Places to See in Varanasi - Baba Gorakhnath's Tila in Varanasi

In the beginning of the 11th century, Saint Gorakhnath(popularly known as baba Gorakhnath) established the 'Gorakhnath Ka Tila' in the Maldahiya area of Varanasi. Baba Gorakhnath belonged to the Nath community which believed in the 'yogini Kaul Marg'. The people of this community believed in the nine spiritual men or Nine Natha's who provided spiritual direction to the community.According to the followers of this sect, Lord Shiva himself was the first 'Nath' from whom the community originated.Towards the beginning of the 10th century, Matsyendranath worked in spreading the spiritual tenets of this sect.

In the 11th century , baba Gorakhnath followed in the footprints of Matsyendranath and made valuable contribution in spreading the Nath sect.By virtue of his loving nature and selfless service, he provided direction to the contemporary society at large. The key aspect of this belief system was that, it did not distinguish between the rich and poor, wak and strong and did not subscribe to elaborate ritualistic beliefs. He travelled across India to propagate this new thought. He also elaborated on this new sect and its beliefs in two treatises, the 'Gorakhshasiddhanta' and the 'Yogamarg'.

According to baba Gorakhnath, when a disciple manages to awaken his 'Kundalini', he attains a state of perpetual happiness and enlightenment and he merges with the omnipresent and omniscient Shiva.

Baba Gorakhnath set up his 'math'(or mutt) in maldahiya in Varanasi which came to be known as 'Gorakhnath ka Tila'. In this math, the followers worship Shiva, Matsyendranth and the 'Charan Paduka' or the wooden slippers of Baba Gorakhnath. The math also runs a school that serves to spread education among the poor masses. Baba Gorkahnath also established the Kali math near Lakshmikund, where he himself installed the idol of goddess Kali -one of the forms of mother goddess Shakti.

The prominent saints of the Nath sect were believed to practice the 'Abhed Marg', a system of strict rules to attain enlightenment. They did not follow or believe in the contemporary society's rules and beliefs. They even adopted a way of life that was considered outrageous by the contemporary hindu society.

A Brief History of Varanasi

As per recorded history, the foundation of modern Varanasi was laid by a man called Mansa Ram.

Mansa Ram worked for Meer Rustam Ali till 1738, who had bought the rights for the control and administration of the Varanasi(or Benaras) region from the then Nawab of Awadh. The Varanasi region was part of the kingdom of the Nawab of Audh who resided in Lucknow.Meer Rustam Ali had paid the Nawab of Audh, a sum of 8 lakh rupees or 8 hundred thousand rupees for the control over the region.Mansa Ram, it is believed, bought the rights for the Varanasi region from the Nawab by paying a astronomical sum of 12 lakh rupees. However, Mansa Ram passed away very soon and his son Balwant Singh came to occupy his position. Balwant Singh administered the Banaras region from 1738-39 to 1770. And it was during his rule that in 1754, the majestic fort at Ramnagar near Varanasi was built. The roal family of Varanasi still stays at the Ramnagar fort.

After the death of Balwant Singh in 1770, Maharaja Chet Singh took over the reign in Benaras.On the 18th of Aug in 1781, Warren Hastings, a British governor general plotted against Chet Singh and forced him to give up his Kingship replacing him instead with his nephew, a very young Mahip Narayan Singh who was made the king. Later Vibhuti Narayan Singh became the King of Varanasi.IN 1916, King Vibhuti Narayan Singh donated many acres of land at the behest of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya to set up the world famous Banaras Hindu University.

During the sepoy mutiny of 1857 against the british rule, the dissent of soldiers at Banaras was soon suppressed. However, the short lived agitation had served a warning to the britishers and they converted the Banaras military post in to a full fledged military headquarters and they monitored the security of the GT road from this post and troops to the north and western fronts were always sent from Banaras.

After the independence of India in 1947, Banaras(Varanasi) became part of the state of Uttar Pradesh of the republic of India.

The present King of Kashi(or Varanasi) is Kunwar Anant Narayan Singh who resides at the Ramnagar Fort. He actively presides over the major cultural fests of Varanasi like the Ramlila and Naag Nathaiya. Although a ceremonial figure, he is respected by the people of Varanasi.