Why Varanasi Is Called the City of Lord Shiva: The Eternal Abode of Moksha
Introduction: The Oldest Living City on Earth
In the heart of India, where the sacred Ganga flows with timeless grace, lies Varanasi—a city that defies the very concept of time. Known by many names—Kashi, Banaras, Avimuktam—this ancient metropolis is not merely a place on a map but a divine realm where heaven meets earth. For millions of devotees, Varanasi is the eternal abode of Lord Shiva, the city where moksha (liberation) is not just promised but guaranteed.
But why is Varanasi so intrinsically connected to Lord Shiva? What makes this city the holiest of holy places in Hinduism? The answers lie deep within ancient scriptures, mystical legends, and the very fabric of cosmic existence.
The Sacred Geography: Ananda Vanam—The Forest of Bliss
The Mythological Origins
According to the Skanda Purana and Kashi Khanda, Varanasi is not an ordinary earthly city. Before creation itself, when the universe was merely an idea in the cosmic consciousness, Lord Shiva chose a special place to establish his eternal dwelling. This place was called Ananda Vanam (आनन्द वनम्), literally meaning the “Forest of Bliss” or “Garden of Divine Joy.”
The scriptures describe how Lord Shiva, pleased with the divine beauty of this location, declared:
“Anandavanam samastam, ida hi Kashi mama priya”
“This entire forest of bliss is Kashi, beloved to me.”
Unlike other sacred places that emerged during various cosmic epochs, Kashi existed before creation. The Kashi Khanda explicitly states:
“Srishti se pehle Shiv the, Shiv se pehle Kashi tha”
“Before creation, there was Shiva; before Shiva, there was Kashi.”
This profound statement establishes Varanasi as the primordial ground, the original point from which all existence emanated.
Avimuktam: The Never-Forsaken City
One of Varanasi’s most significant names is Avimuktam (अविमुक्तम्), meaning “the never-forsaken” or “the place Shiva never abandons.” The Shiva Purana narrates that even during the great cosmic dissolution (pralaya), when the entire universe is destroyed and submerged in the cosmic ocean, Lord Shiva holds Kashi upon his trident, protecting it from annihilation.
The Skanda Purana beautifully describes:
“Pralaye’pi na muchyate Shambhuna Kashi, tasmad Avimuktam iti kathyate”
“Even during dissolution, Kashi is not abandoned by Shambhu (Shiva), therefore it is called Avimuktam.”
This divine promise makes Varanasi unique among all pilgrimage sites. While other holy places may lose their sanctity or be destroyed by time and calamity, Kashi remains eternal, forever under Shiva’s protection.
The Legendary Connection: Why Shiva Chose Varanasi
The Story of the Luminous Pillar (Jyotirlinga)
The connection between Lord Shiva and Varanasi is intimately tied to the famous legend of the endless pillar of light. According to the Shiva Purana, once Brahma and Vishnu argued about who was supreme. To settle the dispute, a massive pillar of blazing light appeared—the original Jyotirlinga.
Brahma took the form of a swan and flew upward to find its top, while Vishnu became a boar and burrowed downward to find its base. Both failed in their quest. When they humbly accepted their limitations, Lord Shiva appeared from within the pillar and revealed:
“I am the beginning, the middle, and the end. I am beyond comprehension, and Kashi is my heart.”
While there are twelve Jyotirlingas across India, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple holds special significance as it represents Shiva’s original divine presence—the place where he chose to reside permanently among humans.
The Panchakroshi Pilgrimage: Walking the Divine Boundaries
Lord Shiva established the sacred boundaries of Kashi through the Panchakroshi Yatra—a 56-kilometer pilgrimage circuit around the city. The Kashi Khanda describes how Shiva himself walked this path, marking the area that would remain under his eternal protection.
Within this sacred mandala, five kilometers in radius, Shiva promised:
“Yo marishyati Kashyam tu, sa moksha-bhag bhavishyati”
“Whoever dies in Kashi shall attain liberation.”
This extraordinary guarantee of moksha is unparalleled in Hindu theology. While other holy places require years of penance, ritual perfection, or accumulated merit, Varanasi offers liberation simply by breathing one’s last breath within its sacred boundaries.
The Mystical Promise: The Taraka Mantra
Shiva’s Personal Intervention at Death
What makes Varanasi truly unique is the legend of the Taraka Mantra—the liberating whisper. The Kashi Khanda reveals that Lord Shiva personally appears at the deathbed of every person who dies in Kashi. As the soul prepares to leave the body, Shiva whispers the sacred Taraka Mantra in their right ear:
“Ram Ram Satyanam, Tarakam Brahma nishchitam”
“Ram is the truth, this mantra is surely the liberator, the path to Brahman.”
This divine intervention breaks all karmic bonds. No matter how sinful or virtuous the person’s life, no matter their caste, creed, or spiritual preparation, this sacred whisper grants instant moksha—liberation from the endless cycle of birth and death.
The Skanda Purana confirms:
“Kashyam maranam mukti-siddham, Tarakam mantram dadati Shankarah”
“Death in Kashi grants liberation, as Shankara (Shiva) gives the liberating mantra.”
Why Only Kashi?
Many wonder why this extraordinary gift is limited to Varanasi. The scriptures explain that Kashi exists on a different plane of existence. While its streets, temples, and ghats appear physical, Kashi is actually Shiva’s body manifested as geography. Walking in Kashi is walking within Shiva himself.
The Kashi Rahasya (Secret of Kashi) in the Skanda Purana states:
“Kashyam hi Kailasam, Ganga Akasha-Ganga eva, atra sthitvaa na punar-aavartate”
“Kashi is indeed Kailash, the Ganga here is the celestial Ganga itself; residing here, one never returns (to rebirth).”
Kashi Vishwanath Temple: The Crown Jewel of Devotion
The Lord of the Universe Resides Here
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, housing the revered Jyotirlinga, stands as the spiritual nucleus of Varanasi. The name “Vishwanath” means “Lord of the Universe,” and the temple represents the cosmic throne where Shiva rules over all existence.
The Jyotirlinga here is described in the Shiva Purana as:
“Kashyam Vishveshvaram natva, sarva-papa-vinirmuktah”
“Bowing to Vishveshvara (Vishwanath) in Kashi, one is freed from all sins.”
Historical Devotion Through the Ages
The temple’s history spans millennia, destroyed and rebuilt several times by invasive forces, yet always resurrected by devoted believers. The current structure, rebuilt in 1780 by Ahilyabai Holkar, stands as a testament to the unbreakable faith of millions.
Ancient poets and saints have sung its glories. Adi Shankaracharya composed hymns describing Kashi as the ultimate destination:
“Kashi-kshetra-nivaasena, punya-paapaih pramuchyate”
“By residing in the sacred field of Kashi, one is released from merit and sin alike.”
Even Tulsidas, author of the Ramcharitmanas, wrote:
“Kashi majha param priya dhama, sakal suddh hohin tahaan na kama”
“Kashi is my supremely beloved abode; there all become pure, free from desire.”
The Sacred Ganga: Shiva’s Divine Consort
The Descent From Shiva’s Locks
The presence of the Ganga River in Varanasi adds another dimension to its sanctity. According to the Shiva Purana, when Ganga descended from heaven, her tremendous force would have shattered the earth. To protect creation, Lord Shiva caught her in his matted locks, allowing her to flow gently to earth.
In Varanasi, the Ganga is not just a river but Shiva’s consort in liquid form, flowing through the city to purify all who bathe in her waters. The Kashi Khanda declares:
“Gangayam Kashi-kshetram ca, ubhayam moksha-dayakam”
“The Ganga and the field of Kashi—both bestow liberation.”
The Purifying Power of the Ghats
The 88 ghats (river steps) of Varanasi are not mere bathing platforms but sacred thresholds between the material and spiritual worlds. The most famous among them—Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, and Harishchandra Ghat—are mentioned in ancient texts as places where heaven and earth merge.
Manikarnika Ghat, the primary cremation ground, is where Shiva’s earring (manikarnika) fell, creating a sacred kund (pool). The Garuda Purana states:
“Manikarnikayam tu ye dahyante, te vishanti Shiva-lokam”
“Those cremated at Manikarnika enter Shiva’s abode.”
Living in Kashi: A Daily Communion with the Divine
Every Act Becomes Worship
The scriptures describe Varanasi as a place where ordinary life transforms into spiritual practice. The Kashi Khanda says:
“Kashyam vasati yo nityam, sa nitya-pujako hareh”
“One who lives in Kashi constantly is a perpetual worshipper of Hari (the Divine).”
Walking through Kashi’s narrow lanes, eating simple food, sleeping under its sky—every mundane activity becomes charged with spiritual significance because it occurs within Shiva’s living presence.
The Spiritual Atmosphere
Saints and mystics throughout history have testified to Kashi’s unique spiritual atmosphere. The poet-saint Kabir, who lived and died in Varanasi, wrote:
“Moko kahan dhundo re bande, main to tere paas mein”
“Where do you search for me, O seeker? I am right beside you (in Kashi).”
The air itself seems saturated with mantras, the stones echo with centuries of devotion, and the very ground radiates the presence of the divine.
Scientific and Philosophical Perspectives
The Energy Vortex Theory
While ancient scriptures describe Varanasi’s spiritual power in devotional language, some modern researchers have noted unusual characteristics of the location. The city’s geographical position, the confluence of energy lines (similar to ley lines in Western traditions), and the specific curvature of the Ganga have led some to theorize that Varanasi sits on a powerful natural energy vortex.
The Psychology of Sacred Space
From a philosophical perspective, Varanasi serves as humanity’s collective reminder of mortality and transcendence. The constant presence of death (through cremations) alongside vibrant life creates a unique psychological environment where the illusory nature of material existence becomes viscerally apparent.
The Katha Upanishad, though not specifically about Kashi, echoes its wisdom:
“Nachiketa realized in sacred ground: This body dies, but the Self is eternal”
Varanasi embodies this realization in physical form.
The Modern Pilgrimage: Seeking Moksha Today
An Unbroken Tradition
Despite modernization, technological advancement, and social change, Varanasi continues to draw millions of pilgrims seeking spiritual fulfillment. The tradition of bringing the dying to Kashi, purchasing property there for final days, and performing elaborate death rituals continues unabated.
Families still bring the ashes of loved ones from around the world to immerse them in the Ganga at Varanasi, believing it ensures their liberation. The Moksha Bhawan (Liberation House) near Manikarnika Ghat provides accommodation for those who come to die in Kashi, fulfilling the ancient scriptural promise.
The Universal Appeal
While rooted in Hindu theology, Varanasi’s message transcends religious boundaries. Buddhist pilgrims visit because Buddha gave his first sermon nearby at Sarnath. Jain tradition honors Varanasi as the birthplace of several Tirthankaras. Sikhs revere it as the place where Guru Nanak met Kabir.
The city reminds all seekers that death is not the end but a doorway, and that liberation is possible for every soul.
Conclusion: The Eternal Promise
Varanasi is called the City of Lord Shiva because it is more than a city—it is Shiva’s eternal dwelling, his gift to humanity, his promise of liberation. The scriptures are unanimous in declaring that Kashi is Shiva’s heart manifested as geography, a place where the boundary between mortal and immortal dissolves.
The Skanda Purana concludes with this magnificent assurance:
“Kashyam maranam muktih, jeevanam api moksha-dam”
“Death in Kashi is liberation; even living there grants moksha.”
Whether one accepts these promises literally or metaphorically, Varanasi stands as humanity’s most ancient and continuous meditation on the ultimate questions: Who am I? Where do I come from? Where do I go? And in the lanes of Kashi, amid the temple bells and the flowing Ganga, among the chanting priests and the burning pyres, these questions find their most profound answer: You are eternal consciousness, temporarily embodied, and your true home is the divine itself.
In Kashi, Lord Shiva waits patiently—not to judge, but to welcome every soul back home, back to the bliss from which they came, back to Ananda Vanam, the eternal forest of divine joy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is Varanasi considered the holiest city in Hinduism?
Varanasi is considered the holiest city because it is believed to be the eternal abode of Lord Shiva, existing even before creation. According to scriptures like the Skanda Purana and Shiva Purana, dying in Varanasi guarantees moksha (liberation) regardless of one’s karma, as Shiva himself whispers the liberating Taraka Mantra at the moment of death.
2. What is the story behind the name “Kashi”?
The name Kashi comes from the Sanskrit root “kash,” meaning “to shine.” It represents the city as the “luminous one” or the “city of light,” referring both to spiritual illumination and to Lord Shiva appearing as a pillar of infinite light (Jyotirlinga). In the Kashi Khanda, it’s also connected to “Ananda Vanam,” the forest of bliss that Shiva loved.
3. What is the Taraka Mantra, and how does it grant liberation?
The Taraka Mantra is the sacred whisper that Lord Shiva personally delivers into the right ear of every person who dies in Varanasi. The Kashi Khanda describes it as “Ram Ram Satyanam, Tarakam Brahma nishchitam.” This divine mantra instantly breaks all karmic bonds and grants the soul liberation from the cycle of rebirth, regardless of their past actions.
4. Why is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple so important?
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple houses one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and is considered the spot where Lord Shiva resides permanently on earth. “Vishwanath” means “Lord of the Universe,” signifying Shiva’s cosmic presence. The Shiva Purana states that merely bowing to Vishweshvara in Kashi frees one from all sins.
5. Is it necessary to die in Varanasi to attain moksha?
According to traditional scriptures, dying in Varanasi guarantees moksha, but the texts also suggest that even living in Kashi with devotion brings immense spiritual merit. The Kashi Khanda states: “Death in Kashi is liberation; even living there grants moksha.” However, Hindu philosophy teaches that moksha is ultimately attainable through various paths of devotion, knowledge, and righteous action anywhere.
6. What is the significance of Manikarnika Ghat?
Manikarnika Ghat is the primary cremation ground in Varanasi, where cremation fires burn continuously. Legend says Lord Shiva’s earring (manikarnika) fell here, creating a sacred pool. The Garuda Purana declares that those cremated at Manikarnika directly enter Shiva’s abode. It represents the ultimate convergence of death and liberation.
7. How old is Varanasi really?
Archaeological evidence suggests Varanasi has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years, making it one of the world’s oldest living cities. However, Hindu scriptures claim it existed before creation itself. The Kashi Khanda states: “Before creation there was Shiva; before Shiva there was Kashi,” suggesting a timeless, eternal existence.
8. What is the Panchakroshi Yatra?
The Panchakroshi Yatra is a 56-kilometer pilgrimage circuit around Varanasi that marks the sacred boundaries walked by Lord Shiva himself. The Kashi Khanda describes how Shiva established this perimeter as the area under his eternal protection. Completing this five-day walking pilgrimage is considered highly meritorious and purifies the devotee.
9. Why is the Ganga in Varanasi considered more sacred?
In Varanasi, the Ganga is believed to flow directly from Shiva’s matted locks and is considered his consort in liquid form. The Kashi Khanda states: “The Ganga and the field of Kashi—both bestow liberation.” The river’s crescent bend around the city and its northern flow at this point add to its mystical significance.
10. Can people of any faith benefit from visiting Varanasi?
While Varanasi is primarily a Hindu pilgrimage site, its spiritual atmosphere has attracted seekers from all faiths throughout history. Buddha gave his first sermon at nearby Sarnath, Jain Tirthankaras were born here, and Sikh Guru Nanak visited the city. The underlying message of transcendence and liberation resonates across religious boundaries, though the specific promise of moksha through Shiva’s grace is rooted in Hindu theology.
11. What does “Avimuktam” mean?
Avimuktam means “the never-forsaken” or “the place Shiva never abandons.” The Shiva Purana describes how even during cosmic dissolution (pralaya) when the entire universe is destroyed, Lord Shiva holds Kashi upon his trident, protecting it from annihilation. This makes Varanasi the only location that exists continuously through all cycles of creation and destruction.
12. Is living in Varanasi difficult spiritually or physically?
Living in Varanasi presents both spiritual intensity and physical challenges. The constant proximity to death, the crowded streets, and the intense heat can be difficult. However, scriptures describe this as purifying. The Kashi Khanda suggests that every hardship endured in Kashi burns away karma. Many spiritual seekers report that Varanasi accelerates inner transformation, though it demands surrender and acceptance of life’s impermanence.
May the blessings of Lord Vishwanath guide all seekers on their journey toward eternal liberation.
Har Har Mahadev!
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