A pilgrimage to Allahabad & Varanasi

On a long week end in 29 Mar 18 scheduled our visit to Allahabad and Varanasi. Our train reached Allahabad early morning. First day we proceeded to Anand Bhavan. Anand Bhavan is a historic house museum focusing on the Nehru Family. It was constructed by Motilal Nehru in 1930s to serve as the residence of Nehru family. Here we saw rare photographs of Nehru’s family and snaps of pre-independence activities.    Jawahar Planetarium is  also located here.

Next day we proceeded to Triveni Sangam to have a holy dip. Here three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati mingles.

A place of religious importance and the site for historic Kumbh Mela  held every 12 years, over the years it has also been the site of immersion of ashes of several national leaders, including Mahatama Gandhi in 1948. After the holy dip at the Sangam, we visited Hanuman temple and very Adi Shankracharya temple.

Hanuman Mandir, Allahabad is a unique temple situated near the Allahabad Fort. Hanuman Temple, Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh in India is famous for being the only temple where Lord Hanuman is seen in a recline posture.

Adi Shankracharya temple is the only temple in Allahabad, built by Shri Kanchi Kamkoti Peeth, in south Indian style of architecture. This magnificent temple is four storeys high and is standing on 16 strong pillars attaining a height of 130 feet. The construction of the temple was started in 1970 but could only be completed in 1986 . At every floor of this temple adobe of different Gods and Goddesses have been constructed. Idols of Sankaracharya, Kamakshi Devi (with 51 Shaktipeetha around), Tirupati Balaji (with 108 Vishnu around), Yogshashtra Sahasrayoga Linga (having 108 Shivas around) are installed in the temple. Inside walls of this temple have paintings of pictures of various scenes of Ramayan in decorated manner. Regular puja in the temple is performed by a group of priests from south India

After our trip to Allahabad we proceeded to Varanasi the holy city. We got rejuvenated over the the very sight of ghats (the place where the pilgrims take bath). We engaged a boat to go to Kasi Viswanath temple.  It was a evening time. The sun was about to set. The whole atmosphere was so serene and divine. While on the boat we could see the entire stretch of the beautiful ghats. It was so mesmerising. We reached the temple after crossing so many narrow lanes. After return from the temple we got an opportunity to witness evening arti of Ganga. It is being conducted daily one hour in the evening at 7.30  pm to 8.30 pm.

Kashi Vishvanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. The main deity is known by the name Vishvanatha  meaning Ruler of The Universe. Varanasi city is also called Kashi, and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishvanath Temple. Taking a holy dip is an important event as the Hindus believe that if you take a holy dip here you will be free from rebirths. We had a holy dip at Tulsi Ghat as well as Dashashwamedh Ghat. 

We also visited Banares Hindu University to have a darshan of  Kasi Viswanath Temple inside the campus. The temple is so serene and very peaceful.

Next day we  visited the famous Durga mandir, Kamkya Mandir. Though both are small temples, I surprised over large devotees thronging these temples.

We also visited Sarnath, located just 12 km from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, is the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage.After his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath seeking his five former companions. He found them, taught them what he had learned, and they also became enlightened. This event is referred to as “the turning of the wheel of the Dharma”. When we were walking around various Budhha temples here, we felt mental peace. That is the influence of Lord Buddha.