Varanasi – India’s ancient city:

“Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” – Mark Twain

• Varanasi, also popularly known as Banaras or Kashi is one of the oldest living citiesin the world.
• It is known as the land of Lord Shiva, and is an important pilgrimage spot on the tourism map of the country. 
• Associated with spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, and Yoga,Varanasi is also a center of learning.
• Varanasi is also called the cultural capital of India.
• Moreover, Gautam Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away from Varanasi in the village of Sarnath. 
• Dasaswamedh Ghat, Ganga aarti, Dhamek Stupa, Banaras Hindu University, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Ramnagar Fort among several others, make an important part of Varanasi’s culture.