Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi has been the confluence of various religious beliefs and has been the cultural and religious center of North India for thousands of years. Its 8 facts are as follows.
It is said that Banaras was founded by Adidev Shivshankar. Gautam Buddha established Buddhism here and gave his first sermon in this city. Many prominent people of the Bhakti period were born in Varanasi.
During the reign of Aurangzeb, many temples in Varanasi were demolished, among them Kashi Vishwanath Temple. During the British rule, Varanasi was made a new state with Ramnagar as its capital.
This city is also world famous for Banarasi sarees. Gold brocade sarees are incomparable in themselves. Sewing silk clothes is the main work here. Most of the Muslims remain busy in these works.
There is an influx of tourists throughout the year to visit the famous religious places and historical places here. Especially among the historical places, Ramnagar Fort is a prominent place. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Ganges. It was built by Kashi King Raja Balwant Singh in the eighteenth century. There is also Jain Ghat here which is the birth place of Lord Parshvanath. Three Jain temples have been built on this ghat.
Dashashwamedh Ghat situated on the banks of Ganga is the oldest ghat. It is said that Brahma built this ghat for Shiva. Kashi Vishwanath Temple located in Varanasi is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is believed that one attains salvation by visiting this temple after taking bath in Ganga. Sankat Mochan Temple and Durga Temple are one of the sacred temples of Hindus. Among the mosques, Gyanvapaia Alam Gir and Bibi Razia mosques are prominent.
Banaras also has a unique identity for its food and drink. Be it Banarasi Paan, Langra, Mango, Malaiyo, Kachori Jalebi or other food items, all add to the Banarasi specialty with their taste. Be it the bright taste of gram ghugni in morning breakfast or the crispness of samosas, each has its own identity which makes Varanasi unique.
It is also a city of creators. Here Kabir, Raidas, Jaishankar Prasad, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Premchand etc. are famous writers. Even in the field of musical art, Varanasi has been the birthplace of personalities like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Girija Devi, Sitara Devi, Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Kashi Hindu University, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University and Central Tibetan University, Banaras spread the word of knowledge all over the world.
Ultimately it can be said that Varanasi is such a vibrant city that has many historical facts, economic features, religious places and cultural heritage in its area. Coming to Varanasi is the wish of every Hindu. It is also called the city of salvation.