Varanasi (Banaras or Kashi) — sacred city on the Ganges
Varanasi, also called Banaras or Kashi, is a major city on the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India, revered in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions and among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Overview
Varanasi is a large, densely settled city on the banks of the river Ganges in northern India. Often known by its older names Banaras and Kashi, the city is a focal point for pilgrimage, ritual practice and religious learning. The traditional Sanskrit name is linked in many classical texts: Vārāṇasī. Varanasi's public life revolves around the riverfront steps, neighbourhood temples and narrow lanes that radiate from the ghats.
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Geography and urban character
Varanasi sits in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and is organized around a sequence of ghats—stone steps that meet the river—where daily ceremonies, baths and cremations take place. The old city contains crowded bazaars, artisans' workshops and historic temples, while newer parts of the municipality host universities and administrative services. For a general orientation to the city's modern layout and institutions see city resources.
History and development
Varanasi has a long recorded history and is frequently described among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Archaeological and textual evidence show an ancient urban presence that grew through successive eras: classical Hindu kingdoms, medieval regional courts, Mughal and later British periods. Comparisons with other ancient urban centres are common in scholarship; for example, the claim that it is among the oldest cities alongside places like Damascus appears in many surveys of urban antiquity.
Religious significance and practices
The city is sacred to Hindus and is also important to Buddhists and Jains. Pilgrims come to perform ritual baths in the Ganges, attend evening aarti ceremonies on the ghats and seek religious rites at temples such as the Kashi Vishwanath. Hindu beliefs and practices centred on Varanasi have shaped its social life for centuries; more information about Hindu traditions related to the city can be found via religious overviews. Cremation at certain ghats is considered a final rite with deep spiritual meaning for many visitors.
Culture, economy and education
Beyond worship, Varanasi is known for its crafts and cultural output: handwoven Banarasi silk, classical music schools, and a lively literary and performing arts scene. It is home to significant educational institutions including universities and seminaries that attract students of religion, music and the arts. Tourism and pilgrimage are major components of the local economy, supporting hospitality, transport and artisanal trades.
Notable features and distinctions
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple — a principal temple dedicated to Shiva and a centre of pilgrimage.
- Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika Ghats — famous riverfront steps known respectively for evening worship and cremation rites.
- Sarnath (nearby) — the site where the Buddha is traditionally said to have taught after his enlightenment.
Varanasi's combination of continual urban habitation, ritual centrality and living cultural traditions makes it a distinctive example of a city where past and present remain closely intertwined.
Geography
Geographical location
Varanasi is located in northern India 780 kilometers east of the Indian capital Delhi predominantly on the left bank of the Ganges, India's largest river. The city belongs to the state of Uttar Pradesh and is located in its eastern part. The municipality of Varanasi covers an area of 79.79 square kilometres. Varanasi is the administrative seat of Varanasi district, which besides the city covers a total area of 1,578 square kilometres in the surrounding areas. In the immediate vicinity of Varanasi are the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath (thirteen kilometres to the north), the former Maharaja's residence of Ramnagar on the opposite side of the Ganga, and the railway junction of Mughalsarai ten kilometres to the east of Varanasi.
Topography
The urban area of Varanasi stretches along the river on the western side of the Ganges. At the site of Varanasi, the Ganges makes a bend and flows in a large arc towards the northeast. Due to its location on the steeply rising high bank on the western side of the river, the city is protected from the annual floods of the Ganges. The flat eastern bank, on the other hand, which is regularly flooded, is completely undeveloped. The urban area of Varanasi is bounded by two rivers that flow into the Ganges here: Varuna to the north and Assi to the south.
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History
Varanasi is believed to have been founded around 1,200 BC by Kashya, the son of Suhottra. In 1193, the city was captured by Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, the Ghurid general. He made himself independent of the Ghurids and established the Delhi Sultanate. For the next 500 years, Varanasi was under Muslim rule. During this period, many Hindus converted to Islam. During the reign of Akbar I at the turn of the 17th century, the city was ruled by a Hindu governor who built several temples and an observatory. However, these structures have not been preserved. Shah Jahan installed his son Dara Shukoh as the governor of Varanasi. He maintained close relations with Hindu scholars and dealt with their teachings. Aurangzeb, who pursued a policy of re-Islamization in the late 17th century, closed down the schools in the city of Muslim scholars who were concerned with Hindu doctrines, had a Hindu temple destroyed to build a mosque in its place, and renamed the city Muhammadābād. This name, however, did not catch on. After his death, Balwant Singh, the son of a Hindu zamindar was elevated to the position of Raja of Varanasi in 1739. He cooperated with the British East India Company and became more and more dependent on them. In 1775, his territory came under British administration, but Balwant Singh's family retained the Raja title. In 1950, the territory became part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. However, the royal house continues to exist to this day.
On January 19, 1977, a serious railway accident occurred near Varanasi when a passenger train struck a stopping train. 28 people died and another 78 were injured.
Related articles
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AlegsaOnline.com Varanasi (Banaras or Kashi) — sacred city on the Ganges Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/104235
Sources
- sasnet.lu.se : Varanasi as Heritage City (India) on the scale the UNESCO World Heritage List: From Contestation to Conservation.