Dear Sir/ Madam,
I got know about your interest in Visiting Kasi through Brahmin Association groups and would like to share my experiences about our visit.
Before we commenced our Visit to Prayam, we had been to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi where my father performed Paarvana Sraddha at the house of Swaminatha Sastrigal and later went to Dhanushkodi to collect sand. In Dhanushkodi they make three mounds of Shivalainga from the sand collected in the sea. After performing pooja, one they dissolve in the sea immediately, one is left as it is and one is collected in a bag which needs to be later dissolved in Prayagam. One is supposed to visit Prayagam within 45 days after collecting the sand. We also took bath in 22 theerthams around the temple including Agni Theertam.
We left Chennai by Ganga Kaveri Express and reached Allahabad ( Prayagam) on the 2nd day morning at 4 AM. We went to Shiva Mutt there where My parents performed Shraddha where he offered 18 or 19 Pindam.Please forgive me on the count.
I got know about your interest in Visiting Kasi through Brahmin Association groups and would like to share my experiences about our visit.
Before we commenced our Visit to Prayam, we had been to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi where my father performed Paarvana Sraddha at the house of Swaminatha Sastrigal and later went to Dhanushkodi to collect sand. In Dhanushkodi they make three mounds of Shivalainga from the sand collected in the sea. After performing pooja, one they dissolve in the sea immediately, one is left as it is and one is collected in a bag which needs to be later dissolved in Prayagam. One is supposed to visit Prayagam within 45 days after collecting the sand. We also took bath in 22 theerthams around the temple including Agni Theertam.
We left Chennai by Ganga Kaveri Express and reached Allahabad ( Prayagam) on the 2nd day morning at 4 AM. We went to Shiva Mutt there where My parents performed Shraddha where he offered 18 or 19 Pindam.Please forgive me on the count.
The rice is cooked there in an earthen pot. After visiting Kanchi Shankara Muttt, we proceeded to Triveni Sangam later for Veni Dhaanam. As you may know, Veni refers to Jadai In Sanskrit and the karta's wife gives this is an offering at The Sangam. One takes with them all the fancy articles like Bindi, Comb etc. At the Sangam, one dissolves the sand brought from Rameswaram and collects water in a Can. We took bath exactly at the Sangam as the water levels were low.Part of this water is sealed in copper vessels and remaining part is taken to Rameswaram again for Abishekam of Sri Ramanatha swamy. Cans are available there.
I found that it is cheaper to get this sealed in Varanasi than in Allahabad.There is a Settiyar Kadai in Hanuman Ghat in Varanasi where I fond this cheaper than the same in Allahabad.
Our next stop was Varanasi, and stayed in Hanuman Ghat. Tambu Vadyar was the Vaidika for us. On a lighter side, I being the youngest in the group had the responsibility fo lifting the luggage and accompanying the older members and to attend to their needs. Tambu Vadyar became a good friend of mine. He is indeed very learned and has done Adhayanam from Kumbakonam.
On our arrival at Varanasi, we took bath in the river Ganga and my parents proceeded to Kanchi Shankara Mutt where they did one more Paarvan Sradhdha. As is customary, every member of the group is assigned two Brahmanas. Although it is customary to cook Annam and Payasam Separately, but due to lack of cooking facilities, they
provide Annam and Payasam separately in earthen pots. The Brahmins there cook separately and give us. While other items in Sradhdha remain common to all, like Curry, Kootu etc, the Annam and Payasam are separate which only the two Brahamanas, the Karta and his Wife can have . One needs to give veshti - towel to two Brahmanas as is customary in Sradhdha. May I bring to your info that the Brahamanas are localites but are very conversant in our Customs. Even the Boatman in Prayag and Varanasi who takes us speaks Tamil well and guides us very well.
The next day one offers Pindam at 5 ghats. The day begins by visiting Bindu Madhavan Temple along the banks of Ganga. You may be aware that there are three Madhava temples, Sethu Madhavan in Rameswaram, Veni Madhavan in Prayag and Bindu Madhavan in Kasi. The Vadyar accompanied us all to all the Ghats where my parents offered Pindam between the rivers Varuna and Assi which meets River Ganga thereby giving it the name. The rice is cooked while sailing in the boat where every family is provided with a kumuti and an earthen pot.
Sir, River Ganga flows in the northerly direction Varanasi giving it the name Uttara Vahini . It is considered very auspicious to perform Gayatri Japam along the river Ganga. There are 365 ghats in Varanasi and one can take bath I was been told that one should take bath only on the western ghat . The eastern Ghat is called Vyasa Kasi and one should not take bath there as people say that Sage Vyasa was given a curse here and so this place is forbidden. Also some others say that Eastern side has the palace of Maharaja of Kashi, so one is forbidden to take bath there. You may see that all the Ghats are only along the western side and Eastern side is barren.
We left for Gaya that evening by a van ( I guess Toyota Qualis) and it took about 5 hours for us to reach Gaya. As you may know, Gaya is about 25 miles from Bodh Gaya where Buddha was enlightened. The next day we proceeded to The temple of Vishnu ( where Vishnu Paadam is kept). My father and mother took bath in the river Phalguni.
The next day one offers Pindam at 5 ghats. The day begins by visiting Bindu Madhavan Temple along the banks of Ganga. You may be aware that there are three Madhava temples, Sethu Madhavan in Rameswaram, Veni Madhavan in Prayag and Bindu Madhavan in Kasi. The Vadyar accompanied us all to all the Ghats where my parents offered Pindam between the rivers Varuna and Assi which meets River Ganga thereby giving it the name. The rice is cooked while sailing in the boat where every family is provided with a kumuti and an earthen pot.
Sir, River Ganga flows in the northerly direction Varanasi giving it the name Uttara Vahini . It is considered very auspicious to perform Gayatri Japam along the river Ganga. There are 365 ghats in Varanasi and one can take bath I was been told that one should take bath only on the western ghat . The eastern Ghat is called Vyasa Kasi and one should not take bath there as people say that Sage Vyasa was given a curse here and so this place is forbidden. Also some others say that Eastern side has the palace of Maharaja of Kashi, so one is forbidden to take bath there. You may see that all the Ghats are only along the western side and Eastern side is barren.
We left for Gaya that evening by a van ( I guess Toyota Qualis) and it took about 5 hours for us to reach Gaya. As you may know, Gaya is about 25 miles from Bodh Gaya where Buddha was enlightened. The next day we proceeded to The temple of Vishnu ( where Vishnu Paadam is kept). My father and mother took bath in the river Phalguni.
Due to incessant rains, the river which was otherwise dry was brimming. I only consider this as a will of god. My father offered 72 Pindams there. This includes 16 for mother alone. It was indeed very touching when Sri Ganesh Bhat, the Vaidika explained the pains that a mother undergoes from the time she conceives through the deilvery , bringing up the child and finally her death. Every one present there wept to be honest. One offers Pindam not only to their Pitrus but also to Kaarunya Pitrus, to those who have had no offsprings, friends, even to the pet animals at home.
This Pindam is later taken to Vishnu Paadam where it is kept. One chants Vishnu Sahasranamam during this time they say. Later on our return to the place where we stayed in Gaya, my father performed Paarvan Sradhdha. Again like in Varanasi, two Brahmins are allocated to each Karta. Unlike usual Sradhdha Food, the food here is Baically Poori, Sabji and Payasam. While Annam and Payasam are given seperatley to individual family, Poori and Sabji remains common for all.
This Pindam is later taken to Vishnu Paadam where it is kept. One chants Vishnu Sahasranamam during this time they say. Later on our return to the place where we stayed in Gaya, my father performed Paarvan Sradhdha. Again like in Varanasi, two Brahmins are allocated to each Karta. Unlike usual Sradhdha Food, the food here is Baically Poori, Sabji and Payasam. While Annam and Payasam are given seperatley to individual family, Poori and Sabji remains common for all.
As The Brahmins there are Mythili Brahmins ( from Mithila) who prefer Poori Sabji than rice, it is customary to satisfy them in accordance with their needs. A word of Caution here sir.
Please be very careful when giving Dakshina to the two Brahmins as they are never satisfied with what you give. So please inquire before about Dakshina beforehand. Here too one offers Veshti-towel to the two Brahmanas.
When we went to Gaya, it was during Mahalaya Paksham, so there were huge crowd there. People from all over Bihar, Eastern UP come to Pitru Paksha mela ever year. I don't think it will be crowded in March. It seems only South Indian Brahmins and Maarwaadi's offer rice as Pindam while the localites offer wheat pindam.
On completion of Sradhdha, we went to Vata Vriksham where one bows to the eternal tree and also offers not to eat a fruit, a vegetable and a leaf. This I guess should be the one used in Sradhdha. My father left Kottavarngai and dates. At Vata Vriksha, you are required to seek the satisfaction of a lone Brahmana who represents Pitru.
Gaya Sraddha is truly enduring as it stretches upto 6 PM in the evening. You may have Kanji or cup of coffee once.We had lunch only at 6:30 PM.
You can also buy Vishnu Paadam, a cooper plate with a single paadam which my father uses for Ammavasai Tarpanam. Please do not buy a plate with two paadam which is called Raamar Paadam and cannot be used to Ammavasai Tarpanam.
As we did not have time to visit Bodh Gaya, we returned to Varanasi late night. The next day my parents did Dampati Poojai and Ganga Pooja. One of the members in our group did Go-Dhaanam. During Dampati Poojai, a elderly couple is offered Sari and Veshti and my mother gave Metti, Maangalayam Bottu in addition.
That evening we paid a visit to Kashi Viswanath temple, Vishalakshi temple , Sozhi Amman temple, and the Kaala Bhairava temple. We were fortunate to visit Kashi Viswanath temple at the time of Saptarishi Pooja at evening 7'o clock.
Due to security reasons we could not take camera inside the temple. This temple is in a placed called Gnanavaapi and is surrounded on 3 sides by Masjid.Sir, it is said that the Muslims while offering Namaz in the Masjid never show their back to the direction of Kashi Vishwanath. For book afficianados, there are many Sanskrit Book shops like Chowkambha ( Chatuh Stambha in Sanskrit).
We also visited the new Vishwanath temple inside the Banaras Hindu University Campus built by Pt.Madan Mohan Malviya. The journey to Kashi is not complete without visiting Kaala Bhairava temple. We could not visit, Sankatmochan Hanuman Mandir due to lack of time and we had to attend the Ganga Aarthi at Dashashwamedha Ghat. My mother also made a visit to local Saree Shops.
The next day we boarded a train to Chennai from Mugal Sarai Station and from Chennai we took a train immediately to Rameswaram to complete the journey. We gave the water that we collected at Prayag at Sri Ramanathar swamy temple. On our return to Bangalore where we stay, we performed a Samaraadanai which completed our journey.
It was indeed a god's will that I could accompany my parents in their old age and Seeing these rituals performed from close has only made me respect god and my parents much more than before. Since we travelled during Pitru Paksham, my parents did not have food outside. Food was arranged by everywhere we went and even during our travel, we got food in Nagpur arranged by this gentleman ( I forgot his name ).
Shivashankar
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We brothers had been to Varanasi, Prayag and Gaya for performing sradham for our parents in March 2011
We stayed in Kanchi Kamokoti Mutt , Hanuman Ghat at Varanasi. Accommodation is very good with A/C if needed.
They arrange srardham at Prayag, Varanasi and at Gaya also.
First day we went to Prayag and after sumangali poojas, bath in triveni etc., performed sradham at the Mutt premises.
Second day we performed Ganga Pooja, bath etc in Ganga, thambadhi pooja etc., and performed srardham at the Mutt premises at Varanasi.
You can take even two days for these.
Third day we performed pinda pradhanam at sripadham and at banion tree and sradham at the Mutt premises at Gaya.
All arrangements including Vadhyars, Brahminas and food etc are arranged by the Kanchi Mutt Manager at all these three places. K. Sanckar.
we have a close association with sri sankarashstrigal his mobile number is 9841007660, please feel free to call hime and may be you could refer my name in simple as cheenu ( giri)- sankarashastrigal will be kind enough to give guidance
regards
srinivasan
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I am Hema R.......... My husband and I had been to Gaya to do the Shradam for my parents in law and brother in law, in August 2010. It is best to approach the Kanchi Shankar Mutt, situated at Hanuman Ghat, Varanasi to make the arrangements. We did just that. We had to reach Allahabad. transport from there with a guide was arranged by the mutt. We were taken to the Shiva Mutt there. we performed the rituals at the mutt and at the Sangam.
All arrangements for this also was made by the Shankar Mutt. Around 4pm, after lunch we were driven to Varanasi. We were given a room in the mutt there. Rooms are good and comfortable but there are no bedding etc available.
So it is advisable to carry them along. From the next day, all rituals were arranged at the Mutt, including Shraddham, pooja at the different ghats and snanams etc. On the fourth day we were driven to Gaya. [ Takes about 5 hours] .
We stayed at the Shankar mutt there. Again comfortable room with NO furnishing or bedding etc. The day after that, Gaya shraddham was organized by the Shankar mutt.
This takes a long time and it is about 4pm in the evening by the time one feeds the brahmins and is able to have lunch. Soon after that we were driven back to Varanasi [ by 10pm] The next day we had Dampathi poojai, also arranged by the Mutt. With that the Gaya shraddham ends. One can request the mutt to take one around sight seeing or temple hopping.
We visited all the temples this way. We were dropped back at the railway station. All the time we had a guide with us. That way we were not fleeced by the pundits. The Shankar Mutt charges a fixed amount for making all the arrangements.
The Manager there is extremely helpful and nice. They also help you in your shopping. Thanks to the Shankar Mutt, we were able to complete the Gaya Shraddham to out satisfaction.
With best wishes and regards
Hema
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I am happy u are visiting Kasi.Pls contact Mahadeva ganapadigal who has separate comfortable rooms with western toilet fan etc. his E mail and the cell no that is given below .for further details contact him
9956276851,9984961599 kashimahadevan@sify.com
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Very glad to provide details of Kasi Yatra. I have been in this yathra twice - Once with my wife and next in group of 36 persons.
For Iyers Kasi yathra has to start from Rameswaram. There you can stay in Sankara Madam or In sringery madam. There are Vadhyars who will help in doing all the rituals . You have to collect Sand from there and then proceed to Allahabad.
There is Siva Madam in Allahabad and one Mr. Sundaram Iyer is there and he will arrange all your stay food, and rituals to be done at Thriveni Sangamam.
There you have to put the sand in Triveni and collect Triveni water, do the rituals Mr Sundaram Ph no.05322500799.
He can arrange taxi to Kasi and Gaya.
Next proceed to Kasi. There Is a person called Swamimalai Krishna murthy Ganapadigal who will take care of all the programmes. One full day programme including Srardham to be performed there. His contact no is 0542 2310134 or 0933533137.
His son Mr Siva will also help.
Next go to Gaya where you can stay in Karnatak Bavan. There also you have to do rituals. Being an Iyengar, I did this only in Gaya. There we have to put 64 pindams out which 16 is for the mother alone where as for all others it is one pindam only.
When the Vadhyar says the meaning for each pindam for mother every body will certainly cry/ weep for the sacrifices done by our mothers. One should experience this during the life time
Contact no. Mr Raghavendra Acharya 099317840631
The persons in the above places are doing excellent services .Their charges are also nominal.
According to our Vedas. our fore parents would be waiting in those places for us and see whether we are coming there for doing Pinda Pradanam. so that their sole is released and go to Swargam.
After completing this once again go to Rameswaram and do the poojas with the water brought from Triveni and thus completing the process.
This is what I understand. I hope this would be beneficial to many who want to go to this yathra.
If anybody wants to combine this with other places like, Chitrkood, Naimisaranyam Ayodhya etc, there are conducted tour available from Chennai. If need I can provide address and phone no of such Tours.
Regards
Santhanam
