Since the ancient times, it has been the practice of Hindu kings to assiduously follow the tenets as laid down in the Shilpa Shastra while building forts, palaces, mansions, temples and dharmashalas. Traditionally, these grand structures were built along river banks, seashores or lakes to observe the obligatory rites and rituals of the Hindu scriptures. ... Continue Reading →
History of the Prachin Shiv Mandir at Agra – Part I (The Myth of the Taj Mahal)
Lazy and uninformed "historians" of Indian (commissioned by the British Raj) and British origin have done an outstanding job for over three centuries to whitewash our glorious Hindu heritage and relegate the contributions of our valorous Hindu kings to obscurity. A concerted effort to prevent one from learning about Hinduism, the oldest civilization in the... Continue Reading →
Kapil Muni Ashram, Kampil, Kaimganj Tehsil, Farrukhabad District, Uttar Pradesh
Though Kampilya Nagar has always been one of the holiest places in Akhanda Bharat since the ancient times, it grew in stature and prominence in the Dwapura Yuga. The Panchala Kingdom reached its zenith in the Mahabharat Period and the birth of both Dhrishtadyumna and Divya Janani Draupadi is undisputedly its most glorious chapter. According... Continue Reading →
Kaleshwar Nath Mandir, Kampil, Kaimganj Tehsil, Farrukhabad District, Uttar Pradesh
Kampilya Nagar is an extraordinary heritage city dotted with Vedic Period temples and religious structures. This ancient city was coveted by successive Muslim invaders from the 10th century for its precious stones, jewels, gold and grand temples. The city owes its glorious name to the Panchala Kingdom and specifically Raja Drupad and Divya Janani Draupadi.... Continue Reading →
Rameshwar Nath Mandir, Kampil, Kaimganj Tehsil, Farrukhabad District, Uttar Pradesh
Kampilya Nagar, a treasure trove of Vedic learning and literature is one of the rarest tirthasthalas of Akhanda Bharat that still has fragments of its glorious past from the ancient times. Archaeological excavations conducted over the years have unearthed forts, palaces, pottery, coins, sculptures and others belonging to various periods. Temples of the Satya Yuga, Treta... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part VII (Conclusion)
अयोध्या मथुरा माया काशी काञ्ची अवन्तिका । पुरी द्वारावती चैव सप्तैते मोक्षदायकाः॥ Kashi, a name that evokes a multitude of emotions ranging from bliss, joy, ecstasy, love and relief is the city that promises liberation. Since the dawn of time, Kashi has been considered to be the centre of learning, knowledge, wisdom and Advaita. Sages,... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part VI (Contribution by the Marathas)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1666 had taken refuge in the ancient city of Benares after his miraculous escape from captivity. He was most distressed on seeing the fear in the eyes of Hindus who had suffered immensely in the hands of the Mughals. Even though Raje desired to rebuild Kashi after the horrific desecration in... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part V (Atrocities and bloodbath by Aurangzeb)
Aurangzeb seized absolute control of the throne in 1661 after murdering Dara Shikoh, instigating the execution of Shah Shuja in the hands of local rulers of Burma, executing his younger brother Murad Bakhsh in jail and imprisoning his father, Shah Jahan. Memoirs and court records graphically describe his fanaticism and deep roots in Islamic... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part IV (Plunder and destruction by the Mughals)
It is difficult to ascertain the extent of damage inflicted by the Delhi Sultanate, but a fair number of mosques and tombs built on the sites of temples during this period using the stones of the temples demolished are still visible in the city. It has been documented that Razia Sultana had built a mosque... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part III (Trail of destruction by the Delhi Sultanate)
The second attack by the Muslim invader Qutb al-Din Aibak in 1197 - 98 effectively ended the golden period of the Gahadavalas and established a violent intolerant Muslim rule that was determined to destroy every trace of the glorious heritage of Kashi. Kashi, a city that has existed since the dawn of creation grew in... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part II
The stature of Benares as the seat of learning, knowledge and wisdom grew under the patronage of the Maukharis of Kannauj, Gurjara-Pratiharas and the mighty Kalachuris towards the end of the 10th century. The period of the Kalachuris is often referred to as the golden era in the city's history marked with the construction... Continue Reading →
History of Banaras – Part I
Banaras, the golden city of knowledge, wisdom, spirituality and Advaita, has from the ancient times been considered to be one of the most sacrosanct places of Akhanda Bharat. This glorious city has a rich history that can be traced back to the time of creation. Archaeological excavations have uncovered rare artefacts from the Vedic Period... Continue Reading →
Takshakeshwar Nath Mandir, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Takshakeshwar Nath Mandir situated on the bank of the Yamuna River is one of the oldest temples in Prayagraj. The temple is believed to be at least 5000 years old if not more and historical and archaeological evidence found at the site suggests that this temple has been in existence since the ancient times. ... Continue Reading →
Samudra Koop, Ulta Qila, Jhusi, Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh
Samudra Koop that literally translates to ocean well is one of the most sacrosanct tirths of Prayagraj. Located in the archaeologically important town of Jhusi, this ancient well was established during the reign of the Chandravamsa dynasty (Lunar dynasty) roughly around 7100 BCE. Jhusi used to be known as Pratisthan Pur during the reign of... Continue Reading →
Nag Vasuki Temple, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Nag Vasuki, an ancient temple located on the bank of the holy Ganges to the north of the sacrosanct Triveni Sangam draws lakhs of devotees on the auspicious Kumbh, Ardha Kumba, Magha Mela, Naga Panchami and the month of Shravan. A trip to Prayagraj is deemed complete and successful only if a pilgrim has a dip in the... Continue Reading →
Bharadwaj Ashram, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
The ancient city of Prayagraj is revered for its spiritual potency, deep connection to Maryada Purushottam Rama and the Ramayana and the repository of knowledge and wisdom, Bharadwaja Brahmarshi. Bharadwaja Brahmarshi, one of the Sapta Rishis of Kali Yuga (the others are Kasyapa, Atri, Vishwamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Vashistha) is venerated by scholars and those well-versed in the... Continue Reading →
Kashikhanda: Panchkroshi Yatra: Kapildhara Temple (Kapileshwar Mahadev Mandir), Kapildhara, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
The fifth and final paṛāva (halt) of the divine Kashi Panchkroshi Yatra is the Kapildhara Temple also known as Kapileshwar Mahadev Mandir. After offering prayers at Kardameshwar Mahadev Mandir, Bhimchandi Mandir, Rameshwar Mandir and Shivpur Mandir, devotees take a dip in the three ancient ponds of Sona Talab, Saranga Talab and Kapildhara Talab that are at the final... Continue Reading →
Kashikhanda: Panchkroshi Yatra: Shivpur Temple, Shivpur Village, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
The fourth paṛāva (halt) of the sacrosanct Kashi Panchkroshi Yatra is the Pancho Pandava Mandir (Pancha Pandeshwar Mandir) located in the bustling Shivpur village. After having darshan at Kardameshwar Mahadev Mandir, Bhimchandi Mandir and Rameshwar Mandir, pilgrims head to Draupadi Kund that is located near a huge tank known as Manasarovar tirth. According to the... Continue Reading →
Kashikhanda: Panchkroshi Yatra: Rameshwar Mandir, Rameshwar Village, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
The next stop on the sacrosanct Kashi Panchkroshi Yatra after Kardameshwar Mahadev Mandir and Bhimchandi Mandir is the ancient Rameshwar Mandir situated on the bank of the Varuna River in Rameshwar village. This temple of great antiquity is considered by many to be the most important kshetra or tirthasthala in the Panchkroshi Yatra. According to the Kashi Khanda... Continue Reading →
Kashikhanda: Panchkroshi Yatra: Bhimchandi Mandir, Bhimchandi Village, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
The Kashi Panchkroshi Yatra is considered to be one of the oldest pilgrimage routes of the world. According to the Hindu scriptures, Lord Rama along with Sita Mata and his brothers had visited the important tirthsthalas on this ancient route to liberate his father Raja Dasharatha from the curse of the parents of Shravana Kumar (Putrashoka).... Continue Reading →
sahasa.in 