A new book · Varanasi
Kashi
a call of the soulWritten and edited by Shreya Chugh
A realm where time appears to stand still and the mortal seamlessly merges with the divine — a journey through the temples, ghats and living rituals of the eternal city of Shiva.
with love, ShreyaAbout the book
The eternal city of Shiva
Kashi is more than a city; it is a living, breathing embodiment of spirituality – a realm where time appears to stand still and the mortal seamlessly merges with the divine. It is a sacred place where life and death coexist harmoniously, and every street and corner echoes pious, sacred, and divine experiences.
Known as Varanasi, Kashi is the spiritual epicentre that has captivated saints, scholars, and seekers for millennia. Revered as the divine abode of The Supreme Bhagavān Shiva, the cosmic destroyer and the ultimate giver of liberation, this city transcends time. It resonates with the timeless rhythm of devotion, purity, and liberation – a home for the soul.
This sacred city offers the dissolution of karmic bonds – something not readily found in the heavenly realms.
Every corner of Kashi bears Bhagavān Shiva’s infinite grace. Its ghats (stairways) whisper stories of liberation, its temples stand as enduring monuments of devotion, and its air vibrates with the echoes of ancient chants. Among these sacred sites, Manikarnika Ghat reigns as the holiest, embodying the essence of moksha. Scriptures proclaim that a single dip in the waters here merits visiting all pilgrimages combined. The sacred Ganga river purifies the soul, erases karmic debts, and leads to eternal peace.
The Ganga is not just a river in Kashi; it is a divine energy, blessed by Bhagavān Shiva himself. The Skanda Purana declares, “If Vaikuntha were to be weighed against Kashi, the scales would tilt in favour of Kashi.” Such is the magnitude of its spiritual significance. Here, even the simplest acts – offering prayers, taking a holy dip, or donating with pure intent – resonate with profound meaning and spiritual depth.
Kashi has been a sanctuary for sages, seekers, and the spiritually inclined for ages. Those who pass away in Kashi are said to be freed from the cycle of life and death and are a refuge of knowledge, faith, and liberation. Bhagavān Shiva is believed to whisper the sacred Taraka Mantra into their ears, ensuring their ultimate salvation.
“If Vaikuntha were to be weighed against Kashi, the scales would tilt in favour of Kashi.”— Skanda Purana
What’s inside
A pilgrim’s companion to Kashi
Sadhus who have renounced worldly pleasures in pursuit of truth, artisans inspired by Kashi’s timeless heritage, and the stories, photographs and voices of those who have experienced its magic firsthand.
Temples & deities
Kashi Vishvanath, Kaal Bhairav, Annapurna, Vishalakshi, Sankat Mochan, and the Nav Durgas, Nav Gauris, Ashta Bhairavas and 12 Adityas.
The ghats
Manikarnika, Dashashvamedh, Asi, Tulasi and Kedar — the stairways to the Ganga and the rituals that live on them.
Why it matters
Why Kashi, why Ling Puja, why a dip in the Ganga, and the meaning of Pind Daan — through scripture and story.
For the pilgrim
Maps, the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Yatra, Dev Deepavali, a food odyssey, and a list of things to carry.
Look inside
Turn the pages
Scroll sideways, and tap any page to open it full size.
Contents
A journey along the Ganga
38 stops on the river — from Dhundiraj Ganesha to a food odyssey. The larger lamps mark the ghats.
- Forewordp. 11
- Prefacep. 13
- Introductionp. 15
- Dhundiraj Ganeshap. 16
- Story of Gangap. 19
- Kashi Vishvanathp. 21
- Why Kashi?p. 30
- Pind Daanp. 37
- Why Ling Puja?p. 41
- Kaal Bhairavp. 43
- Meditating in Kaship. 48
- Durga Templep. 52
- Vishalakshi Devip. 55
- Manikarnika, the Eternal Flame of Varanasip. 58
- Tulasi Ghatp. 65
- Annapurna Devip. 69
- Why a dip in the Ganga?p. 70
- Asi Ghatp. 75
- Bindu Madhavp. 79
- Dashashvamedh Ghatp. 83
- Kedar Ghatp. 89
- Nav Durgasp. 93
- Nav Gauris of Kaship. 105
- Ashta Bhairavasp. 117
- 12 Adityasp. 129
- Krittivaseshvarp. 143
- Dev Deepavalip. 145
- The Sacred Sankat Mochan Templep. 153
- Madhyameshvarp. 154
- Adi Keshavp. 157
- Sankata Devip. 158
- Nepali Templep. 160
- Mrityunjay Mahadevp. 164
- Ratneshvar Mahadevp. 165
- Dwadash Jyotirlinga Yatrap. 166
- A Food Odysseyp. 169
- Things to carryp. 173
- Bibliographyp. 174
From the foreword
The City of Light
The word Kāshī means ‘concentration of cosmic light’. Kāshī is the oldest name and first used in the Atharva Veda: “Kāshī shines and illumines the universe. Kāshī makes moksha (liberation) dawn on everybody by giving wisdom.”
The Kāshī Khaṇḍa mentions that Bhagavān Shiva, being settled on the three high peaks in Varanasi, spreads light all around the city, thus the name Kāshī. The rays of the early-morning sun spread across the river and strike the high-banked face of this city — making this place the Luminous, the City of Light.
The Kāshī Khaṇḍa also says, “The Ganga River, Shiva, and the divine city of Kāshī make the Trinity of grace and perfect bliss.”
A note from the editor
Step into the ghats of Kashi
Whether you are a seasoned traveller or someone exploring from afar, I invite you to step into the ghats of Kashi, witness its sacred rituals, and immerse yourself in the divine energy that permeates this timeless place.
As an editor, I have had the privilege of immersing myself in the stories, photographs, and voices of those who have experienced Kashi’s magic firsthand.
Within these pages, you will meet sadhus who have renounced worldly pleasures in pursuit of truth and artisans who breathe life into their creations, inspired by the timeless heritage of Kashi.
Kashi: A Call of the Soul is not just a collection of stories but a deeply experienced tribute to the enduring allure of this eternal city.
Let us embark on this journey together and co-share Kashi, where the spiritual and the mundane converge together, and every moment is an opportunity for transformation. That’s why the name is Banaras.
— Shreya Chugh
Bring Kashi home
Let Kashi call you
Kashi: A Call of the Soul is available in English from Universal Books — 176 full-colour pages of the eternal city.
Book description, details and page previews from Universal Books. Price as listed there; please check the shop for the current price and shipping.