One Of Worlds Oldest City Once Mesmerized Mark Twain; In Existence For Over.....Years; Not In Greece, Egypt Or America- Its In…

photoDetails english 2913667 https://zeenews.india.com/photos/india/one-of-worlds-oldest-city-once-mesmerized-mark-twain-in-existence-for-over-years-not-in-greece-egypt-or-america-its-in-2913676 Updated:Jun 10, 2025, 12:24 PM IST Oldest City In India
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The holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is one of the oldest living cities in the world and is widely considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in India. Known By Many Names
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Varanasi is also known by other names- Banaras and Kashi. Mark Twain's Quote
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According to the government website of the city, Mark Twain, the English author and literary figure, once wrote about India's city of Benares.
'Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together,' Twain wrote. Religious Relevance
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Kashi has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Origin Of Kashi
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The origins of the city are yet unknown.
The Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the "sins of mortals". Cultural Capital Of India
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Banaras is called the 'Cultural Capital' of India. Famous artists, including Ravi Shankar, the renowned Sitar maestro, and Ustad Bismillah Khan, the famous Shehnai player, are sons of Varanasi or have lived here for a major part of their lives. Famous Ghats Of Banaras
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Kashi is known for its 84 ghats along the holy Ganga River. Some of these ghats are- Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, and Manikarnika Ghat. Hinduism Beliefs
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Hindus believe that people who die in Varanasi would attain salvation and would be free from the cycle of birth and rebirth, the government site stated. Tourism In Varanasi
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Other than the religious relevance of Banaras, the tourists also go to the city arts, crafts, food, and cultural experience of the city. Other Religions' Relevance
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Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, is just 10 km away.
Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.
Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi. Credits
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All Photo Credit: Representational Images/ ANI

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