Varanasi also known as Benares , Banaras, or Kashi is an North Indian city on the banks of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (200 mi) south-east of the state capital, Lucknow. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Some Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi is also known as the favourite city of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva . It has been mentioned in the Rigveda that this city in older times was known as Kashi .][not in citation given] The Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kashi) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi, and an essential part of all religious celebrations.The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the Ganges. The city has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years, and has a history that is older than most of the major world religions. The Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music was developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians live or have lived in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, located near Varanasi. Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India. It is often referred to as "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of Shiva", and "the city of learning". Scholarly books have been written in the city, including the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas. Today, there is a temple in the city, the Tulsi Manas Mandir. The current temples and religious institutions in the city are dated to the 18th century.[9] One of the largest residential universities of Asia, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), is located here. Varanasi has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India. Subscribe to the TRAVEL SAGA CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW4_VOM49mBF_iEJ9-U_kdA?sub_confirmation=1 To Watch Other Videos on TEMPLES OF INDIA, Click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpa7x1Gd93s&list=PL2xNskulhI8KLY02QTKq4JmJlfj09SrzB Become a Geethanjalivideos Fan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173185482811512/ Playlists: TEMPLES OF TAMILNADU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpa7x1Gd93s&list=PL2xNskulhI8KLY02QTKq4JmJlfj09SrzB KHAJURAHO MADHYA PRADESH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnGidCFUB3k&list=PL2xNskulhI8J4F1vHNCjuEJV9nnsnsg99 GIVE YOUR KIDS A BEST START IN LIFE..THANKS FOR WATCHING FOR ONLINE PURCHASE VISIT US AT http://www.musicandchants.com/ Connect with us: google+: https://plus.google.com/111059833508006709219/posts https://www.facebook.com/superaudiomadras twitter: https://twitter.com/musicandchants Find us on http://www.pinterest.com/navindaswani5/
