Lord Shiva-Kasi Viswanatha is all merciful
and soft in nature, hence the place is praised as Ananda Bhavanam – Abode
of Bliss. It is also believed that Lord Shiva defeated and
burnt Lord Brahmma and Vishnu when they attempted to find His feet and
head in this place, resulting in its name Maha Mayanam – the great
cremation ground. Mother Visalakshi has Her own shrine. Kasi
is situated on the western bank of Holy Ganga flowing up to 30
km northward praised as Uttara Vahini.
There are 64 bathing ghats on the bank of
Holy Ganga. The one who makes a dip in each would be the
luckiest. It cannot be possible for every devotee. They
may have their bath in Aschangam, Dasawamedha, Varana Sanga, Pancha Ganga
and Mani Karnika ghats in a single day. This is called Pancha
Theertha Yatra. Aschangama is situated where River As joins
the Ganga. Kasi-Varanasi begins from this place called the
entrance of Kasi. The Shiva Linga here is praised as
Aschangameswarar. Devotees should have a dip here and worship
Changameswarar. It is noteworthy that inspired and gifted
Hindi poet Tulasidass who authored the Tulsi Ramayana disappeared at this
Aschangama ghat in the Holy Ganga.
The devotee should have his /her dip at the
Dasawamedha ghat where Lord Brahmma performed Dasa Ashwamedha
Yajnas. Shivalinga in this ghat is praised as Chooda
Lingeswara. Then comes the Varana Sanga ghat and worship of Lord
Adhikeswara and proceed to Pancha Ganga ghat where Yamuna, Saraswathi,
Shirana and Dhoodabai river confluence. After the dip here,
the devotee should worship Lord Bidhu Madhava and Gangeswarar. The
devotee has to have his/her bath at the Mani Karnika ghat and worship
Lord Mani Karnikeswara and Mother Ambica.
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