Varanasi for visitors:
Varanasi,
one of world's oldest living cities, is rightly called
the religious capital of India. Also known as Benaras,
this holy city is located in the southeastern part of
the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. It rests
on the left bank of the holy river Ganga (Ganges), and
is one of the seven sacred spots for Hindus. Every devout
Hindu hopes to visit the city at least once in a lifetime,
take a holy dip in the "Ghats" of the Ganga,
walk the pious Panchakosi road that bounds the city,
and, if God wills, die here in old age.
Varanasi For Visitors
Both Hindus and non-Hindus from around the world visit
Varanasi for different reasons. Although Varanasi is
popularly called the city of Shiva
and Ganga, it is at once the city of temples, the city
of "Ghats", the city of music, and the center
for moksha.
For
every visitor, Varanasi has a different experience to
offer. The gentle waters of the Ganges, the boat ride
at sunrise, the high banks of the ancient "Ghats",
the array of shrines, the meandering narrow serpentine
alleys of the city, the myriad temple spires, the palaces
at water's edge, the ashrams, the pavilions,
the chanting of mantras, the fragrance of incense,
the palm and cane parasols, the devotional hymns - all
offer a kind of mystifying experience that is unique
to the city of Shiva.
A Place of Spiritual Luminance
The former name of the city, Kashi signifies that it
is a "site of spiritual luminance". Indeed
it is! Not only is Varanasi a place for pilgrimage,
it is also a great center of learning, and a place known
for its heritage in music, literature, art and craft.
It is a cherished name in the art of silk weaving. The
Banarasi silk sarees and brocades are prized all over
the world. The classical musical styles or "Gharanas"
are woven into the lifestyle of the people and are accompanied
by musical instruments that are manufactured in Varanasi.
Many religious texts and theosophical treatises have
been written here. It is also the seat of one of India's
biggest universities, the Banaras Hindu University
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