Modernity in the Shadow of Ancient Light- Varanasi In Prospect
Modernity
in the Shadow of Ancient Light- Varanasi In Prospect
Varanasi-
famously known by its spiritual name Kashi (Luminous Light) is the cultural
& religious capital of India. Its supremacy has never been challenged at
any point of time in history. From ancient time it is believed that the city is
older than history itself, ancient texts praise the city in numerous hymns
explaining the pious nature of the city.
Current archaeological excavations did
in Rajghat Area & Sarnath take its history to the time of Indus- Sarswati
Civilization. Story of King Divodas mentioned in the Kashi Khanda of Skanda
Puran reveals the revered sanctity of Kashi that even Gods prefer this city to
Heaven. Its unique geography contains the entire universe in Five Koshas.
Each
religious place has a unique energy that make the place transcend spiritual
feelings to another level but Kashi is the most revered one among them because
it is the ultimate place of pious energy. It’s a representation of universe on
earth in a form of cosmological city. Religious place scattered around India
has its representation in Varanasi. Places like Dwarks, Rameshwaram, Puri,
Kedarnath etc are situated within the sacred geography of the city. It is
believed that if one visit Kashi just once in lifetime gets the fruits of
visiting all other religious places in many lifetimes.
Confluence of three
sacred rivers Varuna, Assi & Ganga takes its sanctity to different
dimension. Its narrow lanes spanning the city from north to south are like
veins of human body. Ever alive never calm. Cremation grounds on other part of
India is believed to be a renounced place situated outside of the city fringes
but here in Varanasi death is auspicious, celebration in nature, salvation from
circle of life & death, the two most pious places Harishchandra Ghat &
Manikarnika Ghat, two cremation grounds are just situated in the middle of the
city.
Once this city was known as Anandavan, filled with numerous ponds of
astrological significance all around the city was encircled by the eternal
forests. Varanasi was the ultimate place of learning in all of Indian History,
it was the most revered place for the learned if one is accepted here with his
wisdom he would have been a know learned around India. Varanasi marked its
position even among the business cites of India as well when this was the only
route crossing from North & South and East to West.
Important Features of the
City
Tourism-
Tourism has been one of the major businesses activities of the city from
ancient time. Earlier religious tourism was the main prevalent phenomenon of
the city in past. People from all around India used to throng here in numbers
in particularly all seasons year around. The phenomenon is same to this date as
well where religious & spiritual tourists now from around the world throng
here in numbers in all seasons year around. Other sorts of tourists are
Historical, Cultural, Educational, Business, and Researchers etc. they visit
the city in numbers in season from August to March.
Education-
Varanasi from ancient times is well known for its educational acumen. This has
been the place of Sanskrit, Religion, Philosophy, Culture, Music, Arts &
Crafts, Medicine, Ayurveda, Yoga learning. People from around the world come
here to learn in the luminous light of the city. Here in Varanasi there are
four universities & numbers of colleges that provide quality modern
education to masses. Apart from modern streams there are numerous independent
institutions that provide ancient education to students with ancient Indian
technique of education.
Business-
Kashi was situated on the ancient silk route, roads that took business from far
South-East Asia to Europe & visa-versa. Other business route that gauged
the India form North-to-South, Varanasi was the main point of trades. Traders
from far places used to throng here in times to either exchange the goods or
sell them in this prosperous city of Varanasi. The city is known for its
indigenous products as well like Silk Sarees, Wood Works, Carpets, Ornaments, and
Musical Instruments etc.
Important Landmarks of the
City
Sights
wise the whole city falls in the gamut of Important Sights, as it is a matter
of historical importance & each corner of the city has something unique to
offer. For visitors, its concentration of mass gathering is centred towards the
Ghats area or near to River Ganga. Another important geographical feature of
the city is so important for the visitors liking is cities narrow lanes bisecting
the city itself from North to South direction of the city, starting from River
Varuna & ending at the River Assi.
These narrow lanes of the city have the
oldest structures of the city constructed interestingly in these narrow lanes.
One important sight as mentioned above is Ghats and most of the activities are
centred at the River & the Ghats. With the suitability of the visitors
& convenience to them they further move towards the Banaras Hindu
University in between giving a peep at Sankatmochan Temple, Durga Temple, Manas
Mandir & Bharat Mata Temple in Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth.
Further
suitability of the visitors makes them to visit Sanskrit University. So to say
basically visitors all around focus are centred towards the Ghats area
only. Secondly they move towards the
Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave its first sermon after getting enlightenment in
Bodhgaya. Other important sights are in the stage of negligence that can be
transformed into major landmarks if developed with proper planning.
Left out Important Landmarks
of the City
Panchakoshi Trip: -
As city defined in many historical Vedic Texts is not just a city of minor
boundaries as the whole city itself is a circle of illuminated lights. This
half encircled city starting from Rajghat to Assi is the original city
mentioned in the Vedic Texts. Circumbulation of the city was as important in
history so one of the oldest structures is found in these areas falling in
Panchkoshi Road. The architectural features along the Panchakoshi Road show the
myriad natures of the city & different life styles of the social city.
Water Bodies (Lakes) of The
City: - The city is known by another name Anandavan,
as it used to be a place of numerous forests & reservoirs. Basically the
city was a place of spirituality where ancient priests used to penance in
between forests. They are in numbers as Durgakund, Suryakund, LakshamiKund,
Pushkar Talab, Motijheel etc. Poor management by the municipality is the whole
sole responsibility of these sights not in the itinerary of the tourists.
Markets of Ancient
Antiquity: - Varanasi was not only a place of
spirituality as geographically its strategic location gave it an important
place in ancient trade route. As river transportation was the main route for
the traders to take their goods from one place to another, Varanasi was in the
middle of this trade route & place to cross the river Gaga as well. Traders
coming from far west used to trade their goods at Varanasi or load or unload
their goods here. This unique trade point was Rajghat area where still in the
Britishers time made the iron bridge because it’s the most convenient place to
cross the river in any season. This market is still the biggest market of goods
of different kinds in the city & has the unique charm of ancient and
medieval market.
Villages nearby City: - As
Varanasi is not just a city of any general importance in sense or comparison of
any other places in the world. Its uniqueness lies in the soothing cosmological
geography of the city as highlighted in different researches. Here tourists
comes in search of peace & rejuvenate their mind & soul for further
journey of their life. Nearby villages of the city are not so distant and still
has the soothing greenery of the old city. These villages can be developed as
centres of Yogic practices & at the same time can be utilized for other
relaxation purposes.
Suggestions
Planned Development of
Infrastructure- As the city stands among the dire needs
of infrastructural development. Few pockets of city chiefly the old area has
minor scope of vast development but maintenance is required in proper manner. Vehicles
should be restricted in these areas with only walking possible. Areas are not
spanning more than few kilometers in distance so walking could be the most
convenient way of transportation. Other parts need minute observation before
making robust constructions.
Planned Development of Town-
Municipality Corporation of Varanasi has lots to answer regarding this as they
lack in quick action towards illegal developments. Once these parts are
developed its really hard to demolish them. So initial inquiries should be
quick & constructions should be stopped in the primary faze. No
construction can’t be developed without proper evaluations as such.
Communities Construction
Development- Communities celebrations of different
sorts should be promoted in big manner. As no such activity is initiated by the
authorities. Each festival should be participated at different locations so as
to avoid management problems of the city. Once these centers are built it will
be convenient for the authority and people of the city as well.
Cleanliness of the city-
As city is so important in any aspect so the cleanliness of the city should be
the responsibility of all. No one party either people or Municipality
Corporation can avoid this. Both should work in cooperation to make the city
clean.
Proper Development of
Landmarks- All landmarks in city are so important in
each context. Its not a matter of few selected monuments that are important
enough to pay all attention. Landmarks like Water Bodies, Monuments, Markets
etc. should get proper attention by the municipality. Their development should
be such managed that new recreational activity should be laid down to the city
dwellers. This will surely transform the city nature from deadliness to new
findings.
Green Belts Development-
Green belts should be developed in the areas where new constructions are going
on. It should be mandatory for the developers to plant certain number of trees
in their areas if they are willing to develop new buildings in these areas.
Firm scrutiny should be done on authority part so no untoward development can
take place.
Old construction
conservation- Building residing in old parts of the
city should not be distorted in any manner by the owners. Minion modification
can be done only on few aspects of the buildings but even with certain norms so
not to change the original structure of the buildings at all. If required many
of the properties where number of owners play card to let the structure
demolish with the weather of time so to acquire prime land for modern
development should be stopped and their management in certain way should be
done by the municipality. These will a change the nature of the owners not to
demolish buildings to money motives.
Conclusion-
Efforts are dynamic in nature rather static. So each individual living in this
oldest living city of world should participate in a manner to uphold the
sanctity of the city. Its not a big ask hard to achieve with proper scrutiny by
the law makers. The city can present a unique example where all the amenities
of modernity can prevail in the shadow of ancient light. This could be the
prospect of Varanasi in new era of development.
Reference:
1- Sherring. M.A.( 1868), ‘
Banaras The Sacred City of The Hindus’. Low Price Publications- New Delhi.
2- Advance with Kyoto, A City
With Multi-Layered Culture (2014). New Industry Promotion Office, Industry
& Tourism Bureau of City of Kyoto.
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