| Varanasi, the holy city of India, is also known by the | | | | that place. It is believed that three nights of fasting in |
| name of Kashi and Benaras. Kashi, the city of Moksha | | | | Varanasi city can reap you rewards of many |
| for Hindus since centuries, is known for its fine-quality | | | | thousands of lifetimes of asceticism! |
| silks, 'paan' and Benares Hindu University and Avimukta | | | | Varanasi is the oldest city of the world. Varanasi is |
| of the ancient days, Varanasi is the most popular | | | | more than 3000 years old and is famous as the city of |
| pilgrimage point for the Hindus. One of the seven | | | | temples. In Varanasi, there are temples at every few |
| holiest cities, Varanasi city is also one the Shakti | | | | paces. Looking at the number of temples in Varanasi, it |
| Peethas and one of the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in | | | | is hard to believe that a large number of them were |
| India. In Hinduism it is believed that those who die and | | | | demolished during the medieval times. Jyotirlinga |
| are cremated here get an instant gateway to liberation | | | | Visvanatha Temple or Golden Temple, rebuilt in 1776, is |
| from the cycle of births and re-births. | | | | dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Jnana Vapi well (meaning |
| Considered as the abode of Lord Shiva, Varanasi is | | | | 'Well of Wisdom) is believed to have been dug by |
| situated on the banks of River Ganges, which is | | | | Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that the majestic |
| believed to have the power of washing away all of | | | | Alamgir mosque has replaced one of the most ancient |
| one's sins. As pundits here will tell you, whatever is | | | | shrines known as the temple of Bindu Madhava. The |
| sacrificed and chanted here or given in charity reaps | | | | thirty-three hundred million shrines fill one with awe and |
| its fruits thousand times more than those good deeds | | | | wonder with sheer numbers. |
| performed at other places because of the power of | | | | |