Introduction to Varanasi

The holy city of Varanasi, a religious pilgrimage place for Hindus, is one of the most pristine cities of the modern world. Varanasi located on the banks of the holy river Ganga has derived its name from the two rivers, Varuna and Assi, demarcating the North and the South of the city. Varanasi has been known by other names also, Benaras and Kashi are the popular ones. The Varanasi of yore was famous for its craftsmen especially the sculptors. It has added a distinct flavor to the architecture and general building designs in the city of Varanasi. The city was also known for the special Varanasi silk and muslin. Even today the Benarasi Silk Sari, a long cloth worn by Indian women, has a niche for itself in almost all the wardrobes. The city of Varanasi is believed to be the creation of the Hindu God Shiva and is considered a holy destination by the Hindus. They believe that a visit to the holy city of Varanasi will cleanse all their sins. Varanasi is the holy name associated with temples, learning, the holy river Ganga and the glory of Hindu culture. The Hindu belief and patronage made Varanasi a rich and glorious city with glittering temples of gold. This was the beginning of the nemesis; the city of Varanasi was attacked many a times by Mahmud Ghazni in the 11th century. He plundered the riches of the city, destroyed the temples and killed thousands of devout Hindu priests. The downfall of Varanasi continued under the Mughal occupation. Many a temples were destroyed to build mosques. The Hindu scholars and learned Pundits of Varanasi sought shelter in South Indian cities. Varanasi was even renamed during the Mughal rule. The British occupation saw the resurgence of the glory of Varanasi, it was granted the status of an Indian state. Varanasi falls in the typical ‘heat and dust’ subtropical climate zone of the North India. The summers can be hot and dusty with long days, whereas the winters are cold and dry. The monsoons during July to September can be excruciatingly humid, the three rivers add to the woes of the sweaty and sultry season. The economy of Varanasi is primarily a rural or cottage industry based economy. The Government of India has launched a number of schemes for the growth of sericulture, carpet weaving and other cottage trades. Varanasi is also famous for its sweets, particularly the Khoa, made by continued boiling of the milk over low heat. The special Varanasi betel leaf was for the connoisseurs during the Mughal Empire and even today it enjoys a prime place in the Indian mouth freshener recipes. Varanasi of today is a bustling city in the Indian state of UP, Uttar Pradesh. The city of Varanasi is a juxtaposition of ultra modern lifestyle with the ultra religious Hindu piety. This city gained a controversial status over the famous or the ill-famous Ram Temple-Babri Musjid issue. The city has been the cynosure of the media for all wrong reasons. The Mahmud Ghazni looted its riches in the 11th century and the 21st century saw it being attacked by the radical Muslim terror mongers.