About the City
The world's oldest living city, breathing since before history.
Varanasi — known as Kashi, the City of Light, and Banaras — sits on the western bank of the sacred River Ganga. For over three millennia it has been India's spiritual capital, a place where pilgrims come to seek liberation (moksha) and where life and death dance openly beside the river.
Mark Twain wrote that Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend. Today its labyrinth of galis, glowing ghats, silk looms and temple bells make it one of the most extraordinary destinations on earth.
🕉 Spiritual Capital
🪔 Ganga Aarti Daily
🧵 Banarasi Silk
☸ Birthplace of Buddhism (Sarnath)
UNESCOCity of Music & Living Heritage on the Ganga