Varanasi
| Varanasi | |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Kashi, Banaras, City of Light |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Country | India |
| District | Varanasi |
| Official Language | Hindi |
| River | Ganga |
| Famous For | Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganga Ghats, Silk Sarees, Ganga Aarti |
| Population | 15 lakh (approx.) |
Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the spiritual capital of India. Located on the western banks of the sacred Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. It is home to the magnificent Kashi Vishwanath Temple — one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva — and the famous Ganga Ghats, where thousands of pilgrims gather daily to bathe, pray and perform rituals. Varanasi is also renowned for its centuries-old tradition of silk weaving, producing the world-famous Banarasi sarees.
History
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. The city finds mention in ancient Hindu scriptures including the Rigveda, Skanda Purana and the Mahabharata. It was known as Kashi in ancient times — meaning the City of Light — and was one of the most important centres of learning, philosophy and spirituality in ancient India.
The city was an important centre of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage. Sarnath, located just 10 kilometres from Varanasi, is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment — making it one of the four most sacred sites in Buddhism.
Varanasi flourished as a major commercial and cultural centre during the Mughal period. The city has been home to countless saints, scholars, philosophers and musicians throughout its history, including the poet-saint Kabir, Tulsidas (author of the Ramcharitmanas), Ravidas and the classical musician Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Geography
Varanasi is situated on the western bank of the Ganga River in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The city is built along a crescent-shaped stretch of the Ganga riverfront, which is lined with more than 80 ghats — stepped embankments leading down to the river. The Ganga flows northward through Varanasi, which is considered especially auspicious in Hindu tradition.
Religious Significance
Varanasi is one of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) of Hinduism and is considered the most important of them all. Dying in Varanasi is believed to grant moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) in the Hindu tradition.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most sacred Shiva temple in India and one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines. The current temple was built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, inaugurated in 2021, has transformed the area around the temple into a grand spiritual complex.
Ganga Ghats
Varanasi is famous for its 84 ghats along the Ganga riverfront. The most important ghats include Dashashwamedh Ghat — where the spectacular evening Ganga Aarti ceremony is performed daily — Manikarnika Ghat and Assi Ghat. The Ganga Aarti of Varanasi is one of the most mesmerizing religious ceremonies in India.
Sarnath
Located 10 kilometres from Varanasi, Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. It is one of the four most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.
Arts and Culture
Varanasi has an extraordinarily rich cultural tradition spanning music, literature, philosophy and craft.
Banarasi Silk
Varanasi is world-renowned for its Banarasi silk sarees — among the finest silk sarees in India, characterised by their intricate gold and silver brocade work. Banarasi silk has a GI (Geographical Indication) tag and is an important part of India's textile heritage.
Classical Music
Varanasi is one of the most important centres of Hindustani classical music in India. The city has been home to legendary musicians including Ustad Bismillah Khan (shehnai maestro) and Pandit Ravi Shankar, and continues to nurture classical music traditions through its many gharanas and music institutions.
Literature
Varanasi has been a centre of Hindi and Sanskrit literature for centuries. The great poet-saint Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas in Varanasi. The city continues to be an important centre of Hindi literary activity.
Education
Varanasi is home to several prominent educational institutions:
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) — One of the largest residential universities in Asia, founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1916
- Sampurnanand Sanskrit University — A premier institution for Sanskrit studies
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) BHU — A premier engineering institution
Tourism
Varanasi attracts millions of domestic and international tourists and pilgrims every year:
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple — The most sacred Shiva temple in India
- Ganga Ghats — 84 ghats along the river including Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika and Assi
- Ganga Aarti — The spectacular evening prayer ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Sarnath — The sacred Buddhist site 10 km from the city
- Ramnagar Fort — The residence of the Maharaja of Varanasi on the opposite bank of the Ganga
- Tulsi Manas Temple — Built at the site where Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas
Transport
Varanasi has a well-connected transport network:
- Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport — Connecting Varanasi to major domestic and international destinations
- Varanasi Junction Railway Station — A major railway junction on the Indian Railways network
- Roads — Well connected by national highways to Prayagraj, Lucknow, Patna and other major cities