KASI
The Royal place of Lord Siva

ANTIQUITY

The story of Lord Maheswar's selection of this place for permanent settlement is quite fascinating and sheds light on his love for Parvathi, his inseparable spouse. After marriage, it appears once Menaka - Parvathi's mother bewailed, "My son-in-law is without proper dwelling place, without wealth and without attractive personality too. It is indeed a folly that Parvathi committed in her selection. They are ill-matched in very aspect." Parvathi narrating it, told him her resolve to settle down at her parents' house. To please her, Maheswar commissioned Nikumbha to maneuver Divodas, the king of Kasi out of that grand city. Nikumbha appeared to Aunikumbha, a Brahmin of great austere life in dream and asked him to build a temple for Maheswar. He passed on this to Divodas, who accomplished the pious wish of the Brahmin. Lord Maheswar soon after installation started granting several kinds of boons to the worshippers, and so the temple became very popular in a short period. Though everyone's desires were fulfilled, the gift of son for Divodas remained withheld. Unable to making compromise with his misfortune, the king demolished the temple beyond recognition. Hearing this Nikumbha flew into ungovernable rage and cursed that the city would be depeopled - Jansunya soon. The curse ran its course. Then Nikumbha invited Lord Maheswar to settle down here permanently. He descended with Parvathi and soon it developed in all directions - dasadisas. And the Omni-merciful Maheswar began bestowing on all, blessings and demonstrating his powers through several miracles. Infinitely contented Parvathi, assuming the name of Annapurna started offering people anna - daily food, the basic necessity of man's existence. And lo! she made her position supremely august and incomparably mighty that her Lord himself was constrained to come to her-for food with a bowl in his hand. This is exquisitely represented in the temple dedicated to her, lying adjacent to her Lord's shrine! According to one version, she represents Goddess Sakti, and Varanasi is one of the ancient Saktipithas. Sakti's left hand fell here, when Maha Vishnu's sundaran disc cut out the corpse of Sakti into several pieces, when carried by Siva. And it is worshipped since then.

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