Hin: वाराणसी vāraṇasī
‘City of the Two Rivers’ / ‘City of Light’ – City, Uttar Pradesh.
From the Varuna and Asi, two tributaries forming the city’s northen and southern borders.
The Varuna, still flows in northern Varanasi, but the Assi is today a small stream near Assi Ghat.
Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history dating back over 3,000 years. Known as Kashi, the ‘City of Light’, in ancient times.
It is a major cultural, religious, and spiritual center in India, especially for Hindus.
The city’s association with the Ganga River makes it one of the holiest places in the Hindu tradition. The Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat is a daily ritual that draws thousands of devotees and tourists alike.
The riverbanks of Varanasi are lined with ghats, where pilgrims come to bathe and perform funeral rites, believing it purifies the soul.
Mark Twain famously remarked about Varanasi:
Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.
Greaves (1909 p32) was similarly gushing:
In many respects the buildings cannot bear the slightest comparison with those of Venice, but even could the broad view obtainable of Benares be possible in the Italian city, it is quite open to doubt if the general view could be more strikingly beautiful.
It is not the artistic excellence of the details, but the grouping of the whole, the extent, the very heterogeneousness of the buildings, the quaint irregularities, the ruinous patches, the temples and the trees; all these and many other features contribute to make the complete view one which stands quite alone, and possibly could not be surpassed in the whole world for genuine picturesqueness.
Varanasi is also known for its significant role in the development of Hindu philosophy, religious practice, and education. It is home to many ancient temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and other landmarks such as the Tulsi Manas Mandir and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. The city has long been a centre for Sanskrit studies, classical music, and the arts.
In the modern era, Varanasi remains a spiritual pilgrimage site for Hindus worldwide.
It is also famous for its silk weaving industry, particularly the production of Banarasi sarees, known for their intricate patterns and fine craftsmanship.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Uttar Pradesh place names.
