KAASI (Varanasi) - A SACROSANCT PLACE
Significance of Vaaranaasi (Kaasi) Varanaasi also commonly known as KAASI or Benares is a city situated on the left (west) bank of the river Ganga (Ganges) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi is a holy city in Hinduism, being one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for Hindus of all denominations. It has the holy shrine of Lord Kaasi Viswanath (manifestation of Lord Shiva) and also one of his twelve most revered Jyothirlingas. The name Vaaranaasi has its origin possibly from the names of two rivers Varuna and Assi for it lies with the confluence of Varuna with the Ganges being to its north and that of Assi and the Ganges to its south. Vaaranaasi is the Sanskrit name and Banaras is the common name. Through the ages, Vaaranaasi was variously known as Avimukthaka, Aanandakaanana, Mahaasmasana, Surandhana, Brahma Vardha, Sudarshana, Ramya, and Kaasi. Standing on the western banks of India's holiest river G...