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Varanasi Introduction
Varanasi is one of the
oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for
Hindus, who believe that to die in the city is to attain instant
salvation. Varanasi is the tract of holy land lying between the
Ganga and the Assi rivers. The Assi river also flows into Ganga.
Varanasi is also known as Kashi, the city of light since one of the
twelve 'Jyortinglinga's is installed here. Varanasi has been a great
cultural centre, especially in the fields of music, learning and the
craft of silk weaving.
Varanasi History
Varanasi is one of the
most important pilgrimage in India and also a major tourist
attraction. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has
been a center of learning and civilisation for over 2000 years. 25
centuries ago Lord Buddha preached his message of enlightment for
the first time in Sarnath which is just 10kms away from Varanasi.
Later Varanasi became a great Hindu center, but was looted a number
of times by Muslim invaders from the 11th century on. These
destructive visits climaxed with that of the Mughal emperor,
Aurangazeb, who destroyed almost all the temples and converted the
most famous one into a mosque. aranasi has also been known as Kashi
and Benares, but its present name is restoration of an ancient name
meaning the city between two rivers - the Varuna and Asi.
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