Kabir Muth is located on Kabir Road at Lehartara in Varanasi. Muth translates to monastery in English but the Kabir Muth is not all equal to a monastery. It is more like a pilgrimage place, a temple and Samadhisthal. Every year the Kabir Muth sees a large number of devotees and followers coming from across the world to commemorate birth anniversary of St. Kabir.
How to reach Kabir Muth in Varanasi :
Kabir Muth is located in Varanasi on Kabir Road. Anyone looking to visit the place can hire auto from Varanasi Cantt Railway Station and ask auto driver to reach Kabir Muth which is hardly 3 kms away from the place. If you are in any other part of the city you can take buses of Transport Corporation and taxies to reach Kabir Muth.
Location of Kabir Muth, Kabirchaura Varanasi :
Kabir math is located in the Kabirchaura Varanasi at C 23/5 Kabirchaura, Varanasi, 221001.
About Kabirchaura Muth :
Kabirchaura Muth is famous as work place of St. Kabir, his childhood, upbringing and things related to him are preserved here. There are a lot of things to see like Neeru-Neema Teela, Samadhi Temple, Bijak Temple, library and statues related to the happenings of Kabir’s life. Kabirchaura Muth is the focal point of Kabirpanth. It is said to be visited by all Kabirpanthis once in a life. It is also a place of debate over legacy of Bhakti Movement by great Indian and foreign scholars. Kabir Muth is the building which developed in a huge area that was someday used by Kabir. It is said to be the Prakatya Dham of St. Kabir where he emerged.
The Kabir Muth is basically a building that is full of smaller buildings. It has more historical and spiritual relevance than architectural. It has Lehartara Tal, Kabir’s Hut, Chabutara, Samadhi Tempel, Bijak Tempel, Khadau and much more.
Kabir has a great contribution for India in field of literature, religion and culture. Though illiterate himself Kabir always taught and his teachings still teach a lesson of Humanity to the world. His thoughts are relevant as basis provider to communal harmony. Kabir is still alive with his great lessons of humanity, credulity and humility. He ridiculed religious bigotry and dogma.
Kabir played a great role in uniting India and he would ever inspire Indians to be logical, humane and reasonable.
Kabir Muth Lehartara Varanasi :
Lehartara is the place of emergence and life of St. Kabir. It is located about 6km from Kabirchaura Muth and about 3km from Varanasi Cantt Railway Station. Leharatara Pond has special significance which is situated a little farther from the Muth.
Neeru was a weaver and follower of Islam. The couple, Neeru and Neema lived at the same place where Neeru Teela is located. It is said that on Full Moon of Jyeshtha in the year 1456 Neeru and Neema were returning from the Mandur village currently Manduadih to Naraharpura, currently Kabirchaura. In evening they thought to take some rest as they were very tired in the marriage ceremony from which they were returning. They were feeling relax under the cool shade of the trees along Lehartara Pond. They were thirsty and went to the pond to quench their thirst. As soon as they sipped the water taking from the pond they heard the cry of an infant. They were surprised to see the baby Kabir. At once Neema took the baby in her lap. After a great dilemma they took the baby home and started nourishing. St. Kabir grew up and became a great spiritual
As his parents were a weaver they Kabir chose weaving as his profession. St. Kabir was shown path by his Guru Ramananda and soon he came in limelight. The construction has been done to commemorate the events of life of Kabir. India would be always grateful to his devotion that he shown people to bring out from the darkness of ignorance.
Places of Interest in Kabir Muth :
- Neeru Teela
- Neeru-Neema Samadhi
- Bijak Temple
- Samadhi Mandir
- Karagha
- Remains of tane-bane
- Resting place of Kabir
- Sidha jal Ka kuan
- Khadau
- Clay Vessel
- Garland
- Trident
- Acharya peetha Mulagadi
- Acharya Samadhi
- Well of Kashi Naresh
- Museum
- Statues
Saint Kabir’s Hut :
After indoctrination under Saint Ramanada his disciple saint Kabir became a great spiritual. To listen to his sermons people from across the city started to pour in. For catering to the need of the people he needed another hut and the hut present is the same hut that was used by saint Kabir to sermonize people.
Saint Kabir’s Chabutara :
Chabutara in Hindi means a raised place or better to say a platform. Saint Kabir’s Chabutara is the same platform used by St. Kabir on which he stood to address to the people. After time passed a big mandapa was built for the purpose. That mandapa was called the Upadesha Sthal. Upadesha means sermon in Hindi and Sthal is a place.
Samadhi Temple :
Samadhi Temple was built by ruler of Varanasi King Veerdev Singh in the year 1578. It was built at the place where Kabir used to meditate and worship his formless god.
Khadau of Saint Kabir :
Khadau in Hindi is a wooden slipper without ribbons. Saints as well as people in ancient times used to wear it as it is made of wood which is a pious thing in Indian Culture while leather is unpious as it is made of skin of any animal after taking its life. Khadau of St. Kabir is kept in Smriti Kaksha. Mahatma Gandhi visited the place in 1934 during freedom struggle. He regretted the disgraceful condition of this Great Saint who gave much to India. After that the Khadau was kept in glass case.
Kashtha Patra :
: Kashtha in Hindi means wooden and patra is a vessel so the Kashtha Patra was the vessel used by St. Kabir to drink water. It is said to be 600 years old.
Gorakhpanthi Trishul :
Trident has its name as Gorakhpanthi as it was gifted by a saint of Gorakhpanthi branch of Bhakti cult. The Trident is also kept in Smriti Kaksha. A wreath made of wooden beads is also put there which is said to belong to St. Ramananda. St. Ramananda gave this wreath to his disciple Kabir. AcharyaPeethMulagadi is also conserved there. There is a meditation room to the left of the entrance gate for the head preacher. Smriti Kaksha also has Charkha, the spindle used by Kabir to spin thread.
Neeru Teela :
Neeru was the father of St. Kabir. This is the place where St. Kabir was brought up by his parents and lived. The whole life from childhood to becoming saint Kabir remained at this place with his parents and so it has great importance.
Saint Kabir’s Pustakalya :
The library has 700 manuscripts and several compilations of great saint Kabir’s poetry. Library is the vital part of Kabir Muth. The library has all books related to his life or published on him. Manuscripts of Bijak and religious scriptures are well preserved here.
Prakashan Kendra of Muth:
Kabir Muth has its own publishing house which is called Kabirvani Prakshan Kendra. This publication publishes books comics and religious stories related to St. Kabir and his teachings. Some of published books are Bijak, Satya Kabir Ki Sakhi, Kabir Granthavali, Guru Granth Sahib and Shabdavali. Mahabijak is combined form of all works on Kabir, his teachings and biography.