The Sacred Complex of Kashi: A Microcosm of Indian CivilizationStudy of the importance of Varanasi as a centre for Hindu pilgrimage and the traditional priestcraft of the place. |
Contents
LIST OF PLATES 55 | 5 |
INTRODUCTION | 11 |
THE SACRED GEOGRAPHY | 25 |
THE SACRED PERFORMANCES | 46 |
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS | 65 |
TYPOLOGY | 91 |
CONCLUSIONS | 142 |
REFERENCES | 157 |
iii List of Ghats | 176 |
v Life Histories | 187 |
vi Sacred Myths about the Tirthas | 296 |
vii Chronology of Major Events at Kashi | 309 |
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Common terms and phrases
aghoris Annapurna anushthanis arati aughar Banaras Banaras Hindu University bhaddars Bhairava Calcutta caste century A.D. ceremony cremation cultural dakshina darshan Dasashwamedh ghat dead body deity Devi devotees Durga father festival Ganesh Ganga Ganges Gaya ghat ghat Pucca ghatias goddess golden Vishwanath temple guru Gyanvapi Harishchandra Hindu holy important India jajman karmakandis Kashi Kedar Kund Kunda large number Life-history linguistic located Lord Shiva Lord Vishwanath Mahanta mahapatra Maharaja Mandir Manikarnika ghat mantras marriage married Mohalla moksha mother mundan ceremony myth Name Nath offered panchakosi parikrama pandas parikrama Parvati Pauranic person pilgrims pindas Prasad priests profession Pucca puja punya Puranas Raja Rameshwar Ranchi recite religious rites ritual Rudrabhisheka sacred centres sacred complex sacred geography sacred performances sacred specialists Sanskrit Saraswati Saryuparin Saryuparin Brahmin Shastric Shitala Shiva linga shmashan Shraddh take bath temple of Vishwanath tirthapurohitas tirthas traditions Tulsi Varanasi various Varuna village Vinayak Vishnu worship yajna yatrawals