Varanasi

Varanasi or Banaras or Benares or Kashi all are the names of the oldest city in the world, a city on the banks of River Ganga in Uttar Pradesh state of India. Kashi, the city established by Lord Shiva is considered to be the land of Vishweshwar or Vishwanath means the master of world. According to Hindu mythology Varanasi is one of the seven holy cities in India which gives Moksha (emancipation), they are Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika and Dwarka.  Varanasi was the center of religious and artistic activities in ancient India and still so.  Varanasi is called the city of Ghats and Temples. There are eighty four (84) Ghats and nearly three thousand (3000) temples in the city. 

History of Varanasi:

“Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together”, these are the words of famous writer Mark Twain during his visit to Varanasi. There is hardly any example of such city which represents the history of the country it belongs to, but Varanasi is perhaps such city which has represented the history of India in the past, representing presently and hope to do so in future also. Hindu epic Mahabharat has explained the relation of Kashi and Kashi Naresh i.e. the king of Kashi with Kuru Dynasty. The princesses Ambika and Ambalika of Kashi were wed to Hastinapur Naresh Vichitravirya, the grandfather of Pandavas. During the time of Gautam Buddha Kashi was the center of religious studies and intellect. Adi Shankaracharya established the worship of Shiva as an official sect of Varanasi in eighth century. Glorious history of Varanasi had to bear many unfortunate incidents of demolition of many temples and loot of wealth from temples when Mohammad Ghori attacked Kashi in the end of twelfth century. The intellect of Varanasi restored soon and Varanasi again became the center of religious and cultural activities. Sixteenth century and early seventeenth century gave destructive set back to Varanasi during the rule of Mughals but Banaras restored its dignity soon by the interference of Marathas and Kachhwaha Rajputs. 

Culture of Varanasi:

Varanasi has many significant identities but cultural heritage is the most appreciable among them. Since ancient times, the city has been an important center of Hindu Devotion, pilgrimage, mysticism and poetry contributing to its cultural importance. Varanasi is associated with many renowned Indian writers and poets of early days till now such as Kabir Das, Saint Ravidas, and Tulsidas, who wrote Ram Charit Manas here. Kulluka Bhatt has written Manusmriti here in Varanasi in fifteenth century. Many other writers and poets related to Varanasi are Acharya Ramchandra Shukla, Baldev Upadhyay, Bhartendu Harishchandra, Devki Nandan Khatri, Munsi Prem Chand, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Jaishankar Prasad, Sudama Pandey Dhumil, etc. Varanasi is a major center of arts and designs which easily reflects in Silks and brocades with gold and silver thread work, carpet weaving, wooden toys, bangles, ivory work, artistic brass and copper ware, variety of handicrafts and perfume bottles. Artists, musicians, singers and dancers of world fame are associated with Varanasi or Varanasi is associated with them can’t say but the glory of Varanasi is associated with them and their contributions. Kishan Ji Maharaj, Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Girija Devi, and Pandit Ritwik Sanyal are well known artists associated with arts of music, dance and singing.