Reminiscing the Holy month of Sawan in Kashi
It's the month of Sawan and I can't help but remember my last Sawan in Kashi.
Kashi- The land of Baba Vishwanath, The land of Bhairava, the place which seems and feels so ancient, the place which fills you up with peace and helps you slow down.
Every nook, corner, lane, building, shrine in Kashi tells a story. A story rooted in time, some remembered and some forgotten but still carrying its aura.
Sawan in Kashi is a joyful event. Every temple exuberates the spirit of Sawan. So many people in temples, in Ghats to have a glimpse of Bhole Baba in Kashi.
Since the day I visited Kashi, I have loved the place and always dreamt of being there during Sawan. So being there during the month felt beautiful and exciting.
After some time of the trip, staying in Kashi, It was the Sawan Monday morning.
The roads were crowded and many roads were closed for traffic to allow for Kanwar Yantra. I had my plans for Sawan Monday in Kashi, where I wanted to visit certain temples for Shiva Linga Abhishekam but I have realised, most of the time, that my plans have never worked in any Kshetra. The uncertainties of Kshetra visits makes the experience feel even more rewarding.
Here, the roads were closed and many restricted vehicles movement because of Kanwar Yatra. It was my first Sawan there so I didn't know about it or even prepare for it. So, though very early, it was a blocker and it did not seem feasible to travel a distance at that time.
Since my plan didn't seem to be working and I was tired, I thought maybe I won't be able to fulfil my wish of doing a Shiva Linga abhishekam on A Sawan Monday in Kashi. Not knowing what to do, I unconsciously gave up. I was tired, needed some rest, so I revisited Kal Bhairav Temple and was able to have a beautiful and surprisingly less crowded visit to Baba. I sat there, did some japa and then giving up on my plans, I roamed around the lanes, seeing where it takes me.
Moving in the lanes of Ghasi Tola, I couldn't find my way out and in the process of trying to find my way, I came across Pita Maheshwar Mahadev temple… On a Monday morning, it was surprisingly empty. I went in to see one person doing his Japa and waiting for Abhishekam once the temple opened. To access the Shiva Linga of the temple, one has to go down some stairs and do the puja, abhishekam and then return. I waited till the priest opened the temple and completed his Seva. Then I was able to go inside, there was water with a copper vessel to do Abhishekam of the Shiva Linga and I was able to sit there for sometime did the abhishekam non hurriedly, did my japa for sometime and having a beaming face of joy, I came out, thinking finally I was able to do jala abhishekam on a Sawan Monday in Kashi. The place was extremely peaceful, with no crowd and enough time to sit and do your japa.
I slowly got up, with extreme contentment and went outside to leave the temple. I was blessed to get a big container of Ganga Jal and some direction to nearby temples where I can perform abhishekam with the Ganga jal. So I was able to visit a few more temples and could do GangaJal Abhishekam of the Shiva Linga in those temples and enjoy the non crowded surroundings and spend more time in Abhishekam in those temples. Some of the temples named - Mata Siddheshwari temple and Atma Veereshwar Mahadev temple. And many temples, i dont even remember the names. Those were temples in the Gali, weren't very famous maybe, but were mostly empty and I felt like going in to do jal abhishekam seva and spend my time experiencing the place and the temple
I had a deep feeling of contentment of having my wish fulfilled and having spent my Sawan Monday morning in Kashi. My Gangajal bottle was empty and after all the abhishekam i finally reached near the Ghat. The rains were very heavy and the stairs in the Ghats were hugely submerged. No boat services were there. After a beautiful day, I was able to sit at peace near the Ghats, having breakfast and tea, watching the Sawan rains, the swelled up river, people, dogs and events near the Ghats.
It seems like a normal event, but in my heart this Monday morning is one of the most memorable moments in Kashi. It's very simple but the peace, contentment and calm it brought to me can't be expressed. I surely felt closer to Bhairava that day and in fact during that whole trip and that was the whole point of spending a few days of Sawan in Kashi.
Baba has blessed me and allowed me to visit Kashi, sometimes alone, sometimes with few friends. But that said, every trip is always different. The energy is different, and the bonding you feel with Baba is different.
I can't explain to anyone why I keep visiting Kashi. For others, it's the same place, what's the point of visiting the same place many times. What's the point of visiting these places alone? How do I explain the amount of connection I feel, especially when I visit alone? How do I explain, that once you have felt that, why you continue craving for that connection
It's only when you feel this connection, you can justify the reason why people say- You can leave Kashi but Kashi never leaves you.
As long as Bhairav Baba allows me to step in this beautiful place, I pray to always be able to keep visiting the ancient land of Kashi.
Feel free to share your Kashi experience in the comments section