Varanasi (ISO: Vārāṇasī, Hindi: [ʋaːˈraːɳəsi]; also known as Benares, Banaras, or Kashi) is a historic city on the banks of the Ganges River in northern India, revered for its significance in Hindu pilgrimage, death, and mourning rituals. The city blends diverse religious traditions, notably featuring a rich legacy of Islamic artisanship that enhances its appeal as a religious tourism destination. Situated in the southeastern part of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is located on the left bank of the Ganges, approximately 692 kilometers (430 miles) southeast of New Delhi and 320 kilometers (200 miles) from Lucknow. It lies 121 kilometers (75 miles) downstream from Prayagraj, a site where the Yamuna River converges with the Ganges, making it another important pilgrimage location.
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi has roots dating back 2,500 years to the ancient kingdom of Kashi. Nearby Sarnath, home to the Lion Capital of Ashoka, commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon from the fifth century BCE. In the 8th century, Adi Shankara promoted the worship of Shiva as a formal sect in Varanasi, while Tulsidas composed his renowned epic, the Ramcharitmanas, here. Other prominent figures of the Bhakti movement, such as Kabir and Ravidas, also hailed from the city. During the 16th century, Rajput nobles associated with Mughal Emperor Akbar contributed to the construction and enhancement of key temples, showcasing a distinctive architectural style. The city transitioned through various political statuses, becoming part of the East India Company in 1775 and later being integrated into Uttar Pradesh in 1950.
The local economy thrives on silk weaving, carpet making, crafts, and tourism, along with major industries like the Banaras Locomotive Works and Bharat Heavy Electricals. Varanasi is famed for its ghats—steps leading down to the Ganges—where pilgrims perform sacred rituals. Noteworthy ghats include Dashashwamedh, Panchganga, Manikarnika, and Harishchandra, with the latter two being prominent cremation sites. Significant temples include the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, and Durga Temple.
An educational and musical hub, Varanasi has nurtured many influential Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians, and is the birthplace of the Benares gharana style of Hindustani classical music. Notable 20th-century figures associated with the city include writer Premchand and shehnai virtuoso Bismillah Khan. The Benares Sanskrit College, founded by Jonathan Duncan in 1791, is India’s oldest Sanskrit institution. The city played a vital role in the rise of Indian nationalism, with Annie Besant establishing the Central Hindu College in 1898 and co-founding Banaras Hindu University in 1916, along with Kashi Vidyapith, which emerged in response to Gandhi's Non-cooperation movement in 1921.
History
Mythology
In Hindu mythology, Varanasi is believed to have been founded by Shiva, one of the three principal deities alongside Brahma and Vishnu. According to legend, during a conflict between Brahma and Shiva, Shiva severed one of Brahma's five heads. As was customary, the victor carried the defeated adversary’s head as a mark of both triumph and humiliation, with a bridle placed in its mouth. Shiva kept Brahma's head with him at all times as a symbol of his victory. When he arrived in Varanasi, the head fell from his hand and vanished into the ground, which is why the city is regarded as an extremely sacred site.
The Pandavas, central figures in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, are said to have visited Varanasi in search of Shiva to seek atonement for the sins they committed during the Kurukshetra War, including fratricide and brahmahatya. Varanasi is considered one of the seven holy cities (Sapta Puri) that can grant Moksha, alongside Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kanchipuram, Avanti, and Dvārakā.
In the mythological narratives, the princesses Ambika and Ambalika of Kashi married Vichitravirya, the ruler of Hastinapur, and gave birth to Pandu and Dhritarashtra. Bhima, a son of Pandu, married a Kashi princess named Valandhara, and they had a son named Sarvaga, who later ruled Kashi. Dhritarashtra’s eldest son, Duryodhana, also wed a Kashi princess, Bhanumati, who bore him a son, Lakshmana Kumara, and a daughter, Lakṣmaṇā.
In Buddhist texts, specifically the Cakkavatti Sīhanāda Sutta, it is foretold that Varanasi will one day transform into the legendary kingdom of Ketumati during the era of Maitreya.
Temples
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Among the estimated 23,000 temples in Varanasi, the most revered for worship include the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, and Durga Temple, the latter known for the monkeys that inhabit the large trees nearby.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located by the Ganges, is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Shiva. It has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout its history. The Gyanvapi Mosque, adjacent to the temple, marks the original site of this sacred space. Commonly referred to as the Golden Temple, it was constructed in 1780 by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. The temple's two spires are covered in gold, a gift from Ranjit Singh, the ruler of Punjab, in 1839. A proposed initiative by the Uttar Pradesh Ministry of Culture aims to gold-plate the dome as well. Daily rituals, prayers, and aartis take place at the temple from 02:30 to 23:00.
The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, situated near the Asi River, is one of the key temples dedicated to the Hindu god Hanuman. Built in the early 1900s by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, a prominent educationist and Indian independence leader who founded Banaras Hindu University, the temple is said to occupy the spot where the saint Tulsidas had a vision of Hanuman. The temple was the site of a tragic terrorist attack on March 7, 2006, which resulted in the deaths of 23 people and injuries to 30 others during a wedding ceremony. In response, a permanent police post was established inside the temple for security.
There are two notable temples dedicated to the goddess Durga in Varanasi: the Durga Mandir, built in the 16th century, and Durga Kund, constructed in the 18th century. The latter attracts many devotees during Navratri. Designed in the Nagara architectural style, the Durga Temple features multi-tiered spires and is adorned with red ochre, symbolizing Durga's fiery nature. It includes a rectangular water tank called Durga Kund, where an annual celebration during Nag Panchami reenacts Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha.
Other significant temples include the Annapurna Temple, near Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Annapoorna Devi, the goddess of nourishment, and the Sankatha Temple, adjacent to Sindhia Ghat, which honors Sankatha, the goddess of remedies. This temple features a large sculpture of a lion and a cluster of nine smaller shrines representing the nine planets.
The Parshvanath Jain Temple, dedicated to Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara born in Bhelpur, Varanasi, is another important site. The temple houses a 75-centimeter tall black idol and is located about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from Varanasi’s center and 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from Banaras Hindu University. It belongs to the Digambar sect of Jainism and serves as a pilgrimage center for Jains.
Other notable temples include Bharat Mata Mandir, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 and dedicated to the national personification of India; Kalabhairav Temple; Mrithyunjay Mahadev Temple; New Vishwanath Temple on the BHU campus; and Tulsi Manas Mandir.
Culture
Literature
Varanasi has long been a cradle of literary talent, home to renowned Indian writers such as Kabir, Ravidas, and Tulsidas, who composed much of his epic Ram Charit Manas in the city. In the 15th century, Kulluka Bhatt produced one of the most notable commentaries on the Manusmriti while living in Varanasi. Subsequent literary figures from the city include Acharya Shukla, Baldev Upadhyaya, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Devaki Nandan Khatri, Premchand, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Jaishankar Prasad, Kshetresa Chandra Chattopadhyaya, Sudama Pandey (Dhoomil), Vagish Shastri, and Vidya Niwas Mishra.
The city has also been a hub for various newspapers and journals. Among them, Varanasi Chandroday and its successor, Kashivartaprakashika, emerged as significant publications, with Kashivartaprakashika evolving into a weekly journal first published on June 1, 1851. The primary newspaper in Varanasi is Aj, a Hindi-language nationalist publication that began circulation in 1920. Aj served as a stronghold for the Indian National Congress and remains a major newspaper in northern India, particularly among Hindi-speaking readers.
Art
Varanasi is a prominent center for arts and crafts, renowned for its exquisite silk and brocade production, often embellished with gold and silver thread work. The city is also known for carpet weaving, wooden toys, glass bangles, ivory craftsmanship, perfumes, artistic brass and copper items, and a wide array of handicrafts. The former cantonment graveyard of the British Raj now serves as the hub for Varanasi's vibrant arts and crafts scene.
The city has been home to many notable artists, musicians, and dancers, including Thakur Jaidev Singh, Mahadev Prasad Mishra, Bismillah Khan, Ravi Shankar, Girija Devi, Gopal Shankar Misra, Gopi Krishna, Kishan Maharaj, Lalmani Misra, Premlata Sharma, N. Rajam, Siddheshwari Devi, Samta Prasad, Sitara Devi, Chhannulal Mishra, Rajan Sajan Mishra, Ritwik Sanyal, Soma Ghosh, Devashish Dey, Ramkrishna Das, and Harish Tiwari.
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Music
Varanasi boasts a rich musical tradition that dates back to ancient Pauranic times, with legend attributing the evolution of music and dance forms to Shiva. During the medieval period, the Bhakti movement, particularly Vaishnavism, flourished, establishing Varanasi as a vibrant hub for celebrated musicians such as Surdas, Kabir, Ravidas, Meera, and Tulsidas. In the 16th century, under the patronage of the monarch Govind Chandra, the Dhrupad style of singing gained prominence, giving rise to related forms like Dhamar, Hori, and Chaturang. Today, Dhrupad maestro Pandit Ritwik Sanyal is dedicated to reviving this classical art form.
In more recent years, Girija Devi, a renowned classical singer known for her thumris, received widespread acclaim for her musical interpretations. Varanasi has also produced exceptional instrumentalists, including the legendary Bismillah Khan and Ravi Shankar, the celebrated sitar player and musicologist who was honored with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. Additionally, Varanasi has been recognized as a UNESCO "City of Music" as part of the Creative Cities Network, highlighting its global cultural significance
Festivals
Maha Shivaratri, celebrated in February, features a grand procession of Shiva from the Mahamrityunjaya Temple to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The Dhrupad Mela, a five-day musical festival dedicated to the Dhrupad style, takes place at Tulsi Ghat in February-March. The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple marks Hanuman Jayanti (March-April) with special pujas, aartis, and a public procession. Since 1923, the temple has hosted the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, a five-day classical music and dance festival that showcases renowned artists from across India.
The Ramlila of Ramnagar is a dramatic retelling of Rama's story as depicted in the Ramacharitamanasa. Sponsored by Kashi Naresh, performances take place every evening for 31 days in Ramnagar, culminating in a grand finale where Rama defeats the demon king Ravana. This tradition was initiated around 1830 by Kashi Naresh Udit Narayan Singh.
Chhath Puja is observed on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October-November) over four days, featuring rituals like holy bathing, fasting, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) to the setting and rising sun. Dedicated to the sun god Surya and his sister Chhathi Maiya, Chhath is a significant celebration for the Bhojpuri community and is believed to have originated in Varanasi.
Nag Nathaiya, celebrated on the fourth lunar day of the dark fortnight in Kartik, honors Krishna's victory over the serpent Kaliya. A branch of the Kadamba tree is planted on the Ganges' banks, allowing a boy dressed as Krishna to jump into the river onto a Kaliya effigy, performing a dance while playing the flute for an audience.
Bharat Milap, celebrated in October-November, commemorates the reunion of Rama and his brother Bharata after 14 years of exile. The Kashi Naresh attends this festival in royal attire, drawing many devotees.
Ganga Mahotsav, a five-day music festival organized by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, occurs in November-December and culminates the day before Kartik Purnima, also known as the Ganges festival. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Ganges during this time, releasing lighted lamps into the river from the ghats.
The city also celebrates several Muslim festivals, including Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan), Bakrid, Mid-Sha'ban, Bara Wafat, and Muharram, along with events like Alvida and Chehlum. A notable non-religious festival among Muslims is Ghazi-miyan-ka-byaha, which commemorates "the marriage of Ghazi Miyan."
Education
Varanasi has long been a prominent educational center in India, drawing students and scholars from across the nation. The city boasts an overall literacy rate of 80%—85% for males and 75% for females. It hosts several colleges and universities, with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) being the most notable. BHU is one of Asia's largest residential universities, accommodating over 20,000 students. The Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi is recognized as an Institute of National Importance and is one of 16 Indian Institutes of Technology.
In addition to BHU, Varanasi is home to various other educational institutions, including Jamia-e-Imania, the Institute of Integrated Management and Technology, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Nav Sadhana Kala Kendra, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, and Sri Agrasen Kanya P.G. College. Several engineering colleges have also been established on the outskirts of the city. Other notable institutions include the Institute of Medical Sciences, Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, and Harish Chandra Postgraduate College. Research-oriented institutes such as the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, and the National Seed Research and Training Centre have also been set up by the government.
Varanasi has three Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), including Kendriya Vidyalaya BHU, which serves as the regional office for the Varanasi Region of KVS and is accredited by the British Council. The other two KVs are Kendriya Vidyalaya 39 GTC and Kendriya Vidyalaya DLW.
St. Joseph's Convent School, established by the Sisters of Our Lady of Providence of France, is a Catholic minority institution that provides education to both Catholic children and others who comply with its guidelines.
Another significant institution is the Central Hindu School in Kamachha, founded by Annie Besant in July 1898 to provide secular education. This school is affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education and welcomes students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Schools in Varanasi are affiliated with various boards, including the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), the CBSE, and the Uttar Pradesh Board of Technical Education (U.P Board). However, the overall state of education in Varanasi is considered lacking. Quality varies significantly among schools, with private institutions generally outperforming government schools. Many government schools face challenges, such as teacher absenteeism and inadequate facilities, including a lack of basic equipment like blackboards and sufficient desks.
Private schools differ widely in quality; the more expensive ones often teach in English, perceived as crucial for success, and are equipped with computers. These institutions typically cater to upper-class families, while lower-cost private schools attract students from lower-income backgrounds or those with higher educational aspirations. Conversely, government schools predominantly serve lower-class children with more limited educational goals.
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