Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Many names have been given to Varanasi, though its recently revived official appellation is mentioned in the Mahabharata and in the Jataka tales of Buddhism. It probably derives from the two rivers that flank the city, the Varana to the north and the Asi to the south.. Many still use the anglicized forms of Banaras or Benares, while pilgrims refer to Kash, first used three thousand years ago to describe the kingdom and the city outside which the Buddha preached his first sermon; the "City of Light" is also called Kashika, "the shining
one", referring to the light of Shiva. Another epithet, Avimukta, meaning "Never Forsaken", refers to the city that Shiva never deserted, or that one should never leave. Further
alternatives include Anandavana, the "forest of bliss",
and Rudravasa, the place where Shiva (Rudra) resides.
Varanasi’s
associations with Shiva extend to the beginning of time: legends
relate how, after his marriage to Parvati, Shiva left his Himalayan
abode and came to reside in Kashi with all the gods in attendance.
Temporarily banished during the rule of the great king Divodasa,
Shiva sent Brahma and Vishnu as his emissaries, but ultimately
returned to his rightful abode protected by his loyal attendants
Kalabhairav and Dandapani. Over 350 gods and goddesses, including a
protective ring of Ganeshaa form a mandala or sacred pattern with
Shiva Vishwanatha at its centre.
Each name carries an
additional meaning in terms of the sacred symbolism of the city,
with each defining a progressively decreasing arc starting and
ending on the west bank of the Ganges. While the boundary of Kashi
is delimited by the circular Panchakroshi Road, Varanasi is the main
city, extending from Asi Ghat and circling around to the confluence
of the Ganges and the Varana. Yet a smaller area, defined as
Avimukta, starts at Kedara Ghat in the south and ends at Trilochana
Ghat. Most important of all is Antargriha, the "Inner Sanctum"
around the Vishwanatha Temple, which encompasses Dashashwamedha
Ghat, Surya Kund, the lingam of Bharabhuta, and Manikarnika Ghat.
Another, later, interpretation suggests three sectors of khandas in
the form of Shiva’s trident, each centered around a temple –
Omkara to the north, Vishvanatha in the centre and Kendra to the
south.
A city which, since it is both an exalted place
of pilgrimage and an idealize centre of faith, has been likened to
Jerusalem and Mecca.According to the historians, the city was
founded some ten centuries before the birth of Christ. The city is
mentioned in Holy Scriptures like 'Vamana Purana', Buddhist texts
and in the epic 'Mahabharata'.Mark Twain,the English author and
literature,who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of
Banaras,once wrote:"Banaras is older than history,older than
tradition,older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of
them put together."
Attractions to See
- River Front
- Dashashwamedha Ghat
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Vishwanatha Khanda
- Scindia Ghat
Fairs & Festivals
- Mahashivratri
- Kartik Purnima
- Buddh Poornima
- Ramlila
- Dhrupad Mela
How to Reach
- By Air
There are daily domestic flights to and
from Varanasi to several cities in India. In fact, the daily
flights on Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route are quite popular
among the tourists.
- By Rail
There are two railway stations in
Varanasi, the Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction, also
known as the Cantonment Station. It is well connected to Delhi
and Calcutta by many trains and also to the other significant
Indian cities. Rajdhani Express from Delhi or from Calcutta
passes through Varanasi too. Alternatively, one can also take
trains for Mughalsarai, just 10 km south of Varanasi.
- By Road
Varanasi has a good network of roads,
frequent public and private buses and road transport to all the
major towns of Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas.
