Varanasi is an incredible city in India that is visited by millions of people from every part of the world. Not only temples, there are many things that people find unique and charming in this city. Every city in this world has its own fascinating history. The same goes with Varanasi, the oldest inhabited city in the world. The city that is India’s spiritual center is thought to have been inhabited as early as the Indus Valley civilization. In addition to being India’s oldest city, Varanasi is also the spot where Hinduism, the world’s oldest religion, originated. Let’s have a look at the past of Varanasi.
How old is Varanasi?
“Benares is older than history, older than tradition, and even older than legend, and it looks twice as old as all of them put together”.
This remark by Mark Twain clearly depicts how old Varanasi is. Varanasi is the oldest continuously inhabited city in India given its strong archaeological and historical evidence of habitation dating back to its founding in the 11th century B.C. It is also home to some of India’s most sacred Hindu temples that dates back millions years. Kashi is said to be the ‘original ground’ that was formed by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to the popular mythology, Kashi is not located on the earth but rather on the tip of Shiva’s trishul, the trident. It is believed that it was established by Lord Shiva 5,000 years ago; however, most modern experts consider that it is just about 3,000 years old. The city is steeped in history and has a rich mythical heritage. Varanasi is particularly revered in Hinduism, and has been mentioned in various ancient texts including the Ramayana, the Puranas, and the Mahabharata. All these factors contribute to making Varanasi a city of great historical, spiritual, and cultural value.