Kashi Yatra
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Kashi Yatra (Sanskrit: काशीयात्रा, romanized: Kāśīyātrā, lit. 'Pilgrimage to Kashi') refers to the yatra (pilgrimage) to the city of Kashi (Varanasi) in Hinduism.[1] Regarded to be among the holiest of cities in Hinduism, pilgrims undertake a journey to this city due to the belief that it would allow them to achieve mukti (salvation). The significance of this pilgrimage is explained in the Skanda Purana.[2] Kashi is referred to as an important tirtha (holy site) in Hindu literature, with the Kashi Vishwanath temple of the city considered to be among the most sacred sites dedicated to the deity Shiva.[3]
It also refers to a name of a ceremony during a Hindu wedding: A bridegroom expresses the desire to become an ascetic and undertake a pilgrimage to Kashi, carrying slippers, an umbrella, a bamboo fan, and other objects that may vary according to regional traditions. While he walks away from the wedding mandapa, the bride's father persuades the bridegroom to return, and marry his daughter.[4]
Circuits[edit]
There are a number of routes or circuits that pilgrims may choose to undertake in the city within the Kashi Yatra:[5][6]
- Panchakroshi Yatra[7]
- Jala Tirtha Yatra[8]
- Shivayatan Yatra
- Antargrihi Yatra[9]
- Gauri Yatra
- Durga Devi Yatra
- Ekadasha Maharudra Yatra
- Navagraha Yatra
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (25 May 2018). "Kashiyatra, Kāśīyātrā, Kashi-yatra: 2 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Butler, Richard; Suntikul, Wantanee (30 January 2018). Tourism and Religion: Issues and Implications. Channel View Publications. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-84541-647-8.
- ^ Jha, Makhan (1998). India and Nepal: Sacred Centres and Anthropological Researches. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 978-81-7533-081-8.
- ^ Ratra, Amiteshwar (2006). Marriage and Family: In Diverse and Changing Scenario. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 191. ISBN 978-81-7629-758-5.
- ^ Bandarin, Francesco; Oers, Ron van (15 December 2014). Reconnecting the City: The Historic Urban Landscape Approach and the Future of Urban Heritage. John Wiley & Sons. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-118-38398-8.
- ^ Dodson, Michael S. (31 January 2021). Banaras: Urban Forms and Cultural Histories. Taylor & Francis. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-000-36564-1.
- ^ Silva, Kapila (23 December 2019). The Routledge Handbook on Historic Urban Landscapes in the Asia-Pacific. Routledge. p. 339. ISBN 978-0-429-94307-2.
- ^ Singh, Rana (2 October 2009). Banaras: Making of India's Heritage City. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 230. ISBN 978-1-4438-1579-6.
- ^ Vidyarthi, Lalita Prasad; Jha, Makhan; Saraswati, Baidyanath (1979). The Sacred Complex of Kashi: A Microcosm of Indian Civilization. Concept Publishing Company. p. 77.
External links[edit]
- District Varanasi Official Website – Official website of Varanasi District.