Kashi Vishwanath: the city of light

Episodes and lessons

1. The city that is never left Episode 1 · 11 min · Read along

   In this episode: Kashi is called Avimukta, the place Shiva never lets go.; Shiva is worshipped here as Vishwanath, lord of the universe.; Local traditions connect the Puranas to daily life in Kashi..

   It begins: "Before we begin, take a breath with us. In through the nose."

2. Dashashwamedh: the ghat of ten sacrifices Episode 2 · 12 min · Read along

   In this episode: Dashashwamedh ghat sees morning baths and evening Ganga aarti.; The name means “place of ten horse sacrifices” from the Skanda Purana story.; King Divodasa and Brahma performed ten sacrifices here, and the gods stayed..

   It begins: "Welcome back to our series on Kashi Vishwanath. Last time we stood in the lane outside the temple and heard the name Avimukta, the place Shiva never lets go."

3. The household of Kashi: Annapurna, Kaal Bhairav and Dhundhiraj Ganesh Episode 3 · 11 min · Read along

   In this episode: Dhundhiraj Ganesh is the one who seeks and opens the way.; Mother Annapurna's store of food never runs out.; Kaal Bhairav is the city's chief watchman and protector..

   It begins: "Welcome back to our series on Kashi Vishwanath. Last time we sat on the steps of Dashashwamedh Ghat and heard how King Divodasa ruled Kashi while Shiva waited on a far mountain, and how Brahma came, performed ten sacrifices, and stayed."

4. A temple rebuilt: the story of the building Episode 4 · 8 min · Read along

   The temple of Vishwanath has been destroyed and rebuilt more than once. We tell the story of the building calmly, from Ahilyabai Holkar's temple of 1780 and Ranjit Singh's gold to the corridor opened in 2021.

   It begins: "Welcome back to our series on Kashi Vishwanath. So far we have heard the name Avimukta, sat by the river at Dashashwamedh, and met the household of Kashi, Annapurna, Kaal Bhairav and Dhundhiraj Ganesh."

5. A day in the temple: from Mangala aarti to Shayan aarti Episode 5 · 9 min · Read along

   We spend one full day inside the Vishwanath temple, from the lamp before dawn to the lamp at night, and share simple ways to have darshan with care and respect.

   It begins: "Welcome to the last episode of our series on Kashi Vishwanath."

6. The ghats from Assi to Manikarnika Episode 6 · 11 min · Read along

   In this episode: Walk the stone steps from Assi to Manikarnika, feeling the cool sunrise air.; Notice everyday river life—washers, buffalo, quiet observers—without performance.; Respect each ghat: walk slowly, hold hands near water, and avoid photos at sacred sites..

   It begins: "It is just before sunrise in Kashi. The air is cool. If you are listening at home, imagine yourself standing at the top of a wide flight of stone steps."

7. Assi at first light - the river's name and the morning gathering Episode 7 · 11 min · Read along

   The river's name and the morning gathering

   In this episode: Sit on the Assi steps at dawn and listen to quiet river sounds.; Watch the morning aarti, chanting, and yoga as light rises.; Offer water to the sun from a lota, thanking the river safely..

   It begins: "Welcome back to the ghats of Kashi. In the last episode we walked the whole riverbank from Assi to Manikarnika in one morning."

8. Dashashwamedh and the evening Ganga aarti Episode 8 · 11 min · Read along

   In this episode: Walk north to Dashashwamedh, the city’s busiest ghat, and stay for the evening aarti.; Watch priests offer lamps, incense, and flowers to the Ganga as the sun sets.; Sit quietly, respect the crowd, and feel the shared reverence of the river’s light..

   It begins: "In our last episode we spent a morning at Assi, at the southern edge of old Kashi."

9. Manikarnika and Harishchandra - the cremation ghats, with respect Episode 9 · 11 min · Read along

   The cremation ghats, with respect

   In this episode: Visit Harishchandra and Manikarnika, Kashi's cremation ghats.; Learn about the stories and traditions of these sacred places.; Understand how to show respect at the ghats..

   It begins: "This episode is a little different from the others. Today we visit Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat, the two places in Kashi where cremations take place."

10. The northern ghats - Panchganga to Adi Keshava, where the Varuna meets the Ganga Episode 10 · 9 min · Read along

    Panchganga to Adi Keshava, where the Varuna meets the Ganga

    It begins: "This is the last walk of our series on the ghats of Kashi. We began at Assi, at the southern edge of the old city."

11. When the ghats are lit for the gods Episode 11 · 3 min · Read along

    On the full moon of Kartik, it is said, the gods come down to bathe in the Ganga at Kashi. On 24 November the whole city lights its steps for them.

    It begins: "In the earlier parts of this series we walked the ghats of Kashi, from Assi in the south to the northern ghats, and sat for the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh."

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