Varanasi also commonly known as Banaras or Benaras (Banaras and Kashi(
Kasi is a city situated on the banks of the River Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh( 320 kilometres (199 mi) southeast of state capital Lucknow. It is regarded as a holy city by Hindus( Buddhists and Jains. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India.
The Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kashi) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi and an essential part of all religious celebrations. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the River Ganges and the river´s religious importance. The city has been a cultural and religious centre in North India for several thousand years. The Benares Gharana form of the Indian classical music developed in Varanasi( and many prominent Indian philosophers( poets( writers( and musicians resided or reside in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi (Kashi).
People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples"( "the holy city of India"( "the religious capital of India"( "the city of lights"( "the city of learning"( and "the oldest living city on earth."
The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi( for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganges bounded by its two tributaries( the Varuna and the Assi( with the Ganges being to its south.[9] Another speculation about the origin of the name is that the river Varuna itself was called Varanasi in olden times( from which the city got its name. This is generally disregarded by historians( though there may be some earlier texts suggesting it to be so.
According to legend( the city was founded by the Hindu deity Lord Shiva( several thousand years ago( thus making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country. It is also a general belief that it stands on the weapon "The Trishool" (Trident) of Lord Shiva. It is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. Many Hindu scriptures( including the Rigveda( Skanda Purana( the Ramayana( and the Mahabharata( mention the city.
The city of Varanasi is located in the middle Ganges valley of North India( in the Eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh( along the left crescent-shaped bank of the Ganges river. It has the headquarters of Varanasi district. The "Varanasi Urban Agglomeration" — an agglomeration of seven urban sub-units — covers an area of 112.26 km 2 (approximately 43 mi²).
