Varanasi, also renowned as Kashi and Banaras, is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The holy city Varanasi, believed to be founded by Lord Shiva about 5000 years ago, is placed picturesquely on the west bank of Holy Ganges River and is one of the most revered religious destinations in India. Varanasi has got its name from the two rivers Varuna located at the north and Assi located at the south of the city. This place has got its mentions in the holy epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The importance of the Varanasi (Kashi) lies in the religious belief that those who die in the area in the Kashi city bounded by the Panch Kashi Road will attain the salvation. The city is thronged by thousands of Hindu devotees every day through out the year. Any Hindu believer in the country and abroad is a devout aspirant of visiting Kashi at least once in the life time.
The place is also renowned as a place for performing last rites for the believers and the mortal remains are immersed in the water of Ganges in Kashi. Performing funeral rites and cremation in the pyres are very usual scenes on the banks of river Ganges in Varanasi. Many people like to spend their fag end of life in this holy city and like to attain salvation here.
There are many attractions in Varanasi. It is an ideal spot for those travelers who are enthused about the Hindu beliefs, customs, cultures and concepts. They can have the real life experiences of Hindu way of living and belief in rebirth.
Varanasi is also famed as a centre of Silk weaving and worthy Silk apparels. The Paan, mixture of betel leaves, arecanut, tobacco and lime, is a favorite chewing item in Varanasi.
The lusting green vegetation on the banks of the river in Varanasi is very attractive. The place is enriched with many ancient temples like Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Kal Bhairava temple, Durga Kund, and Annapoorna temple. Varanasi is a prime centre of art, craft, education and culture. Many philosophers and scholars had been in Varanasi to understand the divine life style of Hinduism and virtues of Hindu beliefs. Buddha, Mahavir, Adi Shankaracharya and Acharya Ramanuja are some of them spent lots of their lifetime on the banks of Ganges in Kashi.
