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History of Varanasi
The holy city of Varanasi, also referred to as Benaras, has been one
of the most popular pilgrimage destinations for Hindus. However the
religious sanctity attached to Varanasi is not just limited to Hindus.
It is also a pilgrimage place for Jains, as Varanasi is believed to
be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.
The antiquity of Varanasi goes back to several thousand years and
this revered city has references in several literary sources like the
great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as in Buddhist Jataka
stories.
Varanasi has always remained a center of education, knowledge, philosophy,
culture, art and craft, and commerce. Ayurveda, the Indian system of
medicine, is said to have originated at Varanasi and Patanjali, the
preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, is also generally associated with Varanasi.
Even today Varanasi is a popular center of education and learning and
Benares Hindu University, founded by Madan Mohan Malviya, is a premier
University of India. Varanasi is also famous for trade and commerce,
especially for its finest silk products and gold and silver brocades,
since ancient period.
Mythological Legends
The holy city of Varanasi is steeped in cultural tradition and mythological
legacy. It is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is
believed that a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges cleanses all past
sins. Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi
would attain salvation (moksha) and freedom from the cycle of birth
and re-birth. Another popular belief is that immersion of the ashes
of the dead in the ghats grants their soul eternal peace.
Every day thousands of devotees flock to Temples and Ghats of Varanasi
to show their religious devotion by performing aarti and taking a ritual
bath. Ghats of Varanasi provides a spectacular view of thousands of
devotees performing their religious rituals with earthen diyas in their
hands
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History
of Agra
