Varanasi: An Introduction
Sandip Mishra
Name and Origin
 One of the oldest cities of the world and the oldest city
of India
 Have several names: Varanasi, Banares, Kashi
 A place between Varuna and Assi
 Holy place for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains
 Significance of the Ganga River
Varanasi at the bank of the
Ganga
Attractions of the City
 Temples
 Sari
 Roads
 Gharana
 Pan
 Sadhu
City of Temples
 Old Kashi Vishwanath
 Sankat Mochan Temple
 Durga Mata Temple (Durga Kund)
 Manas Temple
 Bharat Mata Temple
 Banks of River Ganga (Ghat- Aarati)
Kashi Vishwanath
Durga Mata Temple
River Bank
Vishwanath Temple
Vishwanath Temple
Lord Shiva
Mosque near Vishwanath
Temple
River Bank
Nandi
Banarasi Sari
 Known in India for its special features
 Weavers mostly Muslim but customers Hindu and
representative of composite culture
 The city also produces carpets and handicrafts.
Banaras ki Galiyan
 Old City - so very narrow roads
 In the old part of the city, such as near the Vishwanath
Temple, it is difficult to see sunlight.
 Modern impacts in other parts but complicated traffic
 All means of transportation including animals commute
on the roads.
Music (Gharana)
• Music of Banaras Gharana is quite famous
• More than 200 years of history
• Initiated by Pandit Ram Sahai (1780–1826) who was a
tabla player
• Famous Personalities- Chhunulal Mishra, Giraja Devi,
Rajan-Sajan Mishra
• Every year, Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh
• Khayal, Dhrupad, Kajari, Chaita etc.
Sankat Mochan Sangeen
Mahotsava
Chhunulal Mishra
Tabala
Pan Shop
Sadhu
Mani Karnika Ghat
Sarnath Stupa
Sankat Mochan Temple
Dasasawmedh Ghat
Thank you