Varanasi
Location
About
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the holiest city in Hinduism. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning, philosophy, and devotion for over three millennia. The city's ghats — stone steps descending to the river — are the setting for daily rituals, cremation pyres, and the great evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.
Significance
Hindus believe dying in Varanasi grants moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). The city's burning ghats at Manikarnika and Harishchandra have operated continuously for over 2,000 years. Lord Shiva is said to have founded the city, and it is identified in Hindu cosmology as the center of the universe that will survive even the destruction of worlds.
History & Historical Arc
Archaeological evidence suggests habitation from around 1200 BCE. The Buddha gave his first sermon at nearby Sarnath aro…
Archaeological Notes
Excavations at Rajghat reveal continuous habitation from 800 BCE. The Kashi Vishwanath temple has been rebuilt multiple …
Key Features & Structures
- Dashashwamedh Ghat (evening Aarti)
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Jyotirlinga)
Visitor Information
Open year-round. Best visited during Dev Deepawali (October/November) or Makar Sankranti. Dawn boat ride on Ganga essent…
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Rigveda 7.95.2
- Skanda Purana (Kashi Khanda)