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Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”
- 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚃𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚗

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India's oldest city is also one of world's earliest centres of civilisation. The history of Varanasi stretches back several thousand years, with a vital role at the heart of Indian religion and spirituality throughout the entire era.

Buddhists, Hindus and also Jains all consider Varanasi and the Ganges River along which it sits to be the holiest place in all of India, if not the world. The 'City of Temples' remains to this day the most important spiritual site in the country.

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Legend has it that Varanasi's history began when the Hindu god Shiva founded the city along the holy Ganges many millennia ago. It has always held a special place in the mythology, poetry, history and religion of Indian civilisation, and is one of the seven sacred cities in the Hindu belief system.

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With close to 3,000 temples and shrines dotting the city's landscape, Varanasi is often referred to as the City of Temples. ... The temples here are highly revered across India and are visited by many foreigners as well. In Hindu mythology, the city is considered the place for absolute salvation.

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The official name of Varanasi is not a modern name. It is possibly based on the fact that it lies between where the Varuna River, to the north, and the river Assi, to the south, flow into the river Ganga . The name Varanasi was spelt Baranasi in Pali, which ultimately gave birth to the name Banaras.

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Varanasi has 88 ghats which are famous for bathing in Ganga to wash away their sins and for puja ceremony of Lord Vishwanath.

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I would love to live near Haridwar or Varanasi, since they are such holy spots for Hinduism.” – JULIA ROBERTS