Varanasi: The ancient temple city

History
Varanasi: The ancient temple city

Benares is older than history, older than tradition, even older than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together"(Mark Twain).

Varanasi, called 'Kashi' in the scriputures and popularly known as "Benaras", is said to be the oldest living city in the world with a glorious history that goes back to thousands of years. Believed to be the greatest 'Tirth' or crossing place between the earth and heaven. For a Hindu, to visit Varanasiand bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges, is to be cleansed of the sins of thousands of past births. The combination of Kashi, the holy city, Ganga, the celestial river and Shiva, the supreme God makes Varanasi an immortal destination. A great cultural centre, notably in the field of learning, especially of religion, philosophy, Yoga, Ayurveda, Astrology and Indian classical music. But there is much more to Varanasi than temples,Ghats, GAlis(narrow lanes).,