Key Highlights
- Varanasi lies on the eastern bank of the Ganga, retaining its status as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
- The city has been known by three major appellations—Kashi, Banaras, and the contemporary Varanasi—each echoing a distinct phase of its evolution.
- Its spiritual allure stems from the belief that a soul released from the cycle of birth and death (moksha) awaits those who die or perform rites here.
- Major pilgrimage sites include the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the rhythmic Dashashwamedh Ghat, and the tranquil Assi Ghat.
- Varanasi also houses Banaras Hindu University, established in 1916, which remains a leading residential university in Asia.
Detailed Insights
Kashi—derived from the Sanskrit word for “light” or “radiance”—first appears in ancient Vedic and Purāṇic literature such as the Rig Veda and Skanda Purāṇa. It was regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva, earning its reputation as the eternal city and a focal point of yogic practice.
During the Mughal and later colonial epochs, the name Banaras (variably spelled Benares) gained prominence, especially in the arts and daily parlance. Though not the official designation today, the name still permeates cultural expressions, including films, music, and local discourse.
The spiritual doctrine that a person who passes away in Varanasi secures moksha is a major pull for pilgrims, especially those in their later years who wish to spend their last moments amid the divine ambience of the Ganga.
The city’s architectural and cultural heritage is embodied in monuments such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple—one of the twelve Jyotirlingas— and the cascading ghats that provide stages for the iconic Ganga aarti.
Founded in 1916, Banaras Hindu University stands as one of the largest residential universities on the continent, integrating classical Indian studies with contemporary scholarship.