Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Varanasi, India
1. Varanasi is the oldest continually inhabited city on earth
Varanasi, also known as Banaras or Kashi, is considered by many to be the oldest continually inhabited city on earth.
It’s namesake comes from the place of its founding at the confluence of the Varuna and Assi river tributaries.
2. Varanasi was created by the Gods
Hindu legend has it that Varanasi was created after an epic battle between the supreme Hindu deities Shiva and Brahma. Shiva severed one of Brahma’s four heads and dropped it into the ground to create this divine city from Hindu creator.
3. Varanasi is the holiest city in Hinduism and Jainism
It is regarded as being the holiest of the seven sacred cities in India and is believed by many to be the home of the Hindu God Shiva.
4. The Buddhist religion was founded in the area
The Buddha met his disciples, gave his first sermon, and began his teachings in the area known as Sarnath.
Dhamekh Stupa
Chaukhandi Stupa
Thai Temple
5. Locals and the Faithful believe the water of the Ganges river to be a divine goddess with the power to purify and heal
Although the Ganges is one of the world’s most polluted rivers in the world, people have for centuries used the water to bathe, farm, wash clothes, anoint, pray, swim, purify, refresh, worship, dump, celebrate, release ashes of the dead, mourn, drink, gather water, etc. – – and locals [surprisingly] seem to not be negatively affected from the exposure and, in fact, seem to gain a profound positive effect from its waters.
True Story: Many locals I talked to told me the same thing over and over: “If you were to take water from the river in a jug it would appear brown and dirty. However, if you let it sit for a week in the jug, it would turn crystal clear and have a very pure and delicious taste”.
I have not independently verified this to be true.
6. The Ganges may have a scientific basis for its purifying reputation
Several recent studies have shown the river may have unique antibacterial and antimicrobial properties due to the presence of bacteriophages (viruses that kill bacteria).
Additionally, various studies have claimed the Ganges has beneficially high oxygen levels, is filtered effectively by its fast moving nature and topography, and is clean because the river’s source is the pure snow of the Himalayas.
7. “Ganges” is not the real name of a the river
The Indian name of the river is “Ganga”. The suffix “-ji”, which denotes honor and respect, is frequently added to form the name “Ganga-ji”, which is likely what Westerners unintentionally changed into the similar sounding name “Ganges”.
8. Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi allows the soul to achieve Salvation/Nirvana.
So holy is the city, that Hindus believe dying in Varanasi would lead to instant salvation. If they can’t die there, the next best thing is to be cremated there as the Ganga is said to carry the ashes of the dead to Heaven.
9. Varanasi has one of the largest University Student Complexes In Asia, which includes the Banaras Hindu University
Bharat Mata Temple
10. Varanasi is completely doable on your own!
“Must-do” things include: a river cruise at sunrise, witnessing the nightly Aarti ritual, walking the ghats from end to end, side-trip to Sarnath, viewing the many temples and street scenes, and seeing the giant marble map of India at the Bharat Mata Temple.
Ganesh – The Hindu God of New Beginnings
