Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest cities that have always been inhabited. In Hinduism, it has a special place and is thought to be Lord Shiva’s home. Located in the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is a major Hindu pilgrimage site where devotees come to purify themselves. For countless generations, Hindus have made the journey to the holy land of Varanasi (Kashi). It is widely held that the water of the Ganges in Varanasi can cleanse the sins of those who bath in them. Many Hindus come to the city to take their last breath or to bring their dead bodies on their last journey to moksha, or salvation.
Apart from temples, Varanasi also has a lot of wellness resorts where people can find peace, heal, and learn more about themselves. From peaceful ashrams in the middle of nature to high-end spa resorts, it has a wide range of places to go for a life-changing health journey. However, people come here not only to enjoy the life but also to end their lives. Yes! The city has a unique place where people come to die.
The Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan is a charity-run home for the old and people who are very sick. It is tucked away in the winding streets of a busy city. It invites people to spend their last days in Varanasi and have their ashes spread in the Ganges.
Mukti Bhawan: A Place for the Eternal Search for Liberation
Moksha refers to the spiritual liberation and complete release that one attains upon death. Hindus think that they can reach Moksha when they give up all the joys of the materialistic world and become one with their inner self. Hindus believe that if you reach Moksha on your deathbed, you are freed from the circle of life and death and your soul is freed for good. Hindus believe that when a person dies, their soul moves to a new body based on their actions, or karma. In the best cases, they are reborn as people. In the worst cases, they are reborn as animals or plants.
People go to all kinds of lengths to reach Moksha. Hindus think that if they die in Varanasi, they get Moksha, which means salvation. For this reason, there is a unique place called “Mukti Bhawan” in Varanasi where people can wait for their death.For those looking to end their life in the holy city of Kashi can come to this place which is also referred to as “Death Hostel”. But before you come to any conclusions, let us tell you that the hotel is not a place where people can commit suicide. Also, no one is killed out of kindness there. Mukti Bhawan is a place where people can stay only if they are on their deathbed.
Take a Trip to the Land of Spiritual Excellence
Varanasi is not only the oldest city but also the city with much uniqueness. It has several incredible temples which make this city “The city of temples”. Varanasi is also famous for Banarasi Sarees. Apart from common occupation, many people in the city make their living from death. This includes the Doms, who are an untouchable group of Hindus who work at cremation sites. Other includes the astrologers and priests who gather at the river side for performing various spiritual activities. Part of this city that makes it more interesting for tourists, especially foreigners, is that here they can watch people die.
A hotel in Varanasi called Mukti Bhawan, offers the old way of Moksha. This peaceful house comforts the broken and the lost on their journey to ultimate freedom. The priests who live in the house do routines and rites that help the dying leave this world in peace. Most people who don’t have families, come here to find peace. Mukti Bhawan is a lot like Kashi was in the past. People thought that when they said they were going to Kashi, they would spend the rest of their lives there to find Moksha, or salvation.
Looking at the Past
In 1908, Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan, a two-story building with 12 big but dirty rooms was built. In 1958, a wealthy businessman and charity named JaidDayalDalmia turned it into an assisted living facility. The shelter is open to people of all religions, and there is no need to make a reservation ahead of time. Even though it pays for all the ceremonies and cremation costs, it does not accept gifts.
There are no medicines or other ways to speed up death, so people have to wait for their time to come. If they don’t die within the time limit, they are asked to leave gently, and some have gone back to their homes still alive.
Experience Holiness at Mukti Bhawan, Varanasi
Mukti Bhawan is a place where people can stay if they want to die in Varanasi. A trip to Mukti Bhawan could be a kind of vision that helps you see your own life in a new light.Mukti Bhawan, Varanasi is one of the oldest and the most unique accommodations in India. Located on the banks of the holy Ganges River in Varanasi, it offers a great spiritual experience to one who stays there.
About 300 people visit the ashram every year, and almost all of them reach their goal. On average, only 5% are sent back home, which makes them sad because they think that, it is bad luck to have missed out on a “Kashi-death.”
Mukti Bhawan has only 12 dark rooms without any luxury. Over time, the place has become well-known, and a movie was even made about it. Even though other salvation houses opened in Varanasi, Mukti Bhawan was still the largest.
A Tour to Kashi’s Mukti Bhawan
Mukti Bhawan is one of the unusual “death hotels” that have been around in Varanasi to help old people get what they want. When you go to Mukti Bhawan, it’s like you find out something new about your own life. It makes you realize that death is real and teaches you some things about life at the same time.
With the ringing of bells and the loud chanting of Sanskrit shlokas (holy verses) and bhajans (devotional songs), a very religious mood is made inside the hotel. Soon, the excitement of the morning aarti (a religious ceremony) dies down, and the Bhawan goes back to its sad mood. Even though this is a house of death, the dim lighting and dull atmosphere seem to fit.During the evening Aarti of Lord Satyanarayan, Gangajal and Tulsi are given to the elders who are waiting for rescue so that they can breathe out easily.
Terms and Conditions of Mukti Bhawan
You might be surprised to learn that thousands of people visit Mukti Bhavan every year. When you stay at Mukti Bhawan, you have to follow a unique set of rules. It only has 12 rooms, a small temple, a priest, and everything else that guests might need. People who are sick can check in and stay for only two weeks. But if they are still living after two weeks, they will have to give up Mukti Bhawan and their room to someone else. After some time, a place can be looked for again in Mukti Bhawan, but the person who lived there before doesn’t get the preference.
Each sick person must have at least two family members stay with them. The shelter gives them simple things like a bed, some furniture, cooking gas, and a few cooking tools. At this simple hotel, the families of the dying guests are also given a place to stay and some basic amenities to help them deal with the hard situation of waiting for their loved ones to die. They have to pay a small fee of about 20 rupees ($0.24) a day to cover the cost of electricity, and the Dalmia Trust takes care of the rest. However, the poor are given free places to stay. Once the big day comes and the soul has found freedom, the body will be burned at Manikarnika Ghat.
How to Reach Mukti Bhawan
Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan is a sort of guest house for those seeking salvation. It is located at D – 48/149, Geeta Mandir Rd, near Girja Ghar Chauraha, Misir Pokhra, Nai Sadak, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221010. There are several routes one can take to get there, depending on preference.
By Air: If you are taking flight, the nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International airport. It is about 24 to 25 km from the Mukti Bhawan. From airport one can take taxi or book any road transport to reach Naisadak or Godaulia.
By Road:The convenient mode to reach Mukti Bhawan is through road transport. From the ChaudharyCharan Singh Bus Stop, the Mukti Bhawan is about 3.5 km. However, from any location you can easily get auto rickshaw to reach the place.
By Rail:If you are travelling through train the nearest railway station is Varanasi Junction. The place is about 3.8 km from Varanasi Junction. However, it is about 4 km from Banaras station. Different road vehicles are available at both the stations that can drop you to the Mukti Bhawan.
