Varnasi is one of the oldest cities in the world. This city is situated on the banks of river Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Th eculture of the city is connected with river Ganga. Varanasi is the symbol of Hinduism. It was site of Aryan settlement before the 2nd millennium BC. It is one of the seven sacred cites of Hinduism and has numerous shrines, temples and places as well as miles of steps for ritual bathing. More than a million Hindus visit the city each year.

In the Rig Veda, the city is referred to as Kasi, which means the luminous. It is also described as the city of temples and learning. The name finds mention in the Mahabharata and in the Jataka tales of Buddhism. The city gets its name as a result of the two rivers that flank the city. The Varna to the north and Asi to the South.

Varanasi is the home of Banaras Hindu University. It is here that Tulsidas wrote his Ramcharitmanas and Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath which is near to Kashi. Varanasi is a commercial and industrial centre famous for its muslin and silk fabrics. It is said that Ayurveda originated at Varnasi.

History of Varanasi
According to the Hindu mythology, Varanasi was founded Shiva. As a result Varanasi has become an important tourist destination. The city is believed to be 3000 years old. Mohammed Ghori invaded the city in 1193 CE. There was a series of plunder by the Muslims. The plunder ended with Warren Hastings. There was relief from the plunders during the seventeenth century, when Akbar ruled it. But there was again disturbance during the time of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, he renamed the city as Mohammadabad.

Only in the 18th century, Varanasi became an independent kingdom. Under subsequent British rule it remained a commercial and religious centre. In 1910 the British made Varanasi a new Indian state.

Geography of Varnasi
Varnasi is located in the middle Ganga valley of North India. The city covers an area of of 112.26 km². The city is located on a higher ground between rivers Ganga and Varuna. The distance between these two confluences is around 2.5 miles. The maen elevation is 80.71 m.

Places of interest at Varanasi

The places of interest in Varnasi are

• New Vishwanath Temple is also known as the Golden Temple.
•Alamagir Mosque which overlooks the Panchganga Ghat.
•Man Mandir Observatory
•Tulsi Manas Temple
•Durga Temple
•Banaras Hindu University