Kashi Vishwanath Tilakotsav Preparations Begin, Centuries-Old Tradition Revived in Varanasi

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH: Kashi is all set to dive into devotion as preparation for Tilakotsav of Baba Vishwanath begins on the occasion of Basant Panchami. According to centuries old tradition, the ceremonial tilak of the Panchbadan movable idol of Baba Vishwanath is performed every year on Basant Panchami at the former Mahant’s residence located at Tedinim. This ritual is observed as “Lokachar” in which the entire city symbolically participates in offering auspicious blessings to the deity.

This year, for the first time, the responsibility of organising the Tilakotsav has been taken up by the Mahant’s family of the Siddhapeeth Badi Sheetla Mata Mandir at Dashashwamedh. With this the series of traditional rituals associated with the divine wedding of Baba Vishwanath will formally commence. These rituals continue until Rangbhari Ekadashi, when the goddess Gauri’s gaunna to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is celebrated.

According to Up-Mahant Avshesh Pandey (Kallu Maharaj), the honour of organising Tilakotsav is given to a different Kashi resident family every year and this time it has been given to the Badi Sheetla Mata Mandir Family. On Thursday, all ceremonial items will be brought from the temple to the Shri Yantra Peeth at Bhasphatak, from where the traditional rituals will begin on Friday evening at an auspicious time.

The event will feature special worship by 11 Vedic Brahmins, accompanied by the sound of auspicious shehnai. The Tilakotsav will be performed before the evening Saptarshi Aarti at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, marking the spiritual beginning of Baba Vishwanath’s wedding festivals in Kashi.