India is the place where many different beliefs and practices co-exist. Faith is so deeply ingrained in the many shrines and religious places here that it leaves even a non-worshipper perplexed.
If there is a place famous for its death tourism, for its macabre and ghoul atmosphere, Manikarnika's name tops the list. One can see the funeral pyre burning all day and all night non-stop. People say the fire never have once seen extinguished in three thousand years.
Nearly all the stories that revolve around the Ghat are linked with the two most amorously beloved couples of the Hindu Mythology: Lord Shiva and his beautiful wife Ma Parvati. The story goes like this: The Great Preserver of the Universe Lord Vishnu requested Lord Shiva, who is known as the Destroyer of the Universe not to destroy the holy city of Kashi in the planned annihilation of the world.
Lord Shiva was curious about why Vishnu held Kashi in such high regard. He along with his wife came to Kashi and was pleased by its majestic surrounding and its purity. He promised Vishnu that Kashi would be left in peace. He further announced that Kashi would be the Gateway of Heaven and all souls who seek paradise must pass through it. Therefore Kashi became a sanctuary for all.
But something happened. While bathing in the pious water of Ganga, an earning from the Lord's ear fell into the swift-flowing crystal water. Since then the Ghat has been known as Manikarnika (Mani refers to the jewel in the earring and Karnam to the ear). Lord Shiva lit a fire and Parvati stepped into the river to find the lost earring. Unable to find it, she became angry and cursed the Ghat with death pyres burning forever.
The peace was lost and the mesmerising beauty of Kashi transformed into Hades in real. This Ghat has the largest cremation grounds for Varanasi and the fire never extinguishes here. Pyres are lined up waiting to be burned thus living up to the curse.
Till now, Science has failed to understand the reason for the continuous burning pyre. People all around the world visit this place and gifts funeral logs for the cremation of the bodies.
The leaning Temple of Kashi built on this Ghat and the burning of logs by the eternal fire creates a death stillness, so attractive that Manikarnika has earned a rightful place as one of the mysterious place of the world.
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