Banaras. “Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” Mark Twain.
The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world.
Varanasi name has been derived from the name of two rivers other than Ganga between which the city is developed river Varuna & river Assi.The most ancient name of Varanasi was ‘Kashi’, but British named Varanasi’ as ‘Banaras’ for their pronunciation convenience. After independence it has been changed again to Varanasi.
The city is not only famous for its religious importance of ghaats, temples, maths but more often for its life style, education, art, culture, food & traditions etc.
Education & Learning:
Varanasi has also been a great center of learning for ages. Varanasi is associated with promotion of spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language.
Today also it is leading in this sector by its renowned institutions like Banaras Hindu University, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Sampoornanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Tibetan University etc.
Art, Culture & Literature:
Varanasi has been greatly contributed in the field of Arts, culture & Literature.
The city had given some of the great personalities to the world like Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, Munshi Prem Chand, Bhartendu Harishchandra, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Jai Shankar Prasad, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Girja Devi etc.
Banarsi Silk Sari, Wooden Toys & Jwellaries are also world famous belonging to the city
Religion & Spiritualism:
From the beginning of the ages Varansi is a great centre for religion & spiritualism, Hindu mythology says if someone dies, or his cremation is done here on the banks river Ganga he will get the Moksha. Also this city is full of temples devoted to different Hindu Devi & Devtas. The Kashi Vishvanath a Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is known as the patron God of Varanasi.
Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath in Varanasi, this makes this place very important piligrimage for all Buddha followers in the world.
The twenty third Tiranthkar of Jains Parshvanath birthplace is also Varanasi, making it holy for Jains.
Banarsi Masti:
Banarsi Masti is a very unique style of living in Varanasi, it totally indescribable in words.
You can see people gathering on a pan shop chatting about all the issues of the world, an early morning bath in Ganga then prayers & offerings in temples, having breakfast of Sweet shop, living without any tension…is all about Banarsi Masti.
Geography, Climate & Whether:
Situated in Uttar Pradesh, in northern part of India, Varanasi is located on the banks of the holy river, Ganges on an altitude of 80.71 mtrs from the sea level. During summers, weather can be as hot as 45° C and humid too as Varanasi lies at the Tropic of cancer. Torrential rains and high humidity accompanies the monsoons that usually come in late June or early July for about two months. Delicious and juicy mangoes offer little relief from the sweating weather. On the other hand, winters are pleasant and temperature dips down to about 7°C. In Varanasi, the climatic conditions are most favorable for the tourists between October to April. For those who are ready to face a sun and don't mind the odor of sweat, Varanasi is a place to visit all the year round.