History of Varanasi

Featuring as an important religious centre and hub of learning throughout history, Varanasi has a long and fascinating past. Said to be the one-time home of the God Shiva, the city is an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, evidenced by the hundreds of temples and the mention of the city in the ancient Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.

For centuries, Hindus have travelled from far and wide to bathe in the Ganges, an act that is thought to cleanse the bather of their sins. Hindus also believe that dying in the city stops the cycle of rebirth. Many pilgrims collect a vessel of Ganges water to take back home; drinking this in your dying moments is thought to ensure your soul goes to heaven.

It is however not just Hindus that feel a strong connection with the city. The Buddha came to preach at Sarnath, just 10kms away, in 500 BC and designated Varanasi as a pilgrim site. Today, Buddhist pilgrims come to the ancient city to see the site of the Buddha’s first sermon. Jains and Muslims have also helped to shape the religious character of Varanasi and both religions also have sites of religious importance here.

The diverse religious combination in Varanasi has unfortunately been a source of conflict in the past and has on occasions led to the destruction of some of Varanasi’s most ancient temples, with most of the religious structures that are visible today dating from the 17th century onwards. Aurangzeb, the last Mughal ruler, is particularly remembered for his religious intolerance and defilement of many of Varanasi’s Hindu temples in the 17th century.

Also known for its silk making industry, Varanasi, ‘the cultural capital of the world’, is at the forefront of silk sari production and you will find many quality tailors throughout the city. A centre of learning too, the establishment of the Banaras Hindu University in 1915 has attracted thousands of young scholars to the city and the university is now classified as the largest residential university in Asia.

The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

Ganges is said to have its origins in the tresses of Lord Shiva and in Varanasi, it expands to the mighty river that we know of. The city is a center of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. With Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away, Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to Gods, Indian arts and crafts have all flourished here for centuries. Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.

Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi harmoniously. With a number of temples, Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her 'Theosophical Society' and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, to institute 'Benares Hindu University, the biggest University in Asia. Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated with Varanasi, the holy city. Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

Varanasi has also been a great center of learning for ages. Varanasi is associated with promotion of spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language and honored authors such as the ever-famous novelist Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas. Aptly called as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi has provided the right platform for all cultural activities to flourish. Many exponents of dance and music have come from Varanasi. Ravi Shankar, the internationally renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons of the blessed city or have lived here for major part of their lives.