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Varanasi (Kashi)

Kāśī / वाराणसी

Also known as: Benares, Banaras, Kashi Vishwanath

Varanasi, India|View on Map (25.3176, 83.0066)

Religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism | Place Type: Sacred city | Region: Asia

Overview

Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the holiest city in Hinduism.

Located on the banks of the sacred Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, India, it has been a center of pilgrimage and spirituality for over 3,000 years.

Hindus believe that dying and being cremated in Varanasi brings liberation from the cycle of rebirth (moksha).

Present

Varanasi remains an active, living sacred city with millions of pilgrims visiting annually. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is managed by a trust and receives over one million visitors annually. The city serves as a major center for Hindu learning with several universities including Banaras Hindu University, founded in 1916.

Religious activities continue throughout the day and night, with the Ganga Aarti ceremony being the most spectacular daily ritual. Cremations at the burning ghats operate continuously. The city maintains its ancient character despite modernization, with its maze-like old quarters largely unchanged.

In 2019, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project was completed, creating a wider approach to the temple while preserving the historic character of the area.

Religious Significance

Hinduism

Varanasi is the holiest city for Hindus, considered the cosmic center of the universe. The city is believed to be founded by Lord Shiva himself. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (sacred representations of Shiva in the form of light). Bathing in the Ganges at Varanasi is believed to wash away sins and bring spiritual purification. The city has over 80 ghats (riverside steps) where pilgrims perform ritual bathing and cremation ceremonies. The Ganga Aarti ceremony held every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat draws thousands of devotees who witness priests performing synchronized rituals with fire, flowers, and chanting. Many elderly Hindus come to Varanasi to spend their final days, believing death here grants immediate liberation. The city is sacred to all sects of Hinduism.

Jainism

Four of the twenty-four Tirthankaras (enlightened teachers) were born in Varanasi, making it an important pilgrimage site for Jains. The city contains several ancient Jain temples.

Buddhism

Varanasi holds special significance in Buddhism, as the Buddha delivered his first sermon at nearby Sarnath after attaining enlightenment, thereby establishing the area as a key destination on the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.

History & Structure

Ancient Origins: Archaeological evidence suggests continuous habitation since at least 1200 BCE, making Varanasi one of the world's oldest living cities. Ancient texts reference Kashi as early as the Rigveda (1500 BCE).

Kashi Vishwanath Temple: The current temple structure was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history. The golden spire and dome were added by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839.

Historical Development: The city flourished under various dynasties including the Mauryas, Guptas, and later Muslim rulers. It became a major center of Sanskrit learning and Hindu philosophy. The city's network of narrow lanes, temples, and ghats developed organically over millennia.

Ghats: The 80+ ghats that line the Ganges were mostly built during the 18th and 19th centuries by various Hindu rulers and wealthy merchants. Two ghats, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are designated as cremation sites where cremations occur 24 hours daily.

Practical Information

Access: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport serves the city. Well-connected by rail to major Indian cities. Local transport includes auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, and walking (many areas are pedestrian-only).
Best Time to Visit: October to March when temperatures are cooler. Monsoon season (July-September) can be humid.
Dress Code: Modest clothing required in temples. Remove shoes before entering temples.
Key Sites: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Assi Ghat. Sarnath (10 km away) is the site of Buddha's first sermon.
Location: Varanasi is on the banks of the Ganges River in eastern Uttar Pradesh, approximately 320 km from Lucknow.
Note: Non-Hindus can generally visit the ghats and observe rituals but may have restricted access to inner temple areas.
Photography: Photography is prohibited inside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Be respectful when photographing cremation ghats.