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CONTENTS.
Preface
Introduction-By FITZEDWARD HALL, Esq., D.C.L.
CHAPTER I.
Early history of Benares.-Sanctity of the city.-Mythic cha-
racter of Indian history.-Ancient Buddhist records respecting
Benares.-Sákya Muni, or Buddha, preached the doctrine of
Buddhism first in Benares.-Antiquity of Benares. - Hiouen
Thsang's account of his visit to the city in the seventh century
of the Christian era.-Macaulay's description of Benares.-Con-
nexion of Benares with the religious history of half the human
race. - Its connexion with Buddhism. Life and labours of
Buddha.-Benares subsequent to the fall of Buddhism in India.
-The Brahman.-Sons of the Ganges.-Devotees and pilgrims.
-Benares, the religious centre of India
CHAPTER II.
No Architectural remains dating prior to the third century
before Christ yet found in India.—Ancient Hindu Edifices of
the primitive period, not of a rude character.-Did the Hindus
borrow from the Assyrian and Persian Sculptors ?-Ancient
remains found chiefly in the northern quarter of the city.-
Mohammedan lust for Hindu edifices.-Shifting tendency of the
modern city. Origin of the appellation "Benares."
CHAPTER III.
Puranic form of Modern Hinduism.-Increase of Temples in
Northern India.-Number of Temples in Benares.-Temple of
Bisheswar, the idol-king of Benares.-Ancient Temple of
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Bisheswar, now a Mohammedan Mosque.-The Well Gyán
Bápí.-Temple of Ad-Bisheswar.-The Well Káśí Karwaṭ.-
Temple of Saníchar. The goddess Annpúrná and her temple.-
Temples of Gaṇeś and Sukreswar
-
CHAPTER IV.
Temple of Bhaironáth, the god-magistrate of Benares.-
Danḍpán, or the Deified Staff.-Temple of the Planet.-Kál-
kúp, or Well of Fate.-Image of Mahákál, or Great Fate.-The
Manikarniká Well and Ghát.-Legends respecting the Well.-
Temple of Tárakeś war.-Sindhia Ghát, and the Raja of Nag-
pore's Ghát.-Temple of Briddhkál.-Shrines of Márkandeswar
and Daksheswar. Legend of Raja Daksh. Temples of
Alpmriteswar and Ratneswar.
CHAPTER V.
Legend respecting Divodás. - Temple of Divodáseśwar.
The Well Dharm-kúp.-Rádhá-Krishna.-The Nág-Kúán, or
Serpent's Well.-Old Images.-Temples of Bágeśwari, Jwara-
hareswar, and Siddheswar.
CHAPTER VI.
37
. 61
82
Benares, Káśí, and Kedár, the three Grand Divisions of the
city. No old Hindu Temples in Benares.-Puranic character
of the Káśí Division of the City.-No trustworthy information
concerning Ancient Buildings to be obtained either from Hindus
or from their sacred writings.-Preference of the Old Fanes by
Pilgrims.—Trilochan Temple.-Legends respecting Trilochan.
-The Idolater's idea of the benefit resulting from Worshipping
in this Temple.-Kot Lingeswar.-Nának Sháh, the Sikh Guru.
-Painting in the Trilochan Temple, depicting the Punishments
of Hell.-Trilochan Ghát.-Gáe Ghát.-Temples of Nirbud-
dheswar and Ad Mahadeva.-Gor Jí, the Gujarati Brahman. . 93
CHAPTER VII.
Panchgangá Ghát.-Legends respecting it.-Lakshmaṇbálá
Temple. The Minarets.-Temple of Kámeśwar.-The Machau-
darí Tírth or Place of Pilgrimage..
. . 107
CHAPTER VIII.
Temple of Jágeswar, a Resort of the Native Aristocracy of
Benares.-Kásí-Deví, Goddess of the City of Benares.-Karn-
ghanța Táláo or Tank.-Temple of the Demon Bhút-Bhairo.—
Temple of Bará Gaṇeś.-Jagannath.-Satís
CHAPTER IX.
The Piśách-Mochan Tank.-Legend of the Goblin Piśách.-
The Festival of Lotá-Bhanța, or the Egg-plant.-The Ghats and
Temple of Pisách-Mochan.-Súraj-Kund or Tank of the Sun.-
The Hom or Burnt Sacrifice. The god Ashṭáng-Bhairo.
Temple of Dhruveśwar or the Pole Star
CHAPTER X.
The Mán-Mandil Ghát.-Temple of Dálbhyeswar.-Temple
of the Moon or Someswar. The Mán-Mandil Observatory,
erected by Raja Jay Sinh.-Description of its Instruments.-
The Nepalese Temple
116
123
129
CHAPTER XI.
Daśáśamedh Ghát and Temple.-Legend of Daśáśamedh.—
Siddheswari Temple.-Chandra Kúp, or Well of the Moon.-
Temple of the goddess Sankatá Deví.-Sankatá Ghát.-Rám
Ghát . .
. 139
CHAPTER XII.
The Bengali population of Benares.-The popular Temple of
Kedareswar.-Legend of Kedár.-Mánsarwar Tank and sur-
rounding Temples. Bál-Krishna and Chaturbhuj Idols. -
Máneswar Temple.-The great Image of Tilubhaṇḍeśwar.-
Ancient mutilated Statue.-Temple of Duláreswar.—Peepul
tree at Chaukí Ghát.-Swinging gods
CHAPTER XIII.
. . 146
Durga Kund Temple.-Bloody Sacrifices; their meaning.—
Sacred Monkeys.-Legend of Durg and Durgá.-Durga Kund
or Tank.-Kurukshetr Táláo or Tank.-The Lolárik Kúán or
Well.-Ancient Sculptures
. 157
CHAPTER XIV.
Temple of the Maharaja of Benares at Rámnagar. - Raja
Cheit Singh's Tank.-Virtue of Pilgrimage to the Rámnagar
side of Benares.-Temple of Vedavyás.-Panch-kosí Road, or
Sacred Boundary of Benares.-Pilgrimage of the Panch-kosí.
-Sanitary condition of Benares.-Improvements suggested. . 169
CHAPTER XV.
Barna Sangam, or Confluence of the Barna and Ganges.-
Ad-keśav Temple.-Barna Ghát.-Ráj Ghat Fort; its use in
1857.-Remains of Buddhist Monastery.-Tank of Bhairo.-
Lát or Pillar of Siva.-Ancient Pillar.-Account of Dis-
turbance in Benares when the Pillar was thrown down.-The
Ghazeepore Road.-Ancient Bridge over the Barna
CHAPTER XVI.
Sivála Ghát.-The Old Fort.-Raja Cheit Singh; History
of his Insurrection and of the proceedings of Warren Hastings
in connexion therewith
184
197
CHAPTER XVII.
Hindu and Mohammedan Melás or Religious Festivals, held
periodically, in Benares
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Buddhist Ruins at Sárnáth-Their Antiquity.-Sum-
mary of the Narratives of Fa Hian and Hiouen Thsang,
respecting the buildings formerly existing at Sárnáth and in
its neighbourhood.-Points of agreement in the Narratives.-
Modern Explorers of the Ruins.-Extent and Nature of the
Remains. The Great Tower: Description of it by Major-
General Cunningham, and account of his Excavations.—Age
of Buddhist Topes or Towers.-Remains of a Buddhist Mon-
astery Mr. Thomas's Account of them.-Discovery of large
numbers of Statues and Bass-reliefs.-Excavated Chamber.—
Foundation of an Ancient Tower-Major-General Cunning-
ham's Description of it.-The Chaukandi Tower.-The I'śipat-
tana Hall, or abode of Buddhist Devotees.-Remains of Vihára
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