A Journey To Varanasi's Historical Tapestry

Where is Varanasi India?

Varanasi is a city in the northern part of India, specifically in southeastern Uttar Pradesh state. 

Situated on the left side of the Ganges (Ganga) River, Varanasi holds great religious significance as one of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism.
 

Varanasi History:

It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, and it dates back to thousands of years from the era of the Sumerian civilization. The city is also called “Kashi”, which means “The Shining”.

It is often referred to as the "city of temples and science". Banaras or Varanasi is the place where the sacred river Ganges is located, which is considered a destination for many Indians to bathe in and purify the body and soul together from sins, as the rituals of some religions require. 

The river Ganges is also one of the most attractive sceneries in the city of Varanasi, and Hindus come to it from various parts of India for the purpose of visiting and bathing in its water. They believe that its water is sacred and built stairs along the Ganges called Ghats, which they use for bathing before their daily prayers. About one million visitors come to the city annually, making Varanasi the holy city of India.

Although the Ganges River is the holy water to them it’s also one of the most polluted rivers in Asia, the Ganges ("Ganges"). The source of this pollution is the industrial liquid waste, then the sewage is filtered directly into the river from all parts of Varanasi. 

There is also no trace of dissolved oxygen in the Ganges, and the water contains 120 times the widely recognized limit of bacteria. Its color and smell alone are enough to tell you this even if the evidence is missing. Nevertheless, the Ganges remains the source of magic in the city that defies laws and diseases, where the sacred water is used for religious rituals, washing, swimming, and drinking, and it can be used as a burial site after the cremation, where ashes are thrown into the river.

Archaeological evidence has been found from the oldest known settlements in all parts of Varanasi in the Ganges River Valley dating back to the 12th and 11th centuries BC, and that evidence indicates that the city was inhabited by the two Vedas. 

The city of Varanasi grew as an important industrial center and was famous for its gauze, silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory, and sculpture, and during the period of Gautama Buddha the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Kashi, and when Xuazang visited the city in the 7th century and named it Polonez, who wrote that the city was there about thirty temples with thirty monks, and the religious importance in the city continued to increase and grow in the 8th century when Adi Shankara established the cult of Lord Shiva and declared it the fantasy sect.

Food in Varanasi that you Shouldn't Miss:

Food enthusiasts in Varanasi are in for a treat. The city offers a wide range of delectable dishes that cater to both sweet and spicy cravings. From mouthwatering chaats to refreshing thandai and hearty thalis, Varanasi has something to offer at any time of the day. 

The abundance of street food vendors makes it convenient to indulge in the local delicacies. And, of course, no meal is complete without trying a Banarasi paan. Whether you're a local or a visitor, popular places like Keshri Chat Bandaar, Madhur Milan, Varuna, Chowk, and Lotus Lounge are must-visit spots to satisfy your culinary desires.

Beliefs and Story Behind Varanasi:

Hindus believe that Varanasi is the most sacred city on earth. They believe that the Five Pandava princes, according to the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, traveled to Kashi, known as Varanasi, after their victory in the grinding war against their cousins to purify themselves from the sins of war. And people have traveled to this city in northern India for centuries in search of freedom from sins. 

It was mentioned in the sacred Hindu texts that the person who dies on the lands of this city and his/her body is cremated on the banks of the sacred river Ganges will achieve salvation and be freed from the cycle of birth and death. A cremation ceremony is held on the stairs leading to the river, throughout the day. Hindus believe that the water of the river, which has been muddied by industrial and human waste until it has turned gray, washes away the sins of sinners, even for those who committed the lowest types of sins. 

Tourists and pilgrims, in boats, as they pass by the crematorium, see priests and relatives of the deceased mumbling prayers and praying for the dead's soul to be freed from chains amid the thick cloud of smoke rising from the burning of the burned corpse.

Guesthouses have been funded by charities and some companies have been set up in the city to accommodate men and women who came to live and die in the city, and these homes are called “homes of salvation”. The “Home of the Sick” is one of the oldest of these shelters, and it includes 116 rooms, 40 of which are reserved for men and women who came to the city especially to die and burn their bodies there. 

The guest pays a donation of about 100,000 rupees, equivalent to 1,135 pounds, depending on his financial status. He is given a room in the hostel in which he stays until his death. They do not provide food to the guest, and he/she has to bring it and prepare it himself. However, the administration usually takes the initiative to help those who need financial aid.

How to Reach Varanasi:

Varanasi is very easy to reach as there are many public and private transportation from most of the cities of India to there. You can travel by air, train, or public bus. Most of the visitors come to Varanasi from Delhi, which is in the west, or from Kolkata in the east. 

The main airport is 22 km from Varanasi city center and the train station is a major railroad crossroads connecting all major cities across India. Most tourists come by plane or by overnight train.

What is the Best Time to Visit Varanasi?

The best time to visit Varanasi is between September and March as you should avoid the Indian summer, which is famous for its burning sun, also you should avoid the rainy season and its many floods.