Mark Twain, the English author  and  litterateur,  who  was  mesmerized  by  the  legend  and sanctity of Benaras,  once wrote : "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".

To every visitor Varanasi offers a breathtaking experience. The rays of the dawn shimmering across the Ganges... the high-banks; the temples and shrines along the banks bathed    in a golden hue ...soul stirring hymns and mantras along with the fragrance of incense filling the air...and the refreshing dip in the holy waters gently splashing at the Ghats. Varanasi - the land where experience and discovery reach the ultimate bliss.

Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. According to the historians, the city was founded some ten centuries before the birth of Christ. Name of Varanasi is mentioned in Mahabharat and Budhist scripture Jataka Tales. According to the 'Vamana Purana', the Varuna and the Assi rivers   originated from the body of the primordial Person at the beginning of time. The part of land lying between them is called 'Varanasi', the holiest of all cities. It probably derives from the two rivers that embrace the city, the Varuna to the north and the Asi to the south. Another name for Varanasi is Kashi. The word 'Kashi' originated from the word 'Kash' that means to shine. Kashi, "the shining one", refers to the light of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu philosophy light is symbol of the wisdom that destroys the darkness of ignorance and sin. Sin and evil are understood to be the acts of ignorance. When wisdom is acquired, evil disappears. Immorality is also reached through wisdom and understanding. So, Kashi, the City of Light is the City of Eternal Wisdom as well.

Another name for Varanasi is Avimukta that means "Never Forsaken". This refers to the city where Shiva ever resides, or the city that one should never leave. Varanasi's association with Shiva goes back unto the times of Purans. There is a legend describing how, after his marriage to Parvati, Shiva left Kailash Mountain and came to reside in Kashi with all the Ganas. Other lesser-known names for Varanasi include Anandavana, the "forest of bliss", and Rudravasa, "the place where Rudra (Shiva) resides".

The ancient and holy city of Varanasi is situated on the banks of the river Ganga in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is located in the middle Ganga valley of North India, in the eastern-most part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. It lies between the parallel of 82º 56'E - 83º 03'E and 25º 14'N - 25º 23.5'N longitude. The district has the greatest length of 82 km, running from east to west and greatest breadth of 58 km from north to south.

One can reach Benaras by road, rail, air and navigational transport. It has an aerodrome at Babatpur, which is at a distance of about 27 kms north-west of the city, connecting it with Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai, Kanpur and Kathmandu.

The city is supposed to be situated on the trident of Lord Shiva. The Hindus consider it a blessing to die in Varanasi. According to popular belief, one who has the privilege of dying in Varanasi attains heaven. Shiva's perennial abode Kashi is protected by his loyal attendants Kalabhairav and Dandapani. Over 350 gods and goddesses, including a protective ring of Ganesha form a mandala or sacred circular pattern touching the western banks of river Ganges, with Shiva Vishwanath residing at its centre. This is the place where sacred Vishwanath temple is situated. This arc or circular pattern is called Panchkoshi Parikrama or circumambulate. A smaller area, defined as Avimukta, starts at Kedara Ghat in the south and ends at Trilochana Ghat. Most important of all is Antargriha, the "Inner Sanctum" around the Vishwanatha Temple, which is surrounded by Dashashwamedha Ghat, Surya Kund, the lingam of Bharabhuta, and Manikarnika Ghat. Another, later, interpretation suggests three sectors or khandas in the form of Shiva's trident, each centered around a temple - Omkara to the north, Vishvanatha in the centre and Kedar to the south.

Till now, Varanasi is recognized as a centre of religious and cultural activities. It is known for its large temples, Ghats and monasteries.  Some of the renowned temples are -

Vishwanath Temple

The Vishwanatha temple is situated near the Dashashwamedha Ghat at the city-centre of Varanasi. It is the most sacred temple of Varanasi devoted to Lord Shiva. This temple is also called the 'Golden Temple', which in its present shape was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. Inside the compound - which is hidden behind a wall, and entered through a very ordinary looking doorway - is one of India's most important Shiva lingams, made of smooth black stone. The shrines of the  protectors of Vishwanath temple - Mahakala and Dandapani, and the lingam of Avimukteshvara - the Lord of the Unforsaken, which is believed to be older than Vishwanath Lingam itself and once held much greater significance, are situated in the same premises .It is believed that a single view of Vishwanath jyotirlinga is considered to be of great merit, more than that of all other jyotirlingas put together.

Durga Temple

This temple is of goddess Durga, which is located in a large rectangular tank called the Durga Kund in the southern sector of the city. She is said to protect Varanasi from the south, in her fierce form known as Chandika. It is believed that statue of Durga appeared on its own. Some times, it is also called the 'Monkey temple' because of the presence of a large number of monkeys in the premises.

Sankata Devi Temple

This temple is located high above the Sindhiya ghat in the labyrinthine lanes of the city. In ancient scriptures, she is called 'Vikat-Matrika' or 'the Fierce Mother'. Sankata Devi means 'Goddess of Dangers' for she is the one who vanquishes dangers for her devotees.

Annapoorna Bhavani

This temple is located near the Vishwanath temple on the opposite side of the lane. A visit to the Kashi Vishwanath temple is always followed by a visit to the temple of Annapoorna Bhavani. Annpoorna refers to the form of the Goddess in which she becomes the presiding deity of prosperity. It is also considered to be one of the Shakti Peethas of India. It is believed that the left hand of Sati fell at Varanasi, and that Annapoorna or Vishalakshi represent the Shakti Peetham here.

Kal Bhairava

This temple is located near the Golghar of Varanasi. Kal Bhairava literally translates into 'black terror'. He is also identified as the inspector or 'Kotwal' of Kashi. Bhairav is considered a fearsome manifestation of Shiva, who wears a garland of skulls and carries a club of peacock feathers.  Even the Lord of Death himself is said to   be fearful of Kal Bhairava. It is believed that if someone incurs his wrath, he/she cannot leave Varanasi for the rest of his life.

Tulsi Manas Temple

This temple is situated near Durga temple. It is also called the Birla temple as it has been built by the industrialist, G.D. Birla. The complete Ramacharitamanas is written on the walls of this temple. This temple is huge and is spread across a very large area. It has been constructed almost entirely using white marble.

Sankat Mochan

This temple is located near the Durga temple. Sankat Mochan is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is believed that it was here that Lord Hanuman used to listen to the Ram- Katha in the form of a leper. Tulsidas is said to have met Lord Hanuman in this temple. A large number of devotees visit this temple every day.

New Vishwanath temple

This temple is located in the premises of Benaras Hindu University and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a replica of the original Vishwanath temple, built in white marble. This temple was designed by Pt.Madan Mohan Malviya who was also the founder of this University. This temple is open to people of all castes and religions unlike other temples of Varanasi.

Sarnath

Sarnath, known for ancient ruins of Buddhist stupas, monasteries and temples, is situated at a distance of 6 kms. To the north of Varanasi city witch is well connected by road, rail & air.  Sarnath is one of the four most important Bhuddhist   pilgrimage centers of   India. Buddha,  the  great  sage , after   attaining enlightenment (Buddha-hood) at Bodh Gaya came to  Sarnath  and  delivered  his   first sermon to  five  disciples  (i.e.  Kaundinya, Bashpa, Bhadrika, Mahanaman and Ashvajit) for redeeming humanity. It is this place where foundation of a new order of monks (Sangha) and a new order of   religious   doctrine (Dhamma) was laid. Sarnath is also sacred to the Janis because they look upon it as the site of asceticism and death of Shreyamshanath, the 11^th Trithankara.In ancient  Bhuddhist  literature  the  place  finds  mention  as  Rishipatna  and  Mrigdava  or Mrigadaya. The place was called Rishipatna, as it was here the bodies of five hundred Pratyeka Buddha's or Rishis (Sages) fell after their attainment of nirvana (Salvation).According to the Jataka, in one of his previous births Buddha as a leader of a herd of deer, for saving life of a doe, appeared before the king of Benaras who relished on the flesh of a deer everyday. On being moved by his sacrificial zeal the king made the place a free roaming ground, thus it was known as Mrigdava (deer park). The inscriptions of early medieval period found from Sarnath referred to this place as Dharamchakra or Sadhamacharka pravartana vihar. The modern name Sarnath seems to be a contraction of Saranganath (Lord of deer) still borne by the Lord Shiva enshrined in a temple nearby.

The Ghats Of Ganga

The Ganga is one of the greatest attractions of Varanasi. It is believed in Hindu mythology that Ganga has come down from heaven to wash away the worldly sins of the mortals. The centre of life and activities in the city is the holy river. Along the river, the Hindus have set up stairways, known as Ghats that are used for bathing. There are some eighty-four Ghats in Varanasi alone. Some famous Ghats are-Assi, Dasaswamedh, Manikarnika, Harishchandra, Panchganga, Tulsi Ghat etc. Some of these are used for cremation.

Varnasi is the city of learning. It has three universities - Benaras Hindu University, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidhyapeeth, and Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya. It has been a centre for the study of astrology, Sanskrit, Yoga and Ayurveda since long ago. The city is rich in art, music, dance and literature. Apart from this, the city also is a flourishing center of trade and industry. Varanasi is also the center of art of silk weaving, an exotic work of art producing precious  Banarasi Silk Sarees  and Silk brocades, which are cherished as collector's items across the world today. Other handicraft products of the city include hand-hammered brassware, wooden toys along with heavy gold and silver ornaments. These crafts represent the traditional culture