I forgot to mention one important thing in my previous blog. Traditionally, the temple tour begins with a visit to the Dhundi Ganapathy temple. This temple is on way to the Viswanathar temple. Though it is a small temple on the road side, is actually an important one.
“Vakra Thunda Mahakaya, Surya Kodi Samaprabhaha
Avignam Gurume Devo Sarva Karyeshu Sarvathaha.”
We paid our respects to Lord Ganesha while standing in queue to enter Viswanathar temple. After our prayers to Lord Viswanathar for more than one hour, we went to Anna Poorani Temple.
Anna Poorani Temple: Food is one of the basic necessities of life and it is no won
der that we treat food as God. It is always mother, who provides food, right from birth and it is no surprise that Lord Parvati is being viewed as Anna Poorani who provides food as she is Jaganmata.
It is believed that Anna Poorani gave alms to Lord Shiva and she is depicted with a bowl in hand and ladle in the other, serving food to Lord Shiva. It is also firmly believed that Anna Poorani has stayed permanently in Kasi after she saw the drought in this place.
Anna Poorani is flanked on the left by Sridevi (Lakshmi) and on the right by Bhuma Devi (Goddess of earth). The specialty of this temple is the food which is prepared, is served first to devotees and then offered to Anna Poorani. The belief is that Amma always serves first the children (Devotees) and then only she takes it.
Visalakshi Temple: If you think about Kanchipuram, you will remember Kamakshi. Of course, Silk sarees can also cross one’s mind. But that is not what I am trying to drive upon. Similarly, when you remember Madurai, you think Meenakshi Amman. On the same lines, Visalakshi is to Kasi. Visalakshi temple is one of 51 Sakthi peedams. Though the temple is small, the idol is quite beautiful. Behind the main idol, there is one more idol which is believed to be prayed to in the ancient times.
As I had mentioned earlier, this temple was also in the receiving end during several invasions. Adi Shankaracharya, during his visit, performed prayers to renew the powers of the temple and the Godess. He had installed a Sri Yantram in this temple for which a daily Pooja is performed even now.
Kasi Viswanathar, Annapoorani and Visalakshi temples are very near to each other and are located in narrow lanes.
More temples to follow…….
“Vakra Thunda Mahakaya, Surya Kodi Samaprabhaha
Avignam Gurume Devo Sarva Karyeshu Sarvathaha.”
We paid our respects to Lord Ganesha while standing in queue to enter Viswanathar temple. After our prayers to Lord Viswanathar for more than one hour, we went to Anna Poorani Temple.
Anna Poorani Temple: Food is one of the basic necessities of life and it is no won
der that we treat food as God. It is always mother, who provides food, right from birth and it is no surprise that Lord Parvati is being viewed as Anna Poorani who provides food as she is Jaganmata.It is believed that Anna Poorani gave alms to Lord Shiva and she is depicted with a bowl in hand and ladle in the other, serving food to Lord Shiva. It is also firmly believed that Anna Poorani has stayed permanently in Kasi after she saw the drought in this place.
Anna Poorani is flanked on the left by Sridevi (Lakshmi) and on the right by Bhuma Devi (Goddess of earth). The specialty of this temple is the food which is prepared, is served first to devotees and then offered to Anna Poorani. The belief is that Amma always serves first the children (Devotees) and then only she takes it.
Visalakshi Temple: If you think about Kanchipuram, you will remember Kamakshi. Of course, Silk sarees can also cross one’s mind. But that is not what I am trying to drive upon. Similarly, when you remember Madurai, you think Meenakshi Amman. On the same lines, Visalakshi is to Kasi. Visalakshi temple is one of 51 Sakthi peedams. Though the temple is small, the idol is quite beautiful. Behind the main idol, there is one more idol which is believed to be prayed to in the ancient times.
As I had mentioned earlier, this temple was also in the receiving end during several invasions. Adi Shankaracharya, during his visit, performed prayers to renew the powers of the temple and the Godess. He had installed a Sri Yantram in this temple for which a daily Pooja is performed even now.
Kasi Viswanathar, Annapoorani and Visalakshi temples are very near to each other and are located in narrow lanes.
More temples to follow…….
1 comment:
The topic 'Kasi Yathirai' is traditional and spiritualistic. The way it has been handled shows some pen feel experience. It remembered me during my stay at the holy place. Events were coined so nice that all the 5 parts made us look for the next one. Excellent effort. As a fellow blogger, I learned some tricks in presenting still-life events in a Blog.
In the event of Varanasi being declared as a 'Heritage City' shortly by UNESCO, I request you to initiate an awareness blog campaign against the pollution in the banks of the Holy river Ganges at Benares.
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