Kashi Yatra Piligrimage Services

Kashi Yatra Piligrimage and its Significance

Historical Context and Revival

Until the mid-16th century, hundreds of Pradakshina (circumambulation) pilgrimages were conducted in Kashi. However, during the Mughal era, these traditions vanished and their existence nearly came to an end.

The revival began under the guidance of Dandi Swami Shri Karpatri Ji Maharaj. His supreme disciple, Dandi Swami Shri Shivanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj, started the significant work of rediscovering these pilgrimage routes on the day of Phalgun Krishna Ekadashi in 1979. Along with him, Shri Kanhaiya Lal Gupta and Sw. Baidyanath Ji played an invaluable role in breathing new life into these yatras.

Currently, Shri Kanhaiya Lal Gupta’s son and the coordinator of the Kashi Pradakshina Yatra Committee, Shri Umashankar Gupta ji (pictured above), organizes these pilgrimages almost every Saturday. In recent years, many foreign devotees have also started participating.

Meet Shri Umashankar Gupta ji (+91 9336848739)

Shri Umashankar Ji recalls that his father, Shri Kanhaiya Lal Ji, used to visit various temples every Sunday. During one such visit, they met Dandi Swami Shri Shivanand Ji, who inspired them to restart these formal Pradakshina journeys. The first journey started with about 30–40 people, including men and women. Encouraged by this, they began organizing weekly yatras to temples such as Shri Kashi Vishwanath, Shri Kedarnath, Shri Omkareshwar, and Nav Durga.

Shri Umashankar Ji mentions that the committee organizes these journeys free of charge. Arrangements for food and resting stops (Padao) for the pilgrims have been regularly managed for the last two decades.

After the initial Sankalp, pilgrims begin the journey chanting slogans like “Chhatrapati He, Nange Paon, Har Har Mahadev, Sambho Kashi Vishwanath Gange!” While walking, they have darshan (viewing) of the temple spires they encounter and visit designated temples for worship.

Spiritual Significance according to the Puranas

According to the Puranas, Kashi was created by Lord Vishwanath himself. Mother Ganga is situated at the “crest” of Kashi in such a way that it appears as if the Moon is seated on Lord Shiva’s head. There is such power in the air and soil of Kashi that it inspires its residents to “swim across the ocean of faith.”

The Kashi Mahatmay (Chapter 4, Shlokas 27, 28) states:

“All the holy pilgrimage sites and temples located in the three worlds (Trilok) exist within Kashi. Because Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma granted a boon to all gods and goddesses that they would always reside here with their 16 arts (Kala).”

Therefore, after the Pralaya (great dissolution), when the creation of the universe begins again, all gods and goddesses return to Kashi with their respective arts. Because all deities reside here, a person who performs a pilgrimage or resides in Kashi does not need to go to any other pilgrimage site.

The Power of Intention (Sankalp)

According to the scriptures, any religious ritual begins and ends with a Sankalp (a formal vow or intention). Without completing the Sankalp, one does not receive the full fruit of the ritual.

During the Sankalp, the pilgrim takes water, rice (Akshat), flowers, and a coin in their hand, meditates on their deity, and prays while a Brahmin chants the Sankalp Mantra. There are three main Sankalps for the Pradakshina Yatra:

1. First Sankalp (The Beginning): The pilgrim prays to their deity that the journey may be completed without obstacles and that they may receive the spiritual fruits.

2. Second Sankalp (The Return): Upon returning to the starting point, the pilgrim performs this vow to offer their respects to the deity for a safe journey.

3. Third Sankalp (Completion): Finally, the pilgrim prays for forgiveness for any known or unknown sins or mistakes committed during the journey and throughout their life, requesting the desired spiritual rewards before concluding the pilgrimage.

Authored by: Pritam Soni

For custom yatras or yatras not listed here please contact Umashankar Gupta ji (+91 9336848739) for assistance