Varanasi or Banaras or Kashi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi's Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the "Golden Temple" dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Varanasi grew as an important industrial centre, famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. The city's religious importance continued to grow in the 8th century, when Adi Shankara established the worship of Shiva as an official sect of Varanasi.

History

According to legend, Varanasi was founded by the god Shiva. There happened a fight between the two supreme gods, Brahma and Shiva, and the succeeding combat resulted in one of the four heads of Brahma being torn off by Shiva. It was a custom of the time that the victor carried the slain adversary’s head in his hand and let it hang down from his hand as an act of ignominy and a sign of his own bravery. A bridle was also put into the mouth. Shiva thus dishonored Brahma's head, and kept it with him at all times. When he came to the city of Varanasi in this state, the hanging head of Brahma dropped from Shiva's hand and disappeared in the ground. The land of Varanasi is therefore considered an extremely holy religious site.

The Pandavas, the mythic protagonists of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, are said to have visited the city in search of Shiva to atone for their sin of fratricide and Brahmanahatya that they had committed during the climactic Kurukshetra War. It is regarded as one of seven holy cities (Sapta Puri) which can provide Moksha; Ayodhya, Mathura, Bodh Gaya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti, and Dvaraka are the seven cities known as the givers of liberation.

Culture

Varanasi has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years, and is closely associated with the Ganges. Hindus believe that death in the city will bring salvation, making it a major centre for pilgrimage. The city is known worldwide for its many ghats, embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions.

Top Trending Attractions in Varanasi

Harishchandra Ghat
Harishchandra Ghat

Harish Chandra Ghat is one of the oldest Ghats of Varanasi. Harish Chandra Ghat is name after a mythological King Harish Chandra, ...

Ramnagar Fort
Ramnagar Fort

The Ramnagar Fort is located near the Ganga River on its eastern bank, opposite to the Tulsi Ghat varanasi India. The sandstone ...

Gyan Kup (Gyan Vapi Well)
Gyan Kup (Gyan Vapi Well)

The Gyanvapi mosque was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It is ...

In and Around Varanasi

 

Varanasi

Population :1201815

Languages :Hindi, Urdu

Currency : INR

Pincode :221 001 to** (** area code)

Time Zone : UMT + 05:30

Altitude :81 Meter

STD Code :0542

Website : varanasi.nic.in

Travel Insight

In search of Old vinly records in delhi
In search of Old vinly records in delhi

A Collector's Dream If you are nostalgic about the music of the ...

Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

We visited this park in December 2010, we were in group of 10-12 ...

Beautiful Shimla Trip
Beautiful Shimla Trip

This time, we (Rohit, Sanjay and me) were ready to enjoy the ...

Ken Crocodile Sanctuary And Rahen Canyon
Ken Crocodile Sanctuary And Rahen Canyon

After a day in Orchha, we took a bus and reached khajuraho at 9 pm. ...

Top travel News

10 more wetlands in India declared as Ramsar sites
10 more wetlands in India declared as Ramsar sites

India has added 10 more wetlands to sites protected by the ...

Two tigers clash for Noor (a tigress) in Ranthambore, video of creepy fight goes viral
Two tigers clash for Noor (a tigress) in Ranthambore, video of creepy fight goes viral

The video of a fight between two tigers for a tigress in Ranthambore ...

The 7th edition of North East Festival to be held in Delhi from Nov 8
The 7th edition of North East Festival to be held in Delhi from Nov 8

Delhi will yet again witness the grandeur of ...

Haryana Day Celebration
Haryana Day Celebration

Every year Haryana day is celebrated on 1st November. This date marks ...

Essential India

Your trip to India is incomplete if you have not...
  1. Danced to a punjabi number
  2. Tasted the spicy street food
  3. Picked up a local Rajasthani dress and jutti (footwear)
  4. Tried an ayurvedic full-body massage
  5. Watched a classical dance performance
  6. Taken a train

Copyright © cubetodice.com 2017