Revered as the eternal city and the abode of Lord Shiva, Kashi (Varanasi) holds immense spiritual significance. Performing antim sanskar or asti visarjan in Kashi is believed to help the deceased seek Lord Shiva blessings, attain moksha, and break the cycle of death and rebirth.
Because of these reasons, devotees from across India and the world visit Kashi to perform this important ritual.
Let's understand in detail why Kashi holds so much importance for antim sanskar and last rites.
Spiritual Significance Of Kashi
According to Hindu texts like the Garuda Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kashi Khanda, they describe the spiritual significance of performing last rites in Kashi:
1. The Divine Promise: Lord Shiva And The Taraka Mantra
According to the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva himself resides in Kashi as Vishwanath. It is believed that when the soul leaves the body, Lord Shiva whispers the Taraka Mantra, the mantra of liberation, into the right ear, removing their karmic debts instantly.
This makes it the most revered place for conducting final rites, including Asthi Visarjan.
According to the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva himself resides in Kashi as Vishwanath (Image: Pexels)
2. The Sacred Fire That Never Dies: Manikarnika And Harishchandra Ghats
Kashi has two primary burning ghats where the sacred pyres have burned continuously for thousands of years:
Manikarnika Ghat: Revered as the central point of cosmic creation and destruction. Legend holds that Goddess Parvati dropped her ear ornament (manikarnika) here while Lord Shiva dug a pond.
Death here is not mourned. Instead, it is celebrated as a rite of passage into ultimate freedom.
Harishchandra Ghat: Named after King Harishchandra, who sacrificed his kingdom and worked at this cremation ground to uphold Dharma (truth). It remains one of the oldest grounds for performing dignified, traditional last rites.
Kashi has two primary burning ghats where the sacred pyres have burned continuously for thousands of years (Image: Pexels)
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3. The Purifying Power Of The Sacred Ganga
At Varanasi, the holy Ganga flows north, flowing back toward her source in the Himalayas. This northward movement symbolically represents the soul moving backwards away from worldly attachments and heading straight toward divinity.
That is why performing the ritual of Asti isarjan here is believed to purify the astral body and accelerate the soul's journey upward.
4. The Role Of Kashi's Tirtha Purohits
One of the main reasons to perform Antim Sanskar, Pind Daan, or Shraddha in Kashi is the presence of traditional Tirtha Purohits. These Vedic scholars ensure every step of the 16th Sanskar is performed according to strict scriptural guidelines, ensuring karmic benefits for seven generations of ancestors.
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Thus, performing Asthi Visarjan and last rites in Kashi is not just a ritual. It is an act of ultimate love, duty, and devotion toward the departed.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between Antim Sanskar and Pind Daan in Kashi?
Antim Sanskar refers to the actual cremation and immediate funeral rites performed right after death. Pind Daan is a ritual offering of rice/flour balls performed either during the mourning period or during Pitru Paksha to offer peace and nourishment to departed ancestors.
2. Why do people bring ashes to Kashi from far away?
If cremation takes place elsewhere, family members bring the ashes to Kashi for Asti Visarjan so the deceased can still receive the spiritual benefit of the sacred Ganges and Shiva’s blessing of liberation.