According to historians, Varanasi or Benares located on the banks of the Ganga, the holiest river of India, was founded around ten centuries before the birth of Christ. This ancient city finds mention in holy scriptures like the 'Vamana Purana', Buddhist scriptures and the epic Mahabharata. For centuries, Varanasi has been a centre of education, religion, art and culture.

It is believed that Varanasi was located on the land between the rivers Varuna and Assi - hence the name Varanasi. In the ancient Pali language Varanasi was called Benaresi - hence the name 'Benares'. Varanasi is also called 'Kashi' or the city of spiritual light. Kashi is said to be the place where Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati stood when the 'time started ticking'. Thousands of visitors throng to this not only for a dip in the holy river Ganga but also because of its temples, ghats and the Benaresi silk sarees and brocades which are cherished as collector's items across the world.  Benares has also produced many exponents of art, music, literature and crafts.