Importance of dying in Kashi
Kashi or Varanasi is an ancient holy city of Hindus. It is also known as Banaras. It is at the banks of river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, India. Mark Twain, considered as the father of the American literature, told about Banaras,”Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” People believe that Kashi is the abode of Lord Shiva and, here, death is as pleasant as birth. Scriptures say "Kashyam maranam muktih", which means dying in Kashi is equal to attaining liberation. According to the popular belief, Lord Shiva utters a taraka mantra in the ears of a dying person in Kashi and gives moksha to them. Some believe that this mantra is the Ram Mantra, whereas others believe that it is Om. Others say that it is not about the mantra but the fact that Lord Shiva himself is becoming the guru for these dying people that help them attain liberation. It is a widespread belief that if on...