The Mysticism of the pious city of Varanasi Varanasi is called the holy city of India. This holy city is located in the southeastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. It rests on the left bank of the holy Ganges and is deemed one of the seven sacred spots for Hindus. The original name of Varanasi was 'Kashi' derived from the word 'Kasha' that means brightness. The present name Varanasi has its origin in the two tributaries of the Ganges namely 'Varuna' and 'Asi' which flanks its northern and southern borders. Another name Banaras or Benaras is considered to be the corrupted form of the name 'Varanasi'. This city is deemed to be the oldest city in this world and the historians have ascertained that the Aryans first settled in the middle Ganges valley and by the second millennium BC, Varanasi became the commercial and industrial center famous for its silk fabrics, ivory work, perfumes, sculptures and the main centre of Aryan religion and philosophy.

(A view of the holy city of Varanasi)

In 6th century BC, Varanasi became the capital of the kingdom of Kashi. During this time Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at a place called ' Sarnath'. just 10 km away from Varanasi . Sarnath also is one of the major tourist attractions of Varanasi .

(The famous stupa of Sarnath)

Gradually Varanasi developed as a center of religious, educational, cultural and artistic activities and fetched many learned men from around the world. However, during muslim regime, Varanasi went into a destructive phase for almost three centuries leading the destruction of many famous temples and many scholars also had to leave the city. This city is a true paradise for pilgrims who visit the 'Ghats' (Wharf) of the Ganges for making a holy dip in the divine waters of the Ganges for spiritual rewards like deliverance from sin and attainment of nirvana (Free spirit). The Hindus believe that anyone who dies on the banks of Ganges in Varanasi is an assurance of heavenly bliss and emancipation from the eternal cycle of birth and death.

(One of the famous ' Dashaswamegh Ghat (Wharf) in Varanasi)

Popular ghats of Varanasi:

1. The Tulsi Ghat 2. The Bhadaini Ghat 3. The Panchkoat Ghat 4. The Dasaswamedh Ghat

Varanasi is also famous for its antique temples. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is quite famous in India and around the world. It is a very old temple and has withstood the onslaught of various invasions by muslim rulers. The present temple was rebuilt by Rani Ahalya Bai Holkar, the ruler of Indore, in 1776. Then in 1835, the Sikh ruler of Lahore, Maharaja Ranjit Singh had its 15.5 m high spire plated in gold. Varanasi is the city where one can ponder upon the intricate cycle of birth and death.

For Hindus, the Ganges is 'river of heaven' and some of its sanctity reaches out to the

tourists also. Varanasi also gives a chance to experience the closeness of death and force

the human mind to consider on the fragility of life. Hindus believe that once a person is

born he or she never dies. Lord Krishna said in the holy Gita that ' "Worn-out garments

are shed by the body: worn-out bodies are shed by the dweller within...New bodies are

donned by the dweller, like garments.”

(The Soul, Death and Afterlife in Hinduism)

The holy vedas are the oldest books in this earth. They refer to two paths taken after death: 1. The path of ancestors where the deceased travels to heaven occupied by ancestors and is ultimately reborn. 2. The path of gods where the deceased enters a realm at the sun and never returns. Moreover, there is also a reference of a hell like 'pit' where sinners are penalized.

(Funeral pyre at the banks of Ganges)

It is eternal truth that if someone is born, he will inevitably be died. This is the rule of the nature and part of the cycle of Life and death. But the Atman (soul) never dies. At death the sheaths break apart one by one, and go their separate ways revealing the atman, which departs the body and goes on a path defined by an individual’s karma (Good deeds or bad deeds. At last, it is worthy to say that it is a great city that make us learn so many things and help us realize the fragility of life. In Varanasi we observe the sanctity of a river who has given life to millions of peoples and nourished the Indian civilization and is still serving the humanity. On the other side this river who has given life is also become a medium to bring salvation after death. That's why this great river has been worshiped from thousands of years and this ritual is still continues. One must visit this incredible city in his lifetime to understand the intricacy of life and death.

(Priest performing Ganga Arti (Worship of Holy Ganges))