What is Kashi known for?
Kashi (Varanasi) is known as one of Hinduism's holiest cities and one of the world's oldest living cities. It is famous for Kashi Vishwanath Temple, its crescent of ghats on the Ganga, the evening Ganga Aarti, cremation at Manikarnika, Banarasi silk, classical music, and a centuries-old culture of learning.
On this page
Geography
Kashi lies on the west bank of the Ganga, where the river flows north in a broad crescent. The old city rises from the riverfront in a dense web of lanes (galis); the ghats — stone steps to the water — run along roughly 6–7 km of the bank. The far bank has traditionally been left largely open.
A long history
Kashi was a major kingdom in the time of the Buddha, who gave his first sermon at nearby Sarnath. Over the next two thousand years it grew into India's pre-eminent place of pilgrimage and learning. Read our ancient history page.
A city of learning
Kashi has long been a centre of Sanskrit learning. Banaras Hindu University, founded in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malaviya, is one of India's largest residential universities. The city is also associated with the poets Kabir, Ravidas and Tulsidas.
Music and craft
Banaras has its own tradition of Hindustani classical music (the Banaras gharana) and is famous for Banarasi silk saris, woven in the city's weaving neighbourhoods. See shopping in Varanasi.
Daily rhythms
Dawn bathers on the ghats, the bells of countless temples, boats on the river, the evening aarti: Kashi's day is marked by ritual. Early morning on the river is the best introduction to the city.
Explore further
Frequently asked questions
How many ghats are there in Varanasi?
The number usually cited is about 84 ghats along the riverfront, though counts vary.
When was Banaras Hindu University founded?
In 1916, by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Varanasi (encyclopaedia entry with cited references) (opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia — Reference work, checked September 2026
- Banaras: City of Light — Diana L. Eck (Knopf, 1982; Columbia University Press reprint) (opens in a new tab)
Columbia University Press — Scholarly source, checked September 2026
- Banaras Hindu University (opens in a new tab)
Banaras Hindu University — Scholarly source, checked September 2026
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism — Varanasi (opens in a new tab)
Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh — Government source, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
Related guides
- Why Kashi Is SacredWhy Hindus regard Kashi as sacred: Shiva's city, the promise of liberation (moksha), the Ganga, the Kashi Khanda's sacred geography and how belief shapes the city.
- Ancient HistoryWhat scripture, archaeology and early travellers tell us about ancient Kashi and the worship of Vishweshwara, and where tradition and historical evidence differ.
- Varanasi Travel GuideA practical Varanasi travel guide: best time to visit, how many days you need, which area to stay in, getting around, food, day trips to Sarnath and Ramnagar, and safety.
- GhatsA guide to the ghats of Varanasi: what a ghat is, the most important ghats from Assi to Panchganga, bathing and cremation ghats, boat rides, etiquette and a walking plan.
- KashiKashi, Varanasi, Banaras: the sacred city around Kashi Vishwanath. Its meaning in Hindu tradition, the Ganga and its aarti, pilgrimage circuits, ghats and temples.
- 10 Temples to VisitTen temples to visit in Varanasi, from Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna and Kal Bhairav to Vishalakshi, Sankat Mochan, the BHU Vishwanath temple and the Nepali Temple.