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Avimukta – Why Kashi or Varanasi is known as Avimukta?

Avimukta literally means unliberated but in the context of Kashi or Varanasi it is interpreted differently – it means the place where Shiva is always present. Varanasi got the name Avimukta after Shiva and Goddess Parvati made it their residence.

The name is also found in the Jabala Upanishad – which is the abode of Brahman. Thus all for all living and non living beings it is the home.

Sage Yajnavalkya explains in the Jabala Upanishad that Avimukta symbolizes that which is infinite and unmanifested – Shiva or Brahman.

It is said that he who gains the knowledge of Avimukta will be liberated.