Kashi Yatra

Hindu pilgrims undertaking the Kashi Yatra.
For the Indian Institute of Technology festival, see Kashiyatra. For the 1973 Indian film, see Kasi Yathirai.

Kashi Yatra (Sanskrit: काशीयात्रा, romanized: Kāśīyātrā, lit. 'Pilgrimage to Kashi') refers to the yatra (pilgrimage) to the city of Kashi (Varanasi) in Hinduism.[1] Regarded to be among the holiest of cities in Hinduism, pilgrims undertake a journey to this city due to the belief that it would allow them to achieve mukti (salvation). The significance of this pilgrimage is explained in the Skanda Purana.[2] Kashi is referred to as an important tirtha (holy site) in Hindu literature, with the Kashi Vishwanath temple of the city considered to be among the most sacred sites dedicated to the deity Shiva.[3]

It also refers to a name of a ceremony during a Hindu wedding: A bridegroom expresses the desire to become an ascetic and undertake a pilgrimage to Kashi, carrying slippers, an umbrella, a bamboo fan, and other objects that may vary according to regional traditions. While he walks away from the wedding mandapa, the bride's father persuades the bridegroom to return, and marry his daughter.[4]

The panchakroshi route near Varanasi.
  1. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (25 May 2018). "Kashiyatra, Kāśīyātrā, Kashi-yatra: 2 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  2. ^ Butler, Richard; Suntikul, Wantanee (30 January 2018). Tourism and Religion: Issues and Implications. Channel View Publications. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-84541-647-8.
  3. ^ Jha, Makhan (1998). India and Nepal: Sacred Centres and Anthropological Researches. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 978-81-7533-081-8.
  4. ^ Ratra, Amiteshwar (2006). Marriage and Family: In Diverse and Changing Scenario. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 191. ISBN 978-81-7629-758-5.