GOPS CREATIV :: REDISCOVERING MY LOST PASSIONS
Jul 29
by GOPAN NAIR in Life in this India, travel, Varanasi 11 comments tags: aarti, Assi Ghat, benaras, benares, Dashashwamedh Ghat, gali, ganga, ganges, ghat, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops.org, Harishchandra Ghat, hindu, holy, kashi, Manikarnika, Manikarnika Ghat, photo, photography, river, sadhu, spiritual, spirituality, street, Tulsi Ghat, varanasi, Vishwanath Temple, worship

VARANASI, A CITY BEYOND LIFE & DEATH

VARANASI, also recognized as BENARAS or KASHI, holds the prestigious title of being the oldest living city globally, with a well-documented history of over 3000 years. Mark Twain’s words resonate as he stated, “Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and appears twice as old as all of them combined.” This ancient city has withstood the test of time, existing even during the childhood years of Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become known as Buddha. Varanasi is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the western bank of the sacred Ganga River. This ancient city, revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs, serves as a religious hub. Despite facing destruction by Mughals and other invaders over the centuries, Varanasi continues to stand as a place where the past and present, eternity and continuity, philosophy and wisdom harmoniously coexist. For Hindus, Kashi holds the same level of sanctity as Mecca does for Muslims and Jerusalem does for Christians. It is widely believed that one must receive an invitation from a higher power in order to visit Varanasi. I believe this holds true in everyday life as well. Despite my tendency to procrastinate, the trip […]
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Feb 05
by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage, travel 2 comments tags: ashok, ashoka, benaras, bodhi, buddha, buddhist, chakra, Dhamek, Dhamekh, Dhamekha, Dharm Chakra, emperor, gaya, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, holy, Isipatana, maurya, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar Temple, peepal, photography, pilgrimage, pillar, Rishipattana, sarnath, site, stambha, stupa, tree, varanasi

SARNATH, THE BIRTH PLACE OF BUDDHISM

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”  :-Gautam Buddha The emblem of India was derived from an Ashoka Pillar discovered in Sarnath. The Lion Capital of Ashoka is a statue featuring four lions seated back to back, as well as the ‘Dharm Chakra’ (Wheel of Dharma/ Ashoka Chakra, with 24 spokes) positioned on top and mounted on a pillar (Stupa, Stambh). Emperor Ashoka erected the renowned Ashoka Pillar at this site, which was destroyed by Turk and Islamic invaders. The remnants of the pillar can still be seen at its original location, bearing inscriptions in Brahmi script. The Lion Capital and Ashoka Chakra are preserved in the adjacent Archaeology museum. The four lions symbolize power, courage, confidence, and pride, as well as Ashoka’s rule extending in all four directions. In addition to the lions, the pillar also features a horse, a bull, an elephant, and a lion, representing the various stages of Buddha’s life. The monolithic polished Chunar sandstone pillar stands at a height of 15.25 meters, with a diameter of 0.71 meters at the base and 0.56 meters at the top. Sarnath, situated 10 kilometers away from Varanasi […]
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