📍 Sacred City · Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi
वाराणसी (काशी)
Also known as: Kashi · Banaras · City of Light
Spiritual Significance
The oldest living city in the world and the holiest city in Hinduism. Kashi is the city of Lord Shiva where dying grants moksha (liberation). The ghats of Varanasi along the Ganga are the spiritual heart of India.
History
Varanasi is over 5,000 years old, mentioned in the Rigveda, Mahabharata, and Buddhist texts. Mark Twain called it 'older than history, older than tradition.' The city has been a centre of learning, philosophy, and spirituality since ancient times. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, inaugurated in December 2021 by PM Modi, expanded the temple premises from 3,000 sq ft to 5 lakh sq ft and transformed pilgrim access. By 2025, Varanasi recorded over 11 crore annual visitors, and the corridor has contributed over ₹1.25 lakh crore to the state economy.
Ancient Story
According to the Vamana Purana, the Varuna and Assi rivers originated from the body of the primordial person at the beginning of time. The land lying between them is believed to be the holiest of all pilgrimages. It is believed that Kashi rests on the trident (Trishul) of Lord Shiva, making it exempt from the universal destruction during Pralaya. According to myth, when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati, they left Mount Kailash and chose Kashi as their eternal earthly abode.
Location Map
Sacred Significance
Kashi is one of the seven Moksha-giving cities (Saptapuri). Lord Shiva is believed to reside here eternally. The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most iconic spiritual rituals in the world. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor has transformed the temple precinct, providing seamless access between the temple and the Ganga ghats, with modern amenities, digital queue management, and AI-powered crowd monitoring.
Things to Do
- ✨Witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- ✨Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple via the new Dham Corridor
- ✨Take a sunrise boat ride on the Ganga
- ✨Explore the ghats — Manikarnika, Assi, Harishchandra
- ✨Visit Sarnath (10 km) — where Buddha gave his first sermon