Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi, the spiritual capital of India, is a symbol of relationship between the river -Ganga and the people of Varanasi.
This oldest living city holds a beautiful name representing a lovely fusion of the names Varuna and Assi, a tributary of the holy river Ganga.
Varanasi offers brush with the divine. The most interesting aspect of the city is the Ghats (steps leading to the waters of the river Ganges).
Varanasi is perhaps the only city in the world that also offers what can be called “death tourism”.
Visitors flock the Manikarnika Ghat where dead bodies are cremated in full view before their ashes are immersed in the Ganges.
Varanasi is said to have been the abode of Lord Shiva and so there are plenty of temples dedicated to him including Kashi Vishwanath Temple and New Vishwanath Temple.
The city is also home to the Banaras Hindu University, spread over an expansive campus. The university was once known as the Oxford of the East.