Once on earth, every kingdom was destroyed, the existence of mankind was in danger by not abiding by the law of Dharma. Indian system is divided in four casts Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya & Shudra; all four are born from Adi Pursha’s four parts. Brahmans are born from the mouth of the eternal Purusha, Kshatriya from hand & chest part, Vaishya from thigh & Shudra from feet. Each one has certain duties of their nature. Kashtriya resides as king & reign the kingdom by the law of Dharma. But at that time Dharma was not in nature anymore. The existence of Gods depends on the deeds of human, so they feared if mankind would be destroyed, they will have no existence as well. They searched & found Divodas who was the only king abiding the law of Dharma living in the forest of bliss. Gods asked him to reign Kashi & re-establish the earth on the law of Dharma. Divodas’ condition was that if only Gods will leave Kashi, he will reside on the throne of Kashi. Having no other options, god accepted his condition & let him reside on the throne of Kashi & left for Mandarachal Mountain. By his power of Dharma Divodas re-established the city. Everyone had everything in this city of Kashi & law of Dharma was established. Many years later when gods craved to come to Kashi again they could find no way to enter in the city. They came in different forms to find a single fault of king & by the violation of pact they will enter the city. Living few years in the city, they were conditioned by the law of Dharma & became residents of Kashi in Divodas kingdom. They forgot their virtues & followed Divodas. Lord Vishnu is one of them. As per the scriptures, Lord Vishnu donated Kashi in charity to Lord Shiva as per his request. After receiving Kashi from Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva donated half of this sacred city back to Lord Vishnu. As a gesture of gratitude to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva created Vishnu Kunda at the Manikarnika Ghat. The Vishnu Kunda is also called as Manikarnika Kunda because Lord Shiva’s pearl studded ear-ring had once fallen in this Kunda. Any devotee who takes a bath in this Kunda at 12 pm is released from the shackles of birth and death.
Kashi is a very important place of pilgrimage located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This city is one among the sapta moksha-puris – the cities where one can achieve liberation. Kashi is divided into two parts – Vishnu Kashi and Shiva Kashi. From Manikarnika Ghat to the Adi Keshava Ghat, the city is known as the Vishnu Kashi. From Manikarnika Ghat till Assi Ghat, this sacred city is known by the name Shiva Kashi. Lord Vishnu is so much allured by the charm of Kashi, in result of which he established himself in Kashi in Eighteen places expressing himself in eighteen different forms. When Rishi Agnibindu asked Lord Vishnu that how many other statues of Lord Vishnu are established in Kashi, then Lord Keshav (Another name of Lord Vishnu) described him about his following temples.
