To understand the origin of Kashi is to understand something that exists before time itself. As someone born and raised with the scent of incense and the sound of the Ganga in my ears, I can tell you that we don’t just live in a city here — we live on the edge of the physical and the divine. While historians date Varanasi back to 2000 BCE, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, our stories go back much further — to a time before history was written.
Varanasi, or Kashi, is not just a settlement. It is believed to rest on the tip of Lord Shiva’s Trishul (Trident). Legend says that when the earth was created, Mahadev himself chose this spot as his permanent residence. It is said that Kashi is the only place on earth untouched by the Pralaya the final flood because Shiva lifts the city on his trident to protect it from every cosmic storm. This is not just mythology; it is the spiritual conviction that keeps Kashi vibrating with energy after thousands of years.
The fame of Banaras flows from the presence of Shiva as Kashi Vishwanath, the Lord of the Universe. This is the most significant of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the sites where Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of light. But beyond the gold-plated spires, there is a profound reason why we call this city the “Maha-shmashana”, the Great Cremation Ground.
It is believed that Lord Shiva himself stands at the ears of those who pass away at Manikarnika Ghat, whispering the Taraka Mantra to grant them immediate Moksha liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In Kashi, the cycle of life isn’t a philosophical theory; it is a daily reality visible on the ghats. This is why the Kashi Vishwanath temple is not just a place of worship; it is the centre of the Hindu psychological universe.
The morning ritual at Assi Ghat, known as Subah-e-Banaras, is a celebration of this eternal connection. Long before sunrise, boat rides became a tourist must-do; the dawn in Kashi was always a salutation to the elements. The morning begins at 5:00 AM with Veda Path, the rhythmic chanting of ancient scriptures by young scholars whose voices rise with the river mist.
This is followed by a serene Aarti that pays homage to Surya (the Sun) and Mother Ganga. In 2026, the tradition has grown into a full cultural immersion after the Aarti, the air fills with classical ragas performed live by the river. Watching the sun break over the horizon while a flautist plays on the ghat is not a sightseeing moment. It is a soul-shifting experience that stays with you long after you leave the city.
Despite the new corridor and modern bridges of 2026, the core of Banaras remains exactly as Shiva intended. You will still find the hidden chaat stalls in Ravindrapuri that only locals know, the weavers who spend months on a single silk saree, and the tea-sellers who pour wisdom along with their ginger chai. The old city still holds the secrets of the ages within its six-foot-wide alleys.
When you walk these streets, remember that you are walking on land that has seen civilisations rise and fall while the bells of Vishwanath continued to ring. The temple itself has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times across history yet it stands today as a testament to the Sanatan nature of this faith. That resilience is not just architectural; it lives in the people of Banaras.
Since the opening of the Purvanchal Expressway, the road journey from Delhi has become the preferred choice for family pilgrimages around 800 km through the heart of the Gangetic plain. Because the ancient lanes of the old city are inaccessible to large vehicles, most families travelling as a group find that booking tempo traveller in Delhi is the most practical way to keep everyone together and arrive directly at entry points like Godowlia or Assi Ghat. From there, the city belongs to pedestrians and the spirit of the wind.
Why is Varanasi called Kashi? The name Kashi comes from the Sanskrit root kas, meaning “to shine.” Ancient texts describe this city as the place where divine light the light of Shiva shines brightest on earth. It is the city of illumination, both literal and spiritual.
What makes Kashi Vishwanath the most important Jyotirlinga? Among the twelve Jyotirlingas across India, Kashi Vishwanath is considered paramount because Shiva is believed to permanently reside here not just manifest, but live. It is also the only Jyotirlinga located within a major inhabited city, making it continuously active and worshipped for thousands of years.
Banaras doesn’t just change your travel map it changes something deeper. By moving with the city’s rhythm rather than fighting its chaos, you allow Baba Vishwanath to show you the world through his eyes.
— A Kashi Local, Varanasi
suggested read: Delhi To Varanasi Road Trip
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