The Spiritual
C apital of India
History Of Varanasi
Popularly known as Kashi or Banaras, the quaintly
charming land of Varanasi is the oldest living city
in the world. It is a centre of Hindu culture and
mythology, literature and art. The origin dates
back to 2500 years ago when Lord Shiva married
Goddess Parvati and chose to make the city their
abode. Later the Aryans came and inhabited the
city and thus began the trade of silk, muslin, ivory
and perfumes. During the Afghan invasion and
Muslim rule, Varanasi suffered a destructive phase
which involved the demolition and destruction of
temples. But it's glory was restored during the rule
of Mughal emperor Akbar.
Culture of Varanasi
Varanasi has been a part of Indian civilisation since
the beginning of time. Successive empires have
made this city their trading and cultural hub, and
this has brought the city into contact with a broad
range of cultures. From the early dynasties like
Mauryas and Guptas to the Medieval period of
Mughals and later on the British Empire, Varanasi
has been subjected to the influence of Greek,
Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, Christians and Jain ways
of life. A large number of monuments currently
standing in and near the city are a testament to
this diverse past. Varanasi was also a very wealthy
city for a long time, and the grandeur of the Ghats,
public places and places of worship reflects this.
Ganga, the backbone of
Varanasi
Like all cities of early India, Varanasi evolved into a
major hub because it was located on the side of a
river. Trade, commerce, worship, living quarters
and daily routines in this city have been heavily
influenced by the ways of the Ganga. Even today, it
is the main source of water for the city and some
amount of navigation takes places across this river.
It is also the focus of cultural life and large daily
congregations at the Ghats, parks and mosques at
the banks of the river form the basis of social life.
Since it attracts a large number of tourists, the
Ganga is also responsible for a large part of the
city's revenue in the form of tourism.
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