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The "Authentic Large Map of the Kashi Region" represents the sacred city of Varanasi (Kashi), embodying its identity as a tirtha, a site of spiritual transcendence and liberation (moksha). This map, like its 19th-century predecessors, portrays the religious and cultural essence of Kashi, emphasizing its status as a place where divine energy converges, granting purity and merit to pilgrims and devotees. The visual design integrates historical, religious, and modern elements, reflecting its dynamic evolution into the 20th century.
The present example was published by Thakur Prasad & Sons, which had a branch office in Kachanrigali -Varanasi. OCLC shows that all but one of the company's imprints were issued between 1965 and 1968.
The map features prominent landmarks integral to the spiritual topography of Kashi. Central among these is the Temple of Lord Vishwanath (Kashi Vishwanath), one of the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, surrounded by other significant temples, such as the Temple of Annapurna. The map also illustrates the Ghats lining the Ganges River, central to the city's ritual life, where pilgrims perform ablutions and rites aimed at spiritual liberation. Deities and mythological vignettes appear throughout, embedding the cosmology of Hinduism into the city's geography.
This map distinctly incorporates key markers of Kashi's modernization. The inclusion of Banaras Hindu University (founded in 1916), railway stations, and the iron bridge constructed in 1887 signify the city's integration into modern infrastructure and its continued importance as a hub of education and travel. The Bharat Mata Mandir (Mother India Temple), established in 1936 by Shivprasad Gupta and featuring a map of undivided India, demonstrates how the city serves not only as a religious nucleus but also as a symbol of Indian nationalism and unity. The Tulsi Manas Mandir, built in 1966, and Swami Bhaskarananda's Samadhi at Durgakunda reflect the ongoing contributions of modern saints and institutions to the sacred aura of Kashi.
Place names shown include:
Text: श्रीकाशी विश्वनाथ जी का मंदिर
Translation: "Temple of Lord Vishwanath (Kashi Vishwanath Temple)"
Text: अन्नपूर्णा मंदिर
Translation: "Temple of Annapurna"
Text: दुर्गा कुंड
Translation: "Durga Kund (Durga Pond)"
Text: भारत माता मंदिर
Translation: "Bharat Mata Mandir (Mother India Temple)"
Text: बनारस हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय
Translation: "Banaras Hindu University"
Text: रेलवे स्टेशन
Translation: "Railway Station"
Text: गंगा नदी
Translation: "Ganga River (River Ganges)"
Text: दशाश्वमेध घाट
Translation: "Dashashwamedh Ghat (A famous ghat on the Ganges)"
Text: तुलसी मानस मंदिर
Translation: "Tulsi Manas Mandir (Temple of Tulsi Manas)"
Mythological and Iconographic Elements include:
Text (Border): शिव विवाह
Translation: "Marriage of Shiva"
Text (Border): नटराज
Translation: "Nataraja (Dancing Shiva)"
Text (Border): काशी मुक्ती
Translation: "Kashi Liberation"
Text (Border): मातंगी
Translation: "Matangi (One of the Mahavidyas, forms of the Goddess)"
Text (Border): त्रिशूल
Translation: "Trident (symbol of Lord Shiva)"
