Kashi Yatra

Kashi Yatra - Shiv ji, Maa Annapurna & Maa Vishalakshi Darshan

 

Author:  Satish Kumar Bhairavabhotla

 

 

My Yatra to Sacred City Varanasi & Visit to Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna & Vishalakshi temples

 

1.  Om Namah Shivaya
2.  Om Traiyambakam yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvaruka miva bandhanath Mrityorm ksheeya maamrutat
3.  Om Sri Annapurnai namaha
4.  Om Sri Visalakshai namah
5.  Om Sri Madhaveswarai namah

 

A wish.  A wish for self sacredness.  Every individual wish to visit Kashi atleast once in their life period.  It is such a greatest sacred place, whoever visits the temple & God darshan gets peace of mind instantly and also gets all their wishes fulfilled.

 

There is a saying which states that “It is god’s blessings requires particularly to visit Kashi.  Otherwise It’s very difficult to reach there”.  May be it is correct.  We use to understand it when many people around us say that they too are trying or have decided to visit Kashi but still trying.   Yes, trying & deciding is quite different from doing things.  For this everyone needs certainly God’s blessings. 

 

But, should we wait for God’s blessings to come or Should we go to Kashi first and get God’s darshan & blessings immediately.  Let’s  go and get God’s blessings immediately.

 

How to visit Kashi Temple?  What are the procedures?  What are the methods to get results instantly? 

 

Regularly, when we perform pooja to God, what we will do?  We start pooja with our atma sudhi, deha sudhi and then invoke god into our little idle and start performing pooja at our houses.

 

In the same manner, We will get shudhi of our body, shudhi of our atma and everything once we dip into a sacred river.  As a procedure, we should dip 3-times in sacred river and then visit temple with same clothes and with sacred river water.  If we get the opportunity to get a dip in 3-sacred rivers.  It is great life time opportunity.

 

Now we understand the procedure.  If we want to make it best, always there is a better way.

 

Triveni Sangam at Prayag:

 

Prayag is located in Allahabad city.  Triveni Sangam is located 10-minutes distance from Allahabad Railway Station.  Three wheeler Autos & Rikshas are always available at Allahabad Railway Station to reach the said destination. 

 

To reach Allahabad, there train, bus & flight services are available round the clock from all locations of India.  According to the budget, one can decide how to travel.  Most people reach even by walk.

 

When 3-rivers merge at one place, it is called Triveni Sangam.  Here, River Ganga, River Yamuna & River Saraswati flows and merges at once place and flows together there from.  River Ganga is visible and flows from one side & from other side river Yamuna flows which is also visible.  Both flows from different sides and merges at once place and from underwater river Saraswati flows which is invisible. 

 

At the place of Triveni Sangam, Pandits sits on boats for performing pooja to all devotees.  As soon as I reached the location (Ganga or Yamuna bank – I reached Ganga bank), various Boats men came to me and asked whether I need a Boat to reach Triveni Sangam.  Obviously, I sat on a Boat and reached Triveni Sangam location.  I saw a Pandits performing poojas at Triveni Sangam location.  I went to one of Pandits.  Pandit performed pooja and asked me to get down into the Sangam water where one table sized wood is tied between two lower side of boats which is deep into water (3-feet low).  I dipped into the holy sangam water thrice and offered Coconut, money, flowers to Sangam water and came into the Boat again.  Pandit again performed some pooja and advised me to take sangam water in a can for offering abhishek to Lord shiva at Kashi.  I bought two cans there and took holy sangam water.  One to offer abhshek to Lord shiva and one to keep at my house.  Whenever there is pooja or any rituals takes place at our residence, we can spray holy river water all over our house for shudhi.  It is good.

 

If you get opportunity, give arghyam to Lord Surya with the Triveni Sangam Water.  One will get this opportunity very few times in their life time or may be once in a life time.  What is arghyam?  Take water with two palms, keep your hands straight to your nose, look at Surya and leave the water flowing through fingers with hands intact.  Then offer namaskar to Lord Surya.  “Surya namaskar priyahaha”.  Lord Surya always likes Surya Namaskars and fulfills all our wishes.

 

I read few Puranas.  There are 18-Puranas.  In all most all the Puranas, it is written that River Ganga is most sacred river.   A dip into River Ganga at least once in a life time will give purification of body & soul.  Here we have 3-sacred rivers.

 

18-Puranas:

 

How many Puranas are there.   What are there.  I am giving here names of 18-Puranas.

 

1.        Padma Puranam

2.       Brahma Puranam

3.       Garuda Puranam

4.       Vamana Puranam

5.       Bhaagavata Puranam

6.       Brahmaanda Puranam

7.       Matsya Puranam

8.       Koorma Puranam

9.       Linga Puranam

10.   Varaha Puranam

11.   Narada Puranam

12.   Scaanda Puranam

13.   Shiva Puranam

14.   Vishnu Puranam

15.   Agni Puranam

16.   Markandeya Puranam

17.   Brahma Vaivaratha Puranam

18.   Bhavishya Puranam

 

It’s good to read at least few of the above Puranas to get purification of life and quick results for fulfilling our unlimited wishes.

 

What to ask when a God gives darshan?

 

A person prayed for God continuously, God given a darshan and asked him what he wants.  Shall he ask for money? Or for Land & Buildings? Or what else?  If people read above Puranas at least few, one will get answer instantly that It is Moksham, which has to be asked for.  Yes, when God himself is asking whatever to be asked for then what else to ask for except Mukti & Moksham.  That’s why to learn many things in life, these Puranas are useful for sacredness. 

 

 Hanuman Temple:

 

I came out from Triveni Sangam, and went to Lord Hanuman Temple which is located nearby Rivers banks.  I got a darshan & got blessings from Lord.  The Lord Hanuman Idle is quite big.  I saw people around me offering flowers & money to god and getting blessings from Pandit.

 

Shakti Peeth – Prayaga Madhaveswari:

 

There are 18-Shakti Peeths which are all very very powerful.  Besides, there are 52-Shakti Peeths also located in and around India.

 

Madhaveswari Devi Temple at Prayag location in Allahabad is also one of the most powerful 18-Shakti Peeths.  According to Puranas, Devi’s fingers fell at this place.  Entire story of this Shakti Peeth is also available in above Puranas.

 

I have visited the temple and got Madhaveswari devi darshan.  It is a great opportunity for me to get Shakti Peeth darshan.  I sat inside the temple and prayed Goddess to bless me.

 

There are many other temples nearby Prayag location.  According to the time, one can visit at least few of those temples since any temple at a sacred place is equally powerful.

 

Once Triveni Sangam & Shakti Peeth darshan is complete, I have started travelling to Kashi which is 3-hours far away from Allahabad either by Road or Train.

 

Kashi, the most powerful sacred place in India.  It is also called Varanasi or Benaras.  I prayed God once again for his darshan.

 

Kashi Yatra:

 

As soon as I reached Bus Station which is also opposite to Railway Station (few Kmtrs away from Airport), I took a Taxi and asked him to leave me at Temple.

 

Once I reached the Temple, I tried to see Hotels for stay around Temple location.

 

Where to Stay:

 

It is always according to your Budget & your wish, which decides where to stay.  But when we come from very distant location, it is always better to stay nearby Temple location.  It is best if it is also nearby River Ganga.  Yes, it is a good idea.

 

Sacred River Ganga - Ganga Aarati:

 

It was evening time around Sunset.   Without wasting much time, I took a room nearby hotel, got fresh up, changed my dress and immediately reached River Ganga.  I took a dip and offered namaskar to Ganga Devi, sacred Ganga river for giving me this greatest opportunity in my life.  Again my one more dip.  Yes, few more dips.  I got a smile in face.  I felt, I got some positive energy flowing into my body all over.  I saw all over standing inside River Ganga water.  Since it is Sunset time, Pandits nearby getting preparations for “Ganga Aarati”.  Every One must to see and offer Aarati to River Ganga.

 

Jyotirling - Lord Kashi Vishwanath Darshan:

 

Om Namah Shivaya

Om Namah Shivaya

Om Namah Shivaya

 

Immediately, I took a can of sacred Ganga river water and with the same clothes, I ran into the Temple which is very nearby.  There are several gates.  As soon as one enters any gate, people around us will guide how to reach temple.  I ran, ran to get darshan (Why to Walk now? When we are nearby God.  I just ran fast).  While running, I bought Milk, flowers, Bilwa patras for abhishek to Lord Shiva.  Finally, I reached Temple, went inside.  I have offered River Ganga Water, Milk, Flowers, Bilwa Patras to Lord shiva.  Yes, this is called Abishekam.  Abhishekam to Lord Kashi Vishveswara.  Abhishekam to Lord Shiva.  Abhishekam to Maha Parameshwara.  It is such a great opportunity in my life that I got a darshan.  And God has given me opportunity for his Abhishekam also.  I have prayed him for some time.  Water was flowing from my Eyes with happiness for getting such a opportunity in my life.

 

Sandhya Aarti to Lord Shiva:

 

Om Traiyambakam yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvaruka miva bandhanath Mrityorm ksheeya maamrutat

Om Traiyambakam yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvaruka miva bandhanath Mrityorm ksheeya maamrutat

Om Traiyambakam yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvaruka miva bandhanath Mrityorm ksheeya maamrutat

 

 

 

Slowly, the time is getting around 7.00 pm.  I saw a Pandit nearby temple and asked him whether any other poojas are available at this time.  He advised me to get a ‘Sandhya Aarti’ ticket immediately which is getting started any time now.  I quickly went to tickets selling counter and asked him what are the poojas available.  Pandit was also with me.  He told that now Sandhya Aarti and in early morning hours, ‘Mangala Aarti’ which starts from 3.00 AM.  Later one can offer Abhishek to Lord Shiva while Pandit chanting Mantras. 

 

I purchased tickets for Sandhya Aarti which starts immediately (7.00 PM) and ‘Mangala Aarti’ ticket which starts next day early morning 3.00 AM and Ticket for abhishekam where Pandit chant Mantras while we perform abhishek to Lord shiva.

 

Now, Pandits inside temple sitting around Shiva Linga started chanting Mantras.  They have offered Abhishek to Lord Shiva followed by flowers, garlands, Prasad and finally Sandhya Aarti.  Believe it or not, the moment they started chanting mantras right from the beginning, slowly slowly, I thought and I felt that I was in Kailash sitting before Lord Shiva & Goddess Paravathi and Shiva Ganas (devotees to Lord Shiva) & Devi Ganas (devotees of Goddess) performing poojas to God.  Yes, I was in heaven, more than that I was in Kailash looking into Lord Shiva Eyes.  Yes, Only shiva Linga is visible now and nothing else.  Certainly I do not know what is happening to all other devotees sitting around me.  Since there is quite silence and everyone is praying while Pandits performing Aarti, It was quite clear that we were all in Kailash and getting Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvathi darshan.  After Sandhya Aarti, all the devotees went inside the temple and got a closed darshan of Shiva Linga, offered prayers to get their wishes fulfilled.

 

Shiva Linga of Lord Vishwanath at Kashi is a Jyotirling.  One of very very powerful Jyotirlingas in and around India.

 

Shaktipeeth - Goddess Annapurneshwari:

 

Goddess Annapoorna Temple at Kashi which is located next to Lord Vishwanath Temple is  Shakti Peeth.  Whoever recites ‘Annapoorna Ashtakam’ every day will get their wishes fulfilled over a period time.  If one gets opportunity to get Goddess Annapurna darshan directly here.  It means we are getting Moksham right now.  One can sit very peace fully before Goddess Idle and pray as much they want and as much time they have.  Such a peaceful place, I spent some time there praying her.

 

Please be noted that each Goddess at every Shakti Peeth Temple is in the form of Goddess Paravathi.  It is a Shakti Temple.  One visit here itself will change life.  Goddess Annapurna here is a powerful Shakti, Goddess of Food, Goddess of Maya.

 

People around sitting peacefully, with peace of mind and happiness chanting matras, reciting slokas & stotras silently.

 

After some time I came out from there and started walking to Kashi Vishalakshi Temple which is also nearby.

 

Shaktipeeth - Goddess Kashi Vishalakshi:

 

One must visit this temple in their life time.  Goddess Vishalakshi here is in standing position.  It looks like Devi is in dhyaan or in meditation.  Once we start praying Goddess looking into her eyes, we will keep on sitting there more and more time praying her or meditating her.  Such a peace of mind we get while meditating Goddess Visalakshi. 

 

It is said that Goddess Paravathi eyes have fallen here.   Hence, she is called here Devi Vishalakshi.   The story in detailed is also available in above Puranas. 

 

Next day morning also, I went to Darshan with Triveni Sangam Rivers water, offered Mangala Aarti & Abhishekam to Kashi Vishwanath, Got a darshan of Goddess Annapurna & Goddess Vishalakshi Devi.

 

How many columns one can write, how many stories one can write on this visit, it is just like a drop of water in a Ocean. 

 

I sat nearby River Ganga banks.  Tears were flowing from my eyes with happiness.  This can only be felt but can’t and never can be explained because when you feel it comes from your heart.  This is what I felt, my happiness came from devotion to Lord.

 

Visit to Bhairavanath Temple:

 

Lord Kaal Bhairav guardian of Jyothirlinga and Shaktipeeth temples.  The more stories about Bhairavanath is available in above Puranas. 

 

One must remember the following few points whoever visits this holy city Kashi.

 

1.  Dip into River Ganga
2. Ganga Aarti
3. Kashi Vishwanath – Shiva Linga Abhishekam
4. Goddess Annapurna darshan
5. Goddess Vishalakshi darshan
6. God Kaal Bhairava darshan

 

It is said that Kashi yatra is complete when all the above are fulfilled.  Finally, never to forget visiting Kaal Bhairava Temple.  It is said that anyone can only visit this holy City Kashi when Kaal Bhairav gives permission.

 

Om Gangayai Namaha

Om Yamunayai Namaha

Om Saraswatai Namaha

 

 

12-Jyothirlingas in India:

 

There are tweleve (12) Jyothirlingas in India, as given below:

 

1.  Mallikarjuna at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
2. Nageswar at Dwarka, Gujarat
3. Somnath at Gujarat
4. Kedarnath at Himalayas
5. Vaidyanath at Jharkhand
6. Mahakaleshwar at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
7. Omkareshwar at Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh
8. Grishneshwar at Aurangabad
9. Bhimshankar at Maharashtra
10. Triambakeshwar at Triambakeshwar, Maharashtra
11. Rameshwaram at Ramehswaram, Tamil Nadu
12. Vishwanath at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

 

18-Shakti Peeth in and around India:

 

There are eighteen (18) Shakti Peethas in and around India, as listed below.  Just chanting these names will give purification of Life. 

 

1. Shankari Devi at Sri Lanka
2. Kamakshi at Kanchi, Tamilnadu
3. Srinkhaka Devi at Pryadumna
4. Chamunda Devi at Mysore, Karnataka
5. Jogulamba devi at Alampur, Andhra Pradesh
6. Brhamarambhika devi at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
7. Mahalakshmi devi at Kolhapur, Madhya Pradesh
8. Ekaveerika Devi at Mahur, Maharashtra
9. Maha Kaali devi at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
10. Puruhutika Devi, Peethapuram, Andhra Pradesh
11. Girija Devi at Odyane
12. Dakshayani devi at Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh
13. Kamarupi devi at Kurukshetra
14. Madhaveshwari devi at Prayag, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
15. Vaishanavi devi at Jammu
16. Mangalya Gaurika devi at Gaya, Bihar
17. Vishalakshi Devi at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
18. Saraswati Devi at Kashmir

 

 

When any one will get utmost satisfaction in their life? 

When they get Mukti or Moksham.

It is the ultimate happiness and satisfaction. 

 

In Bhagavad Geeta,  Lord Sri Krishna has told that It is He who do the things and creates the things and all are his blessings.  One can perform their Karma only when Lord Krishna sanctions life to One.  He is everything to our Life.

 

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya 

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

 

 

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