DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.614#0083
47
is, therefore, a common reply which one receives, on
inquiring the date of any given shrine, that it is with-
out date, and has always existed. These original sites
are numerous; and each has a history of its own. For
instance, the pandits say that Ganes is worshipped in
fifty-six places, the goddess Togani in sixty-four, Durga
in nine, Bhairo in eight, Siva in eleven, Vishnu in
one, and the Sun in twelve; all which date from the
mythical period, when Divodasa, the famous Eaja of
Benares, whose name is a household word among
the people, was prevailed on to permit the gods to
return to their ancient and sacred home. But these
places do not, by any means, represent the present
number of shrines at which these deities are venerated.
Ganes especially, the god of wisdom, son of S'iva
and Parvati, is very extensively worshipped in Benares ;
and there is scarcely a temple in some niche or corner
of which his monstrous figure may not be found.
The temple receiving the highest meed of honour
in the whole city is that dedicated to the god Bishes-
war, or S'iva, whose image is the linga, a plain conical
stone set on end. Bisheswar is the reigning deity
of Benares, and, in the opinion of the people, holds
the position of king over all the other deities, as well
as over all the inhabitants residing, not only within the
city itself, but also within the circuit of the Panch-
kosi road or sacred boundary of Benares, extending
for nearly fifty miles. In issuing his orders, he acts
through Bhaironath, who is the deified Jcotwdl or god-
magistrate of Benares and its extensive suburbs. Every
matter of importance is presumed to be brought in a
is, therefore, a common reply which one receives, on
inquiring the date of any given shrine, that it is with-
out date, and has always existed. These original sites
are numerous; and each has a history of its own. For
instance, the pandits say that Ganes is worshipped in
fifty-six places, the goddess Togani in sixty-four, Durga
in nine, Bhairo in eight, Siva in eleven, Vishnu in
one, and the Sun in twelve; all which date from the
mythical period, when Divodasa, the famous Eaja of
Benares, whose name is a household word among
the people, was prevailed on to permit the gods to
return to their ancient and sacred home. But these
places do not, by any means, represent the present
number of shrines at which these deities are venerated.
Ganes especially, the god of wisdom, son of S'iva
and Parvati, is very extensively worshipped in Benares ;
and there is scarcely a temple in some niche or corner
of which his monstrous figure may not be found.
The temple receiving the highest meed of honour
in the whole city is that dedicated to the god Bishes-
war, or S'iva, whose image is the linga, a plain conical
stone set on end. Bisheswar is the reigning deity
of Benares, and, in the opinion of the people, holds
the position of king over all the other deities, as well
as over all the inhabitants residing, not only within the
city itself, but also within the circuit of the Panch-
kosi road or sacred boundary of Benares, extending
for nearly fifty miles. In issuing his orders, he acts
through Bhaironath, who is the deified Jcotwdl or god-
magistrate of Benares and its extensive suburbs. Every
matter of importance is presumed to be brought in a