"Varanasi is older than history, tradition, and even the legend and looks twice older than all of them put together."
This is a writer by Mark Twain described this unique town, situated on the banks of the River Gang, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and transmitted from the site of National Geographic Serbia.
Its history goes back far into the past. It was first mentioned in the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, and the earliest archaeological evidence suggests that the settlement in this area began in the XI or XII century BC, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. Rightly considered to Varanasi is one of the most spiritual and religious centers in India. Indian holy trinity, comprising Brahma (the creator god), Vishnu (the god guardian) and Shiva (the god of destruction and transformation), has a very important place in Hinduism, but in the spiritual and religious significance of the Varanasi. Indian legend says that Brahma ignored Shiva as the supreme god, and considered himself to be the sole creator of the universe, at the same time demanding from Vishnu to worship him. Shiva was furious about it and had cut one of the five heads of Brahma.
Having committed the greatest sin - murder Braman, was doomed to wander all over the India with Brahma's skull strapped to his hand, until he reached the place of today's Varanasi, where the skull finally fell off his hands, and he became free from their sins. Therefore, the city is popularly known as the City of God Shiva, who considered its founder, and therefore all followers of Hinduism are hoping that at least once in their life visit this city, do a holy dip in the river and when their time comes, here and die. It represents to them a very special religious act. The bonds they feel with gray, equating to his sins and the belief in getting rid of all sins, death in Varanasi for these people is a guarantee for the bliss of heaven, shortcuts in the eternal cycle of birth and death.
Very important link between the transition from this to the next life are the Brahmin priests, who read out verses Garuda Purana (holy scriptures of India), which is usually read during the ritual cremation of the deceased, and thus accelerate the whole process of transition from one life to another and achieve moksha, or salvation.
Braman, as members of the highest caste, are in the majority Varanasi. Spiritual purity maintain the respect of various strict rules, many of which relate to food and contact with members of lower castes. They are mostly vegetarians. Sell silk Brahmin circles is one of the main trading activities. Members of the highest and most respected caste always gave priests, poets, scholars and policy makers, occupied prominent positions and enjoyed a great religious reputation, which even today has not changed.
In his majesty Varanasi leaves no one indifferent, to the pilgrims who arrive daily from all parts of India, and namernike from around the world.
The traveler that there befall soon be swamped in the mass of people, but also animals that roam freely. Dirt, trash and clutter are universal and completely incomprehensible man of organized western society. Varanasi is a medieval city - a bustling and disturbing, the place where the intertwined extremes. Intersected by a very narrow streets and passerby soon feels like she's in some kind of labyrinth. When you finally succeed to get out of a swarm of people came to the river, he becomes aware of the full environmental changes. Pilgrims from all parts of India there are bathing and praying under the watchful eye bramanskih priest. View of the river Varanasi enchants and radiates some inexplicable peace.
The city expressed the paradox, the most sacred in India and has played a major role in the history of the development of Indian civilization. As a religious and cultural center, because of its long history could be compared with Rome. And because it is a sublime place of pilgrimage and idealized center of faith, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jerusalem and Mecca. From it encouraged large poets, writers and philosophers, whose works contributed to the enrichment of Indian civilization.
Death is always present in Varanasi. At any time you can come across a group of people carrying the covered body on a stretcher and over again: "Ram satya hai us," which means "The name of God is Truth." Upon arrival at the place of cremation and after the last swim in the river Gang body of the deceased is laid on a wooden pyre which fell eldest son, while the other male relatives are viewed as the dead material body again decomposed into the elements from which it was created.
Who dies in this city takes note of the god Shiva himself becomes what is the Hindu belief called Absolute Consciousness. Therefore, death in Varanasi is a privilege. Cremation performed without a break at any time of day or night. Daily burn and 200 bodies. Unlike other cities in India where the place of cremation is hidden in Varanasi cremation is done on the bank of the river, in the sight of all. Making sure that ritual cremation goes smoothly run by people who are due to direct contact with the dead members of the lowest caste, almost, but that is also highly respected in the city.
In Varanasi you can see everything that India has to offer. This city that seems to be standing on the edge of time and puts an invisible but present clamp the ancient and modern world, spreading almost palpable vibration unstoppable cycle of birth and death, never ceases to fascinate with her boundless energy. It is a city of light and dark, morality and corruption, peace and violence, all of contrasts which captivates its visitors.
This is a writer by Mark Twain described this unique town, situated on the banks of the River Gang, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and transmitted from the site of National Geographic Serbia.
Its history goes back far into the past. It was first mentioned in the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, and the earliest archaeological evidence suggests that the settlement in this area began in the XI or XII century BC, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. Rightly considered to Varanasi is one of the most spiritual and religious centers in India. Indian holy trinity, comprising Brahma (the creator god), Vishnu (the god guardian) and Shiva (the god of destruction and transformation), has a very important place in Hinduism, but in the spiritual and religious significance of the Varanasi. Indian legend says that Brahma ignored Shiva as the supreme god, and considered himself to be the sole creator of the universe, at the same time demanding from Vishnu to worship him. Shiva was furious about it and had cut one of the five heads of Brahma.
Having committed the greatest sin - murder Braman, was doomed to wander all over the India with Brahma's skull strapped to his hand, until he reached the place of today's Varanasi, where the skull finally fell off his hands, and he became free from their sins. Therefore, the city is popularly known as the City of God Shiva, who considered its founder, and therefore all followers of Hinduism are hoping that at least once in their life visit this city, do a holy dip in the river and when their time comes, here and die. It represents to them a very special religious act. The bonds they feel with gray, equating to his sins and the belief in getting rid of all sins, death in Varanasi for these people is a guarantee for the bliss of heaven, shortcuts in the eternal cycle of birth and death.
Very important link between the transition from this to the next life are the Brahmin priests, who read out verses Garuda Purana (holy scriptures of India), which is usually read during the ritual cremation of the deceased, and thus accelerate the whole process of transition from one life to another and achieve moksha, or salvation.
Braman, as members of the highest caste, are in the majority Varanasi. Spiritual purity maintain the respect of various strict rules, many of which relate to food and contact with members of lower castes. They are mostly vegetarians. Sell silk Brahmin circles is one of the main trading activities. Members of the highest and most respected caste always gave priests, poets, scholars and policy makers, occupied prominent positions and enjoyed a great religious reputation, which even today has not changed.
In his majesty Varanasi leaves no one indifferent, to the pilgrims who arrive daily from all parts of India, and namernike from around the world.
The traveler that there befall soon be swamped in the mass of people, but also animals that roam freely. Dirt, trash and clutter are universal and completely incomprehensible man of organized western society. Varanasi is a medieval city - a bustling and disturbing, the place where the intertwined extremes. Intersected by a very narrow streets and passerby soon feels like she's in some kind of labyrinth. When you finally succeed to get out of a swarm of people came to the river, he becomes aware of the full environmental changes. Pilgrims from all parts of India there are bathing and praying under the watchful eye bramanskih priest. View of the river Varanasi enchants and radiates some inexplicable peace.
The city expressed the paradox, the most sacred in India and has played a major role in the history of the development of Indian civilization. As a religious and cultural center, because of its long history could be compared with Rome. And because it is a sublime place of pilgrimage and idealized center of faith, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jerusalem and Mecca. From it encouraged large poets, writers and philosophers, whose works contributed to the enrichment of Indian civilization.
Death is always present in Varanasi. At any time you can come across a group of people carrying the covered body on a stretcher and over again: "Ram satya hai us," which means "The name of God is Truth." Upon arrival at the place of cremation and after the last swim in the river Gang body of the deceased is laid on a wooden pyre which fell eldest son, while the other male relatives are viewed as the dead material body again decomposed into the elements from which it was created.
Who dies in this city takes note of the god Shiva himself becomes what is the Hindu belief called Absolute Consciousness. Therefore, death in Varanasi is a privilege. Cremation performed without a break at any time of day or night. Daily burn and 200 bodies. Unlike other cities in India where the place of cremation is hidden in Varanasi cremation is done on the bank of the river, in the sight of all. Making sure that ritual cremation goes smoothly run by people who are due to direct contact with the dead members of the lowest caste, almost, but that is also highly respected in the city.
In Varanasi you can see everything that India has to offer. This city that seems to be standing on the edge of time and puts an invisible but present clamp the ancient and modern world, spreading almost palpable vibration unstoppable cycle of birth and death, never ceases to fascinate with her boundless energy. It is a city of light and dark, morality and corruption, peace and violence, all of contrasts which captivates its visitors.
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