Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Now something about Banares. Banares aka Kasi and Varanasi is the holiest city for the Hindus. In the words of M.A. Sherring who wrote about the city in 1868, " It is acknowledged throughout the world as a core of the Hindu tradition and a seat of ancient learning. It is a city where where infinity, continuity, the past and present live together. There are few cities in the world of greater antiquity, and none that have so uninterruptedly maintained their ancient celebrity and distinction. " " Blessed is Kashi, the city of liberation, adorned by Ganga and the soothing soul-saving maiden of a river, the Manikarnika. " - Adi Sankaracharya. The present city is not very old. It lies along the bank of the river Ganga. There is a long line of ghats (a series of steps leading down to the river). You could read up something about the city here. http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa041201d.htm Now for the visitor old Banares is a maze of small lanes dotted with temples. Many of us were staying in old Banares. Devi Mandir was in the newer part of the city. The first time you land in Banares, the only word which comes to your mind is " chaos " . If this is the feeling of an Indian saying in Kolkata, you can imagine the feeling of the visitor who has come to India for the first time. To add to to the confusion there are security personnel all over the place. The temples of Lord Viswanath and Maa Annapurna are situated right in the middle of the maze of the lanes. Though they were not far from our lodgings, we could never agree on the shortest way to the temples. Day 2 - 08/11/2008 Chandi Path recitation at the Annapurna temple in the morning. Though I am familiar with Chandi Patah, this was the first time I was reciting it with the Devi Mandir group. It took me some time to get used to the rhythm. I caught on only in the second chapter. It is always great to recite Chandi Patah and doing it with Swamiji was a wonderful experience. Some of us had Dharshan of Lord Viswanath later. Both these temples are situated close together. Kirtan at Devi Mandir in the evening. The Tiwari brothers had come from Howrah, Kolkata. One of them who is a singer of repute has composed songs on Sree Maa and Swamiji. He sang his compositions and other kirtans accompanied by his brother on the tabla. Then Sree Maa started singing and we were lost in the ocean of devotion. Day 3 -09/11/2008 I was looking forward to the Yagna on the banks of Maa Ganga. We did have a general Yagna in March in Lalita Ghat. Lalita ghat is named after the temple of Maa Lalita Tripurasundari located nearby. It is in the typical Nepali wooden architectural style. http://www.asiaexplorers.com/india/lalita_ghat.htm You can see the temple in the second photograph. Our lodgings were near the Dasaswamedha Ghat. A boat was arranged to go to the Lalita ghat. We (myself and Swami Vittalanda) preferred to walk along the Ghats. The boat ride on the Ganges along the entire stretch of Ghats of Varanasi early in the morning is a must for every pilgrim. You see the history of India in the different ghats. A sight to behold. Sree Maa and Swamiji arrived by boat. Swamiji chose a place very near Manikarnika ghat for the yagna. You could see some of the funeral fires in Manikarnika ghat. What a fantastic backdrop. The atmosphere was serene and indescribable. I was reciting the Shiv Sahasranamam for the first time. ( lot of firsts on this retreat). You can see some photographs of manikarnika ghat here. http://www.asiaexplorers.com/india/manikarnika_ghat.htm Our yagna was conducted at the extreme left hand corner of the second from top photograph. Hope to see some actual photographs posted once the devotees return home. After the Yagna many of us left for Vindhyachal. More about that later. Jai MAA !!! Sankar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Thank you for your report on visiting Benares. What a blessing to be able to visit the city where Shiva and Divine have such a special manifestation and to be able to do ritual there as well. Can we get copies of the songs about Swamiji and Shree Maa? It would be great to be able to add them to my own aarti. Om Jai Kali Ma! Om Namah Shivaya Kumari , " Sankar Viswanathan " <sankarrukku wrote: > > > Now something about Banares. Banares aka Kasi and Varanasi is the > holiest city for the Hindus. In the words of M.A. Sherring who wrote > about the city in 1868, " It is acknowledged throughout the world as a > core of the Hindu tradition and a seat of ancient learning. It is a > city where where infinity, continuity, the past and present live > together. There are few cities in the world of greater antiquity, and > none that have so uninterruptedly maintained their ancient celebrity > and distinction. " > > " Blessed is Kashi, the city of liberation, adorned by Ganga and the > soothing soul-saving maiden of a river, the Manikarnika. " - Adi > Sankaracharya. > > The present city is not very old. It lies along the bank of the river > Ganga. There is a long line of ghats (a series of steps leading down > to the river). You could read up something about the city here. > > http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa041201d.htm > > Now for the visitor old Banares is a maze of small lanes dotted with > temples. Many of us were staying in old Banares. Devi Mandir was in > the newer part of the city. The first time you land in Banares, the > only word which comes to your mind is " chaos " . If this is the feeling > of an Indian saying in Kolkata, you can imagine the feeling of the > visitor who has come to India for the first time. To add to to the > confusion there are security personnel all over the place. > > The temples of Lord Viswanath and Maa Annapurna are situated right in > the middle of the maze of the lanes. Though they were not far from our > lodgings, we could never agree on the shortest way to the temples. > > > Day 2 - 08/11/2008 > > Chandi Path recitation at the Annapurna temple in the morning. Though > I am familiar with Chandi Patah, this was the first time I was > reciting it with the Devi Mandir group. It took me some time to get > used to the rhythm. I caught on only in the second chapter. It is > always great to recite Chandi Patah and doing it with Swamiji was a > wonderful experience. > > Some of us had Dharshan of Lord Viswanath later. Both these temples > are situated close together. > > Kirtan at Devi Mandir in the evening. The Tiwari brothers had come > from Howrah, Kolkata. One of them who is a singer of repute has > composed songs on Sree Maa and Swamiji. He sang his compositions and > other kirtans accompanied by his brother on the tabla. > > Then Sree Maa started singing and we were lost in the ocean of devotion. > > Day 3 -09/11/2008 > > I was looking forward to the Yagna on the banks of Maa Ganga. We did > have a general Yagna in March in Lalita Ghat. Lalita ghat is named > after the temple of Maa Lalita Tripurasundari located nearby. It is in > the typical Nepali wooden architectural style. > > http://www.asiaexplorers.com/india/lalita_ghat.htm > > You can see the temple in the second photograph. > > Our lodgings were near the Dasaswamedha Ghat. A boat was arranged to > go to the Lalita ghat. We (myself and Swami Vittalanda) preferred to > walk along the Ghats. The boat ride on the Ganges along the entire > stretch of Ghats of Varanasi early in the morning is a must for every > pilgrim. You see the history of India in the different ghats. A sight > to behold. > > Sree Maa and Swamiji arrived by boat. Swamiji chose a place very near > Manikarnika ghat for the yagna. You could see some of the funeral > fires in Manikarnika ghat. What a fantastic backdrop. The atmosphere > was serene and indescribable. I was reciting the Shiv Sahasranamam for > the first time. ( lot of firsts on this retreat). > > You can see some photographs of manikarnika ghat here. > > http://www.asiaexplorers.com/india/manikarnika_ghat.htm > > Our yagna was conducted at the extreme left hand corner of the second > from top photograph. Hope to see some actual photographs posted once > the devotees return home. > > After the Yagna many of us left for Vindhyachal. More about that later. > > Jai MAA !!! > > Sankar > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Dear Sankar, thank you so much for these posts about your experiences and the extra info and photos. Your loving service is very much appreciated by one who wishes she could have been there. I am looking forward to your next posts, with love, Henny In , " Sankar Viswanathan " <sankarrukku wrote: > > > Now something about Banares. Banares aka Kasi and Varanasi is the > holiest city for the Hindus. In the words of M.A. Sherring who wrote > about the city in 1868, " It is acknowledged throughout the world as a > core of the Hindu tradition and a seat of ancient learning. It is a > city where where infinity, continuity, the past and present live > together. There are few cities in the world of greater antiquity, and > none that have so uninterruptedly maintained their ancient celebrity > and distinction. " > > " Blessed is Kashi, the city of liberation, adorned by Ganga and the > soothing soul-saving maiden of a river, the Manikarnika. " - Adi > Sankaracharya. > > The present city is not very old. It lies along the bank of the river > Ganga. There is a long line of ghats (a series of steps leading down > to the river). You could read up something about the city here. > > http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa041201d.htm > > Now for the visitor old Banares is a maze of small lanes dotted with > temples. Many of us were staying in old Banares. Devi Mandir was in > the newer part of the city. The first time you land in Banares, the > only word which comes to your mind is " chaos " . If this is the feeling > of an Indian saying in Kolkata, you can imagine the feeling of the > visitor who has come to India for the first time. To add to to the > confusion there are security personnel all over the place. > > The temples of Lord Viswanath and Maa Annapurna are situated right in > the middle of the maze of the lanes. Though they were not far from our > lodgings, we could never agree on the shortest way to the temples. > > > Day 2 - 08/11/2008 > > Chandi Path recitation at the Annapurna temple in the morning. Though > I am familiar with Chandi Patah, this was the first time I was > reciting it with the Devi Mandir group. It took me some time to get > used to the rhythm. I caught on only in the second chapter. It is > always great to recite Chandi Patah and doing it with Swamiji was a > wonderful experience. > > Some of us had Dharshan of Lord Viswanath later. Both these temples > are situated close together. > > Kirtan at Devi Mandir in the evening. The Tiwari brothers had come > from Howrah, Kolkata. One of them who is a singer of repute has > composed songs on Sree Maa and Swamiji. He sang his compositions and > other kirtans accompanied by his brother on the tabla. > > Then Sree Maa started singing and we were lost in the ocean of devotion. > > Day 3 -09/11/2008 > > I was looking forward to the Yagna on the banks of Maa Ganga. We did > have a general Yagna in March in Lalita Ghat. Lalita ghat is named > after the temple of Maa Lalita Tripurasundari located nearby. It is in > the typical Nepali wooden architectural style. > > http://www.asiaexplorers.com/india/lalita_ghat.htm > > You can see the temple in the second photograph. > > Our lodgings were near the Dasaswamedha Ghat. A boat was arranged to > go to the Lalita ghat. We (myself and Swami Vittalanda) preferred to > walk along the Ghats. The boat ride on the Ganges along the entire > stretch of Ghats of Varanasi early in the morning is a must for every > pilgrim. You see the history of India in the different ghats. A sight > to behold. > > Sree Maa and Swamiji arrived by boat. Swamiji chose a place very near > Manikarnika ghat for the yagna. You could see some of the funeral > fires in Manikarnika ghat. What a fantastic backdrop. The atmosphere > was serene and indescribable. I was reciting the Shiv Sahasranamam for > the first time. ( lot of firsts on this retreat). > > You can see some photographs of manikarnika ghat here. > > http://www.asiaexplorers.com/india/manikarnika_ghat.htm > > Our yagna was conducted at the extreme left hand corner of the second > from top photograph. Hope to see some actual photographs posted once > the devotees return home. > > After the Yagna many of us left for Vindhyachal. More about that later. > > Jai MAA !!! > > Sankar > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Dear Sankarji, Please accept our deepest thanks for these posts. For those of us who could not go with Maa and Swamiji this means a lot. We cannot get enough of these accounts and try to imagine what it is like. I am originally from Kolkata too, but have never been to Kashi, and so was trying to imagine what more chaos would be like. I guess all barriers break down in places like that and one comes face to face with oneself. Thank you! Papia , " Sankar Viswanathan " <sankarrukku wrote: > > > Now something about Banares. Banares aka Kasi and Varanasi is the > holiest city for the Hindus. In the words of M.A. Sherring who wrote > about the city in 1868, " It is acknowledged throughout the world as a > core of the Hindu tradition and a seat of ancient learning. It is a > city where where infinity, continuity, the past and present live > together. There are few cities in the world of greater antiquity, and > none that have so uninterruptedly maintained their ancient celebrity > and distinction. " > > " Blessed is Kashi, the city of liberation, adorned by Ganga and the > soothing soul-saving maiden of a river, the Manikarnika. " - Adi > Sankaracharya. > > The present city is not very old. It lies along the bank of the river > Ganga. There is a long line of ghats (a series of steps leading down > to the river). You could read up something about the city here. > > http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa041201d.htm > > Now for the visitor old Banares is a maze of small lanes dotted with > temples. Many of us were staying in old Banares. Devi Mandir was in > the newer part of the city. The first time you land in Banares, the > only word which comes to your mind is " chaos " . If this is the feeling > of an Indian saying in Kolkata, you can imagine the feeling of the > visitor who has come to India for the first time. To add to to the > confusion there are security personnel all over the place. > > The temples of Lord Viswanath and Maa Annapurna are situated right in > the middle of the maze of the lanes. Though they were not far from our > lodgings, we could never agree on the shortest way to the temples. > > > Day 2 - 08/11/2008 > > Chandi Path recitation at the Annapurna temple in the morning. Though > I am familiar with Chandi Patah, this was the first time I was > reciting it with the Devi Mandir group. It took me some time to get > used to the rhythm. I caught on only in the second chapter. It is > always great to recite Chandi Patah and doing it with Swamiji was a > wonderful experience. > > Some of us had Dharshan of Lord Viswanath later. Both these temples > are situated close together. > > Kirtan at Devi Mandir in the evening. The Tiwari brothers had come > from Howrah, Kolkata. One of them who is a singer of repute has > composed songs on Sree Maa and Swamiji. He sang his compositions and > other kirtans accompanied by his brother on the tabla. > > Then Sree Maa started singing and we were lost in the ocean of devotion. > > Day 3 -09/11/2008 > > I was looking forward to the Yagna on the banks of Maa Ganga. We did > have a general Yagna in March in Lalita Ghat. Lalita ghat is named > after the temple of Maa Lalita Tripurasundari located nearby. It is in > the typical Nepali wooden architectural style. > > http://www.asiaexplorers.com/india/lalita_ghat.htm > > You can see the temple in the second photograph. > > Our lodgings were near the Dasaswamedha Ghat. A boat was arranged to > go to the Lalita ghat. We (myself and Swami Vittalanda) preferred to > walk along the Ghats. The boat ride on the Ganges along the entire > stretch of Ghats of Varanasi early in the morning is a must for every > pilgrim. You see the history of India in the different ghats. A sight > to behold. > > Sree Maa and Swamiji arrived by boat. Swamiji chose a place very near > Manikarnika ghat for the yagna. You could see some of the funeral > fires in Manikarnika ghat. What a fantastic backdrop. The atmosphere > was serene and indescribable. I was reciting the Shiv Sahasranamam for > the first time. ( lot of firsts on this retreat). > > You can see some photographs of manikarnika ghat here. > > http://www.asiaexplorers.com/india/manikarnika_ghat.htm > > Our yagna was conducted at the extreme left hand corner of the second > from top photograph. Hope to see some actual photographs posted once > the devotees return home. > > After the Yagna many of us left for Vindhyachal. More about that later. > > Jai MAA !!! > > Sankar > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.