Varanasi - A City Older than History

 Varanasi

"Banaras is older than history 

older than tradition older even

than legends and looks twice 

as old as all of them put together"

-Mark Twain

The Eternal city of India

The eternal city of India call it Varanasi or Banaras or Kashi By any name and by all means Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world This city is more so remarkable since its great contemporaries-Beijing and Athens have moved on and away from their ancient life on the other hand the lanes or building of old Varanasi still ooze the echoes of an cent India more than 3000 years this city has been refer to various travellers across world From Xuan Zang of China to mark twain of America  everyone has attested to this great city being extremely old and the centre of religion, education in and artistic activity to this day this city is significant from many angles it is one of the most important pilgrim for Hindus, Buddhism and Jains.

it is one of the 7 sacred cities of Hindus

it is famous for its muslin and silk fabric ivory work and sculptures in fact, from faith, philosophy and culture to Indian arts and crafts all of gain tremendous from this eminent city of India.

 City of Ghats 

speak of Varanasi and the first things crosses your mind is the image of the numerous ghats along the eastern bank of river Ganga There are more than 100 Ghats lined up here back-to-back. The religious and culture activities is closely associated with river Ganga 

A boat ride across this ghats is best part in Varanasi. The best time to take ride is pre-dawn when the first rays of sun fall come there is already humdrum of activity along the banks. The devotees are already performing rituals and Surya namaskar Many can be taking dip in water of the river 

Some important information about Kashi 

According to Hindu scriptures the entire city of Varanasi is supposed to be a cremation

ground it is the belief of Hindus that dying at this holy city of Lord Shiva and the Ganga will free them from the cycle of death re-birth, and it is for this reason that many widows and elderly comes to Varanasi to spent their last days here and die in peace.

 

At the Asi ghat it is here the river Ganga joins the river Asi just around the corner there is a campus if Banaras Hindu University the next ghat Tulsi ghat is named after the famous poet Tulsidas it is said that Tulsidas wrote his greatest literary work Ramcharitramans the story of Hindu god Lord Ram at this ghat 

 

 

Dasaswamedh ghat this is the main ghat of the city centrally located and the most popular among all the ghats