Varanasi or Banaras
is one of the oldest cities of India. This city has
found place in the Buddhist scriptures as well the epic
of Mahabharata.
In Pali language Varanasi was called Banarasi hence
it got the name 'Banaras'. Varanasi is also called 'Kashi'
or the city of spiritual light. Kashi is the place where
Shiva and Parvati stood when the "time started
ticking".
This ancient city of India is located on holiest river
of India--Ganga. This relation is unique and has attracted
thousands of pilgrims. One theory also goes that Varanasi
is located on the land between the river Varuna and
Assi hence the name Varanasi.
This town also has its place in history with many events
and incidents being related with it. From time immemorial
Varanasi has been the center of education, religion,
art and culture.
For every visitor Varanasi has different experiences
to offer. The shimmering red and golden water of the
Ganges when rays of dawn falls on them, the high banks,
the temples, the Ashrams, the pavilions all are an experience
in themselves.
Chanting of Mantras, the hymns along with the fragrance
of incense in fills the air with mysticism which entrails
every person. The refreshing dip in the Ganges with
the splashing of water along the ghats-- in Varanasi
discovery and experience takes to the ultimate bliss.
Not only for its temples, Ghats and Ganges Banaras
has produced many exponents of art, music, literature
and crafts. These people were not different from others
but it was the tradition of Banaras, which moulded them
in the way they came out to be.
Why only the luminaries, Varanasi has excelled in the
art of silk weaving. The Banarasi silk sarees and brocades
are cherished as collector's items across the world.
As a eternal city with rich and vibrant past, it has
no exquisitely carved palaces, no impregnable fort no
architectural splendour but still the city has an inherent
charm of its own.
The ghats dotted with temples, the maze of alleys along
the ghats, what ever Varanasi has is enough to attract
the visitor again and again. The city which did not
die even after being plundered many times in is a true
sense a fascinating area to wander around.
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