Benares

Benares is the former name of Varanasi, the most sacred city of the Hindus, and an important town in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. The city is still referred to as Benares by common people. This traditional name is also used as a modifier such as Benares ware, Benaresi Saari, Benareri clothes, Benarasi paan (betel) etc.

The city is situated on the Ganges. It presents an amazing array of over 1700 temples and mosques with towers and domes and minarets innumerable. The bank of the river is laid with continuous flights of steps whence the pilgrims bathe; but the city itself is narrow, crocked, crowded, and dirty. Many thousand pilgrims visit it annually. It is a seat of Hindu learning; there is also a government college. The river is spanned here by a magnificent railway bridge. There is a large trade in country produce, industrial goods, jewellery, and gems; while its brass-work, "Benares ware," and 'Benares Saaris' are famous.