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Introduction : |
‘Varanasi’ the name was derived from the river Varuna, as the city laid on the confluence of the river Varuna and Ganga.
Also known as ‘Benaras’ in the earlier days, the city is the holiest of the Hindu cities and was considered a center of learning during ancient India.
The place has had such an importance in the |
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Indian History and can be gauged by the fact that – Huen Tsang, the renowned Chinese traveler and Historian had visited the city of Varanasi way back in the 7th century A.D to learn Sanskrit and about Hindu scriptures.
Mark Twain describes the city as, “older than legend, older than tradition ...older than all these put together”.
The city that was once a flourishing center of learning is even today sought after for learning Sanskrit. However, much of the antiquity of the city that one might be looking for is located at the north extreme of the present Varanasi, perhaps considered outside the main city of Varanasi. The city of Varanasi that was brutally destroyed by the invaders after 12th century has been rebuilt over and over again. Hence, there is not much of the old city reminisces to be had here.
Varanasi, with its much polluted Ganga and without its old world charm does not hold the status it once enjoyed in ancient India.
Although the city still holds its religious significance. In Hinduism it is believed that dying in Varanasi, will help them attain salvation (Moksha).Not sure looking at the state of affairs of the Ganges if many will vouch for that in today’s time.
Today, other than its famous temples and Ghats with thousands of devotees thronging to take a dip in holy Ganga, the city is also renowned for its Banaras Hindu University (BHU), famous Banarsi Sarees, and stuffy by-lanes, horribly managed traffic and pollution.
But then amidst all this there is a belief to be discovered, a tradition to be followed and a city to be seen and experienced. This is Varanasi in a nutshell for you!
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