Varanasi, Kashi or Banaras is the oldest living city in the world. The city is popular among Hindus and even other religious and spiritual people. People consider banaras a palace where one can get Moksh (salvation). People across the globe come to this city to achieve Nirvana (the ultimate relief).
The city’s old name is Kashi, is a Sanskrit word which means “shining”. Later on it became Varanasi which is even now used in official and government documentation. The city is named as Varanasi because it is situated between two rivers Varuna and Assi. Britishers came to the city in the 17th century and name this city Banaras, the literal meaning of this name is “always ready” (Bana) and the “juice of life” (ras). The name became popular and people start using it in day to day life.
History and Myth of Varanasi Banaras
Banaras has a rich history and several mythological stories are famous about the city. The city’s invention was a physical as well as discursive process. The stories of myths and spatial dimensions play a pivotal role in the way in which the city is perceived by the intellectuals. Especially the British orientalists used the myth and history of the city to represent in the modern form (S. Dodson, 2012:29).
The written history of Banaras can be found from the colonial period, Britishers paid much attention in writing the proper history of the city. According to H.R.Nevil the first historical age of the city can be traced with the life of the Buddha which can be confirmed by the excavation at Sarnath.
The next milestone in the history of Banaras was connected with fifth-century travels of the Chinese traveler “Fa-Hian”, followed by the seventh-century descriptions of another Chinese traveler, “Hiuen Thsiang”. The phase in the history of Banaras was the rule of Muslims in the city. After that Brishers came in to power in the city. The city is also related to many myths. And these mythological stories are somehow connected with the history of the city.
According to Namasivaya who was a local resident and also a monk related Ramakrishna Mission, Banaras was one of earliest outposts of the Aryan immigration. He also declares that the city had been a political center for “many Hindu kingdoms in ancient times. The two pasts, the mythical and the historical, became inextricably entwined and produced a discourse for the city that asserted this new narrative as the basis for creating a modern Hindu identity. It also altered spatial perspectives on the city (S. Dodson, 2012:32).
Culture of Banaras
Banaras has a rich culture with more than 80 ghats (riverfront) and thousands of temples in every alleys of the city. The ghats of banaras reflects its rich history and diversity of the city.
Ghats are not only the place of religious activities but it also includes some cultural and touristic activity. It also represents the religious harmony of the city. Some of the famous ghats of Banaras are dswashumedh ghat, assi ghat, rajendr prasad ghat, ahilya bhai ghat, marikarnika ghat and harishchandr ghat. Ganaga arti on these ghats are the main attraction for tourist. In recent years international and national leaders and other famous personalities are coming to Banaras to see the famous Ganga arti. It first started in Dswashumedh ghat but later on it was orginsed on other ghats as well. Another famous program which is organised on ghats is Subh-e-Banaras on Assi ghat.
Some of the famous temples of the city are Kashi Vishwanath temple. It is considered the most religious place for believers of Hinduism. People across the country come here around the year for darshan. Another famous temple is Sankat Mochan temple. It is believed that Tulsidas wrote famous epic literature Ramcharti Manas here only. Durga temple, Manas Mandir is some of the other famous religious places in the city. Banaras is not only important for Hinduism but it is also important for Buddhism and Jainism. Mahatma Buddha taught his first Dhamm. For Jainism also Banaras is considered as a religious place because it is birth place of 23rd Jain tirthankar Parshvanath.
Banaras is also famous for its festivals. It is believed that in each day people celebrate a festival here in Banaras. Some of the prominently celebrated festivals are Holi, Ramleela, Shivratri, dipawali, durga puja, nagpanchmi, jutputrika, Dev Dipawali.
Since the beginning Banaras has always been a center of education. People across the world come here to get education. There are 4 universities and several colleges in Banaras, Banaras Hindu University, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sampurnanad Sanskrit University.
BHU gives degree in several subjects. IIT, Law and Medical courses of the university are among the top ten in the country. Some of famous collges of Banaras are Harishchandar College, Agrsain College, Uday Pratap College. Apart from educational and cultural activities Banaras is also famous for medical tourism. People from Bihar and eastern U.P come to Banaras for medical treatment. Medical college of Banaras Hindu University is considered as the AIIMS of Purvanchal.
Banaras is also famous for music and dance. Some of the famous artists are from Banaras. Ustad Bismilah Khan, Girija Devi, Birju Maharaj, Kishan Maharaj are some of the famous personalities form Banaras. Banaras is also famous for Hindi Literature. Some of the famous hindi writers are from Banaras. Premchand is one of them who wrote some of the greatest hindi novels. Bhartendu Harishchandr who is known as the father of modern day Hindi literature is also from Banras.
Banaras is also famous for its unique food culture. Paan is quite popular in Banaras. Lassi, malaiyo, launglata, batti chokha, golgappa are some of the famous food of the city. People of Banaras also enjoy Bhang. It is also famous for Banarasi Sarees and its silk fabric. Muslim community is mainly involved in this business.
Banaras can be considered as a mini India. The city has different colonies of South Indians, Bengalies and Gujraties. They are not only settled here but they have created their own culture as well. They have built temples, established their food culture.
Article has been shared by an young writer of Varanasi