speeches given during the presentation of bills in the Imperial Legislative Council between 1910 and 1920.

There are also letters, articles and speeches written before and after the establishment of Banaras Hindu University; and a diary written by him between 1923 and 1925.

The work of researching and compiling the documents written and spoken by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was undertaken by the Mahamana Malaviya Mission, an institution devoted to propagating the ideals and values of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.

A dedicated team of the Mission, led by eminent journalist Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, has worked on Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya's original literature without altering the language and text. The publication of these books has been done by the Publications Division under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

===

December 25 observes the birth anniversary of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Affectionately known as Mahamana, he was an Indian educationist and freedom fighter who founded the Banaras Hindu University.

Madan Mohan Malaviya, who was born in 1861, played an integral role in fostering modern education throughout the country and later founded the BHU in Varanasi in 1916. He was also a founding member of the Bharat Scouts and Guides.

In 1909, Malaviya founded the newspaper The Leader that is considered one of the highly influential newspapers. From 1924 to 1946, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Hindustan Times and later launched its Hindi edition Hindustan Dainik in 1936.

For his notable contributions to education in India, Malaviya was honoured with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna on December 24, 2014, posthumously.

On the occasion of Madan Mohan Malaviya’s birth anniversary, here are some inspiring quotes by the Indian educationist.

“Let righteousness and Dharma prevail, and all communities and societies progress. Let our beloved Motherland regain its lost glory, and the sons of Bharat be victorious.”

“If you admit internal purity of human soul, you or your religion can never get impure or defiled in any way by touch or association with any man.”

“I implore all Hindus and Mussalmans, Sikhs, Christians and Parsees and all other countrymen to sink all communal differences and to establish political unity among all sections of the people.”

“We believe religion to be the surest foundation of character and the truest source of human happiness. We believe patriotism to be a powerful elevating influence which inspires men to high-minded unselfish action.”

“Fearlessness is the only way to Freedom. Be fearless and fight for justice.”

“Knowledge without humility is worthless.”

“The country can gain strength and develop itself only when the people of different communities of India live in mutual goodwill and harmony.”

SOURCES:
Photo: https://www.wnsstamps.post/en/stamps/IN061.11

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-releases-book-on-collected-works-of-madan-mohan-malaviya/article67673946.ece

https://apnlive.com/india-news/madan-mohan-malaviya-birth-anniversary/

30/08/2022

नेशनल जी आई (GI, Geographical Indication) फेयर में काशी का दबदबा
बनारसी जी आई क्राफ्ट की धूम

ग्रेटर नोएडा में 26 से 28 अगस्त तक हुए राष्ट्रीय जी आई फेयर में बनारस के शिल्पी औऱ बुनकर छाए रहे क्योकि सर्वाधिक भागीदारी वाराणसी और आसपास के जनपदों से रही जिसमें महिला शिल्पी अमृता सिंह और मुमताज जहाँ भी रही और इसी राष्ट्रीय जी आई (GI) फेयर में ही पद्मश्री सम्मानित डॉ रजनी कांत को एक्सपोर्ट प्रमोशन कौंसिल फ़ॉर हैंडीक्राफ्ट, EPCH द्वारा लाइफ टाइम अचीवमेंट अवार्ड से एडिशनल सेक्रेटरी, DPIIT, वाणिज्य मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार श्री अनिल अग्रवाल द्वारा सम्मानित किया गया।

पहली बार राष्ट्रीय स्तर का कोई फेयर हुआ जिसमें किसी भी तरह के कोई भी उत्पाद किसी अन्य देश के नही थे, सिर्फ भारतीय जी आई उत्पाद रहे।

बनारस के खिलौनों, गुलाबी मीनाकारी, स्टोन जाली क्राफ्ट, वुड कर्वीग , मेटल रेपोसी, जरदोजी, हैंडब्लॉक प्रिंट, दरी, कालीन, वाल हैंगिंग, बनारसी साड़ी , चुनार गलेस्ड पॉटरी .

इस जी आई प्रदर्शनी में काशी के प्रशिद्ध आर्टिसन, गुलाबी मीनाकारी के श्री अमरनाथ वर्मा 65, वर्ष, निवासी भैरव गली, और सबसे युवा शिल्पी वुड कार्विंग संदीप विश्वकर्मा 25 वर्ष सहित नेशनल अवार्डी रामेश्वरम, सोहित, स्टेट अवार्डी बच्चा लाल, प्यारेलाल, कैसर जहाँ, धर्मराज, बृजराज निषाद, अवधेश पटेल, जमालुदीन, कल्लू राम , श्री कांत मिश्रा, दुर्गा पटेल, सहित कई शिल्पियों , बुनकरों ने भागीदारी किया ।।

बनारस के जी आई शिल्पिओ और बुनकरों द्वारा लगभग 4 से 5 लाख की सीधी बिक्री की गई और 15 से 20 लाख का आर्डर प्राप्त हुआ तथा कई अंतरराष्ट्रीय बायर से सीधा संपर्क हुआ। ऑनलाइन बाजार से भी जुड़ने का अवसर प्राप्त हुआ इन लोगो को और अब ये लोग EPCH से सीधे संपर्क में आ गए ।।

इस राष्ट्रीय आयोजन में डॉ रजनी कांत द्वारा बिहार के 2 और आसाम के 2 उत्पादों तथा वाराणसी परिक्षेत्र के 145 जी आई यूजर (GI) के जी आई पंजीकरण हेतु आवेदन अधिकृत अधिकारी प्रशांत कुमार, अस्सिस्टेंट रजिस्ट्रार और अभिषेक पांडेय को दिया गया है।।

अभय कुमार
मीडिया कोऑर्डिनेटर
ह्यूमन वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन

30/08/2022

22 year old Abhinav Yadav uses Instagram to Help 50 Artisans Earn Rs 2 Lakh From Their Unique Craft

In 2020, Varanasi-native Abhinav Yadav was disappointed as he couldn’t visit Europe for his Master’s degree due to the COVID-19-induced travel restrictions.

To distract himself, he started an Instagram page called ‘Create Your Taste’. Up here, he shared home decor ideas, gardening videos and simple do-it-yourself (DIY) tips. People loved his content and within a month, Abhinav got a fan following of 10,000.
..

Abhinav is now able to help 50 artisans to earn a decent income from their skills.

The products are available on the same brand name over Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and Instagram. They receive a revenue of Rs 2 lakh per month.

“We started by selling bamboo-based products and eventually included terracotta, jute and recycled cloth-based products as well,” said the entrepreneur. He is all set to expand his customer base and his product inventory too.

https://www.thebetterindia.com/296004/varanasi-content-creator-helps-local-women-artisans-earn-from-instagram-video/

https://www.facebook.com/thebetterindia/posts/pfbid031Vck8fdaT7YNjU2SRajTzNNm6LQNCAiVYy6Ddzh9dJ29HidNG2xTcGu1bQsrcydel

Varanasi-based content creator Abhinav Yadav created the Instagram page 'Create Your Taste' to help local women artisans earn from their craft.

12/07/2022

Meet lawyer Acharya Shyam Upadhyay, who for the past 38 years has done all his work in the Sanskrit language.

Varanasi lawyer Shyam Upadhyay not only writes the affidavit in Sanskrit, but he also examines the court in Sanskrit.

Shyam Upadhyay is Acharya and BA LLB in Sanskrit.

From 1978 till today, he does the work of the court completely in Sanskrit.

The reason behind this attachment of Acharya Shyam Upadhyay to Sanskrit is told by his father.

He says that the work of the court is not done in Sanskrit, that he was troubled since childhood.

In class 7th, Shyam had decided that he would become a lawyer and use the Sanskrit language in the court.

That's why he started work in court after doing BA LLB.

All the work was done in Sanskrit.

Not only this, people bring their case to themselves and explain it very easily in Sanskrit.

Then he also writes letters in Sanskrit.

https://english.newstracklive.com/news/advocate-acharya-shyam-upadhyay-doing-all-his-court-work-in-sanskrit-language-mc23-nu-1067717-1.html

06/07/2022

Tanay Mandowara's meeting with 125 yr old Padma Shri Swami Sivanand from Varanasi:

Recently, I was on the Delhi airport for my early morning flight to Udaipur.

Suddenly, I saw an old man with a small frame doing his morning walk.

I really got excited to see him as I recognized him from a viral video I watched on Instagram.

The man was Padma Shri Swami Sivanand from Varanasi.

He is the world's oldest man alive.

He was born on 8th August 1896 and is 125 years old. Can you believe this?!

He is not only fit, but also practices his yoga and does his puja every day.

What truly inspired me about him was how he was born into poverty but lived a life of simplicity and eventually was awarded the 4th highest civilian award for his contribution to Yoga and society.

Here is his life story in brief:

1. A beggar's son by birth.

2. His mother and father lived by asking alms.

3. Was handed over to a monk (Omkarnanda Goswami Babaji) at the age of 4.

4. His sister died without food.

5. His mother died before sunrise & his father died after sunrise on the same day when he was just 6 years old.

6. He burnt their dead bodies on the same funeral pyre.

7. After performing their funeral ceremony, he started living in a hermitage with Guruji.

8. His life is dedicated for the service of the poor people.

9. He has been awarded the Yoga Ratna award, Basundhara Ratan award and the Padma Shri in 2022.

Swami ji says that the secret to his long life is that he doesn't have any desires.

P.S. This was a total fanboy moment for me.



Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tmandowara_people-yoga-swamisivanand-activity-6950045673417244672-0qqH

03/04/2022

River Ganges & Boats!

29/03/2022

Live @ Vishwnath Gali!

Photo shared by Rohit Dhingra

26/01/2022

Who is lt Shivani Singh?

Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh is from Varanasi city in Uttar Pradesh state and joined the IAF in 2017. Before flying Rafale, Shivangi flew MiG-21 Bison aircraft.

Shivangi Singh joined the Indian Air Force in 2017 and was commissioned in the IAF's second batch of women fighter pilots.

Flg Lt Shivangi Singh is part of the IAF's Golden Arrows squadron based in Ambala in Punjab state.

The country’s first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot Shivangi Singh was part of the Indian Air Force tableau at the Republic Day parade on Wednesday.

She is only the second woman fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF tableau.

See Video: https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/1486223203974660097

Last year, Flight Lieutenant Bhawna Kanth became the first female fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF tableau.

New Delhi: The country’s first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot Shivangi Singh was part of the Indian Air Force tableau at the Republic Day parade on Wednesday. She is only the second woman fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF tableau.

Last year, Flight Lieutenant Bhawna Kanth became the first female fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF tableau.

As the defence forces showcased their strength during the Republic Day celebrations, the Indian Air Force(IAF) tableau displayed the theme "Indian Air Force Transforming for the future".'' The theme of this year's IAF tableau was Indian Air Force, transforming for the future. Following the march past in 12 rows and 8 columns, the tableau came on Rajpath showing scaled down models of Rafale fighter jet, indigenously developed light combat helicopter (LCH) and 3D surveillance radar Aslesha MK-1. It also featured a scaled-down model of MiG-21 aircraft that played a major role in the 1971 war.

The first batch of Rafale fighter jets arrived on July 29, 2020, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 aircraft at a cost of Rs. 59,000 crore. So far, 32 Rafale jets have been delivered to the IAF and four are expected by April this year.

#2022

https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/watch-video-who-is-lt-shivani-singh-the-first-woman-fighter-pilot-on-rafale-combat-aircraft

Shivangi Singh joined the Indian Air Force in 2017 and was commissioned in the IAF's second batch of women fighter pilots.

09/12/2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate his flagship Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi on December 13.

The project is touted to change the landscape of ancient Varanasi city.

The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which is 50-feet-wide, will connect the ancient jyotirlinga temple to the famed ghats of Varanasi.

https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/fe-exclusive-first-images-of-newly-renovated-kashi-vishwanath-corridor-set-to-be-inaugurated-by-pm-modi/2383998/

02/12/2021

She was confined to bed for 17 years with near-total paralysis caused by severe spine fracture after being pushed down the third floor of a building by her husband and in-laws on February 3, 1997.

Doctors had given up hope that she would ever be able to stand on her feet.

Not only did she prove them wrong by walking again, she went on to set two enviable records in painting, besides motivating girls of nondescript villages to turn into international champion Taekwondo players.

Today, Punam Rai, 47, is a role model for painters, Taekwondo players and dancers across Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

A Banaras Hindu University (BHU) graduate in Painting Honours, Punam has been emancipating hundreds of children through painting and taekwondo. While she has hired taekwondo trainers for her NGO, she teaches painting herself.



Sources:

https://www.thebetterindia.com/265856/punam-rai-varanasi-learn-taekwondo-ngo-empowering-girls-inspiring/

https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2021/nov/14/from-adversity-to-inspiration-the-journey-of-varanasis-punam-rai-2383269.html

24/11/2021

Claim: Ratneshwar temple leans at an angle higher than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Fact Check: The claim is true. The Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple is situated at Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi.

The temple has developed a nine-degree slant.

It is also referred to as Kashi Karvat (Kashi is the ancient name for Varanasi and karvat means leaning in Hindi).

A Times Now report said that one of the beliefs held regarding the temple is that the 'ghat' had collapsed and leaned backwards after not being able to withstand its weight.

The temple supposedly stood straight before the 1860s.

An Indian Travel Photography Blog, Kevin Standage, stated that the temple is famous for having a tilt of about nine degrees.

https://thelogicalindian.com/fact-check/ratneshwar-temple-leaning-tower-pisa-varanasi-lean-22847

25/01/2021

Brahma once weighed the heavens against Kashi. And Kashi, being heavier, sank while the skies, despite all the gods who lived there, rose upwards. – Adi Shankara, Manikarnikastotram

https://www.taleof2backpackers.com/banaras-varanasi-quotes/