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Significance of Culture and Religion in the City of Benaras

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 Significance of Culture and Religion in the City of Benaras
Dr. Radhika Kapur
Abstract
The main purpose of this research paper is to understand the significance of culture
and religion in the city of Benaras. Benaras is regarded as a heritage city with the traditional
human settlement. The utilization of land, and the utilization of water bodies, i.e. the river
Ganga, is the representative of the culture, norms, values, spirituality and the interaction of
human beings with the environment. It is directly and noticeably associated with the
organization of events, cultural activities, festivals, values, beliefs and living traditions. The
religious places, norms, values, spirituality, principles, standards, and artistic and literary
works within the city are regarded to be of outstanding universal significance. The main areas
that have been taken into account include, history of Benaras, factors influencing
development of culture and religion, factors contributing in highlighting ingenuity in
Benaras, Ganga and ghats, culture and heritage, education, arts and crafts and important
places in Benaras.

Keywords: Benaras, Creativity, Culture, Development, Ganga, Heritage, Religion

Introduction
The city of Benaras is also known by the names of Varanasi, or Kashi. It is situated on
the banks of the river Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is also called
Kashi, which is termed as luminous in the Rig Veda. It is often acknowledged as the city of
temples and learning. Benaras is the oldest living city in India. The city is known for heritage,
religion, beliefs, values, norms, nature and individualities. The religions of Hinduism,
Jainism, Buddhism and Muslim are well recognized within the city. The city comprises of
religious monuments, which include 4000 temples and 300 mosques. It is well known for
music, arts, crafts, education and learning. The culture in Benaras has a deep relationship
with the river Ganga and the religious significance of the river. The ghats are regarded as
noteworthy and are the bathing places for the pilgrims (Sustainable Development of Heritage
City: Varanasi, n.d.).

In northern India, this city has been a cultural and religious centre for thousands of
years. The culture and religion that the city is known for has generated significant awareness
among individuals from not only throughout the country, but also international countries.
When individuals make a visit to this city, they not only acquire knowledge in terms of
religious values and beliefs, but also arts, crafts, music and other principles and standards.
Prominent poets, authors, philosophers, and musicians that have been referred to in the Indian
history, normally belonged to the city of Benaras. The city was established in the second
century B.C. and since then it underwent progressions and advancements with the first master
plan being prepared in 1950. The development of the city took place in the west, because on
the east the river Ganga acts as a barrier. The core is organic with high density and low rise
development. The outer part of the city has lower density and has many town planning
strategies (Sustainable Development of Heritage City: Varanasi, n.d.).

History of Benaras

Benaras is an ancient city, which has a history since 1000 B.C. Since ancient times,
culture, learning and arts gained prominence and were acknowledged throughout the world.
The name of Varanasi is associated with the two rivers, the Varuna in the north and the Assi
in the south, on the bank of river Ganga. From the combination of the names of the two
streams, the name of Varanasi was formed. The oldest name of Varanasi was Kashi, which
derived from the inhabitants called Kashis, which were the first Aryan settlers about 5000
years ago. In Vayu Purana and the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, similar references
are found. Benaras has attracted many Jain munis called Tirthankars, out of which the
seventh Tirthankar, known Suparsha was born within the city and Parshwanth, the 23th
Tirthankar was also born in the present Bhelupura ward of the city. Jainism developed in
Benaras at the time of Parshwanath, eighth century B.C. ago (History of Varanasi City, n.d.).

In the present existence, the city has railway stations, universities, schools, training
centres and number of individuals are residing and making provision of livelihood
opportunities. The number of inhabitants within the city are rendering a significant
contribution towards religious, social and cultural activities. There was an augmentation of
religious and cultural activities under the arrival of Shankaracharya in the eighth century
A.D. Benaras became famous not only for the scholarship in the fields of religion,
philosophy, medicine, music and art but also for industrial activities. During the Muslim rule,
the city underwent detrimental effects. The number of temples were destroyed and
transformed into mosques, minarates and dargahs. The significance of education and learning
within the city was continued to acknowledgement by philosophers and reformers. These
include, Kabir, Tulsidas, Ramanand, Vallabhacharya, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (History of
Varanasi City, n.d.).
 With the advent of the Marathas and the Sikh power, there was a decline in the
Mughal Empire and there was the emergence of the British rule. The rapid development and
restoration of the temples and other religious places and the formation of the ghats took place
since the emergence of the Maratha rulers. The Vishwanath temple which was damaged by
the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, was rebuilt by Rani Ahilya Bai of Indore in 1977. The
religious places of the Sikhs are known as gurudwaras, these were established by them within
the city. Other areas that were established were the akharas, these are, Assi Ghat, Bhadani,
Durga Kund, Mirghat and so forth. Earlier the city was under the ruler-ship of the king of
Benaras. It was subject to the control of the British residence and was brought under the
direct administration of the East-India company (History of Varanasi City, n.d.).

There were establishment of many educational institutions by the Government and

other organizations. The Benaras Hindu University or the Kashi Hindu Vishwa Vidyalaya
was established by Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya in 1909. This university is known for its
national importance. The transformations were brought about in the landscape of the city with
the provision of water resources and construction of bridges. The Malviya Bridge was
constructed on the river Ganga on Varanasi and Mugalsarya route, connecting Rajghat and
Parav areas. The Varuna bridge was contructed on the Varuna river. The cantonment and
civil line areas were developed by the British under their rule for the purpose of bringing
about growth and development of the state. After India attained independence from the
British rule in 1947, there were many developments and progressions that came about. For
instance, there were establishment of two more universities, these were Kashi Vidyapeeth and
Sanskrit University. Besides, the establishment of these universities, there were institution of
other schools and colleges with the main objective of facilitating education among the
individuals (History of Varanasi City, n.d.).

Due to the ancient nature of the city, and over-population within a limited area, the
city is regarded as congested to a major extent. The lanes are small and in the present
existence, it is regarded as one of the most polluted cities within the country. The rails and
the roads have connected the city to all the major cities of India. The means of transportation
that are utilized to reach the city include, air, rail, water and land. The location of
international airport is about 22 km from the city. It is located at a distance of about 79 km
from Delhi, 696 km from Kolkata, 1530 km from Mumbai, and 301 km from Lucknow.
Benaras has an aerodrome at Babatpur, about 20 km to the north-west on Benaras and
Jaunpur road, from where there are flights to different cities within the country on daily basis.
The climatic conditions in terms of temperature, pressure, wind, rainfall and relative humidity
in Benaras show a seasonal variation throughout the year. The growth of population in
Benaras is primarily dependent upon consumption of resources, housing, and societal
problems (History of Varanasi City, n.d.).

Factors influencing Development of Culture and Religion

In the city of Benaras, the main factors influencing culture and religion have been
stated as follows: (Sustainable Development of Heritage City: Varanasi, n.d.).

City Profile - The city core was established during the second century B.C. and since
then transformations have been brought about with the first major plan that was formulated in
1950. The exterior part of the city has lower density and numerous structures in terms of
town planning. There were changes in residential land use, which in the existing major plan
accounted for 52% of the total land use. This increase was due to persistent demand for
housing facilities. In 1991, urban area was 14,494, which got developed up to 50% i.e.
5665.90. In 2011, the urban area was 17927.22, which got developed up to 50% again, i.e.
9614.22. In the present, the city has nearly about 6790 of undeveloped area. The slum
population within the city accounts for 37.6%, which is one-third of the total population.
Chaukaghat and Sariya comprise the highest population of 8691 and 8000 respectively.
Whereas, Rewari Talab and Kameshwarmahadev comprise the lowest population of 52 and
98 respectively. There has been an increase in the continuous growth rate of slum population
by 1.5 times per decade.
People and Economy – In Benaras, males comprise of the majority of the population
accounting for about 53% of the total population. Whereas, women form 47% and children
10.75% of the population. Majority of the population is between 15 to 59 years of age. The
overall literacy rate is 78%. The average annual per capita income of the city is INR 1, 93,
616, which is higher than the national average of INR 68,747. As of 2001, 84% of the
population comprises of Hindus and 16% of the population are Muslims, with the other
religions accounting for only 0.4%. The tertiary sector comprises of 56% of the economy,
secondary sector 40% and primary sector 4%. The individuals are able to find most of the
employment opportunities in manufacturing industries, and at the next level, they are engaged
in trade and commerce. This includes being employed in the informal sector. The industrial
sector is of main prominence and is a major source for generation of employment and
livelihood opportunities for many. About 32% of the working population are engaged in
formal activities.
Mobility – One can travel to Benaras through air, land and water transportation. The
international airport is located at a distance of about 22 km from the city. On an average, the
individuals that come through flights per day account for about 3000 to 4000. The two
railway stations in the city are Varanasi Cantonment station and Kashi Railway Station. The
individuals that travel through trains account for 15,000 to 17,000 on an average. The city has
two bus terminals at Cantt and Kashi depot at Golgadda. But, Cantt terminal deals with buses
for both the depots. It has a capacity for 440 buses and on an average the individuals that
travel by buses per day to the city account for 12,000 to 13,000. The movement of vehicles
within the city comprises of two-wheelers (34%), autos (20%), cycles (16%), walk (14%),
four-wheelers (6%), cycle rickshaws (6%) and others (4%). Generally, the mobility within
the city is in a deprived state. The main reason is due to lack of adequate traffic management
and lack of control by the authority. Other reasons are, limited road width and crowding on
the city roads.
Infrastructure – The introduction of the water supply system took place in 1892. It
was structured for the population of two lakhs with a treatment plant of 33 mld constructed at
Bhelupur. In the present, the Jal Nigam, which is the supply agency, supplies 170 cpd but the
users receive only 70 to 80 cpd. The distribution system has been formed more than 100
years ago. The major sources of sustenance of the city is river Ganga, which takes care of
about 45% of the water supply of the town. The 50% of the water supplied is met out of 112
deep tube wells operated by the Jal Sansthan and remaining 5% is supplied by publicly and
privately owned 1559 hand-pumps. The length of the distribution network is 590 km. Within
the city, people throw their waste materials on the streets, which are then collected by the
cleaners and the system of door to door collection of wastes is not prevalent. There are four
renowned universities, 292 hospitals, four fire stations including a special fire station,
catering to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The sports facility of the city level having two
stadiums in an area of about 25 acres are instituted in the city.
Heritage and Tourism - The conservation of heritage is accepted by the
Archaeological Survey of India, for about 20 sites. It has also formed a listing of about 300
important monuments in various parts of the city. The tangible heritage includes, 84 ghats,
more than 3500 temples and mosques, Sarnath and Banaras Hindu University. The intangible
heritage includes, natural landscapes, and the cultural heritage of musicians, dancers and
writers. INTACH had also created a list of about 1700 heritage structures in Benaras. In
tourism, Benaras is the second most visited tourist city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Total
number of tourists in 2013 were 52, 51, 413, in which domestic tourists accounted for 95% of
the total. Tourism experienced an annual growth of 6.3% per year and their average stay is
two days and one night, i.e. around 28,000 beds are required per day to provide for
accommodation of the tourists. Within the city, the accommodation facilities for the tourists
are inadequate.
Environment - Benaras is located on the banks of river Ganga. The river flows from
south to north, forming a crescent shape that provides the city a unique feature. The quality of
water and the sustainability of the surface water resource is undergoing risk due to pollution.
The Government of India has formulated measures and policies that water resources and
rivers should be kept clean. One should not dump waste materials into the rivers and cause
water pollution. It has been observed that with the discharge of untreated sewage, solid waste
dumping, encroachment of catchment areas and religious activities, water bodies are getting
polluted. The level of humidity is usually high within the city. It is maximum around 8:30
a.m. and minimum around 7:30 p.m. There is an increase in temperature in the month of
March and it is maximum in May. The environment of the city is usually congested, with
small lanes. The individuals residing within the city and those, who make a visit to the city
take pleasure in visiting religious places, ghats and other heritage sites. The city is known for
artistic forms, arts, music, dance and other cultural and traditional norms and values. These
factors have rendered a significant contribution in enriching the environment of the city.
Governance - The official system within the city involves the contributions of various
stakeholders, urban local bodies, State Government agencies and so forth. These
organizations render their contribution within particular areas, defined by the Government.
Hence, it becomes vital to understand the areas of influence of each organisation, functioning,
operations, the interactions between organizations, the sector wise accountability of the
organizations and their power to acquire adequate understanding of the functioning of the
city. The main task of putting into practice, the operations of the city is vested with the
Nagar-palika. The municipal bodies, i.e. urban local bodies are vested with the functions
given to them by the State Governments under the municipal legislation. These functions are
comprehensively related to public health, welfare, regulatory functions, public safety, public
works, development activities and provision and maintenance of basic infrastructure, civic
amenities and services in cities and towns. The major issues in organizational structure are
that of intersecting of the roles of different organizations and the second is inadequacies
within the system. It is vital to work in collaboration in order to provide solutions to
inadequacies.
Problems – The city is in the present existence is in a developing state. There are
number of problems that individuals are experiencing that are required to get resolved.
Research has indicated that within the city, the individuals are experiencing problems in the
acquisition of employment opportunities. There is lack of infrastructure and facilities, the
individuals are residing in the conditions of poverty and backwardness and experience
scarcity of facilities. The city has been experiencing a decline in handicrafts and economic
activities. In the present existence, with the advent of technology and modern and innovative
techniques and methods, there has been a decline in the traditional manufacturing and
production processes. The tourists visiting the city have been financially exploited and there
are lack of safety and security for them. In religious places and on heritage sites, the
atmosphere is in a disordered state. The places are usually overcrowded and individuals
experience problems in performing their prayers and rituals. The per capita income of the
individuals is low, they are residing in the conditions of poverty and backwardness and
belong to socio-economically backward sections of the society. The rate of literacy is low and
as a result, there is an increase in child labour practices.
Factors contributing in highlighting Ingenuity in Benaras
The factors that highlight ingenuity in the city of Benaras have been stated as follows:
(Singh, 2007).
Importance of Creativeness - There are several examples of master pieces of
architecture with intrinsic meanings, archetypal representations and performances and rituals.
The micro-cosmic temple of Panchakroshi that places 273 deities in three-dimensionality as
replica of the originally existing images and shrines along the five sacred routes in the city is
a unique example. The ‘Mother India temple’, built in 1936, in which the interior is subjected
to a remarkable 90-square-metre map of India, carved in a relief out of marble blocks set into
the floor, is an example of perceiving nation as Goddess as eulogised in the ancient
mythologies. Other distinct and unparalleled examples include, temples of Gurudham,
Kardameshvara, Vrisabhadhvajeshvara, Amethy, Mahamaya, Lolarka water pool, and others.
One of India’s earliest, most picturesque and one of the finest Gothic Revival structures in
perpendicular style, is the building of Sanskrit University, Varanasi. It dates from 1848 to
1852. The Sanskrit University was founded in 1795, later it shifted in the present building.
This is the only institution in the whole world that is based on Sanskrit language and ancient
Indian tradition. It also has the richest collection of ancient manuscripts, possesses in the
Saraswati Vidya Library. Presently, the building and the collections in the library, are
experiencing the problems of loss and destruction.
Revealing Interchange of Human Values in Architecture and Monuments - Benaras is
the only city in India, where textually described cosmo-gonic frame and geomantic outlines
are available in their complete form and totality. These aspects are important in enhancing the
significance of the city universally. The city comprises of various religious groups and their
traditions. There are over 3000 Hindu shrines and temples, about 1400 Muslim shrines and
mosques, 12 churches, three Jain temples, nine Buddhist temples, three Gurudwaras and
several other sacred sites and places. The religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,
Sikhism, Christianity and Islam have contributed in enriching the life-styles and culture of the
city. The deepest spirit of place involving sacred ecology, spatial manifestation and historical
events are in their splendid form. Within the course of time, there have been changes and
transformations within the daily lives of the individuals. With the advent of technology and
innovative methods, individuals are getting more familiar with these strategies, hence, there
has been a decline in traditionalism. Though, human values in architecture and monuments
have rendered a significant contribution in enhancing the lifestyles of the individuals, then it
becomes essential on their part to preserve them.
Cultural Tradition in History - The city has two remnants of the holy past: the first
one, being Sarnath, where Buddha gave His first sermon, “Turning the wheel of law” in 528
B.C. Later during the third century, B.C. king Ashoka built a monastery township, which
continued till the 12th century B.C. and was later damaged. The second one is Rajghat
Plateau, where the archaeological findings and the C14 dating of some of the wares
excavated from the earliest level. The archaeological investigation is sustained on the basis of
scientific analysis of chrono-sequence of non-occluded or occluded phosphate ratios of the
vertical profile of anthrosols in the Rajghat area of Benaras. The results sustain the fact that
residential settlement during this time span was continuous. This site has been the original
centre of one of the oldest uninterruptedly occupied modern cities in the world. The site
evidences refer small farming, to domestication of animals, and these illustrate a sign of
pastoral economy.
Architectural Ensemble and Landscape – The Ganga river has contributed an
important part in promoting the visit of the individuals not only from India, but also other
parts of the globe to the city. People have not only made the temporary visit to the city, but
have developed an interest to settle there down. For instance, when widows do not have
sources to support themselves, they migrate to Benaras to live in ashrams. The major source
of interest and enthusiasm within the mind-sets of the individuals is due to the river Ganga,
temples, religious places, architectural monuments and heritage sites. The existence of 84
ghats along the river Ganga signifies archetypal connotations. Like the number 84 refers to
84 lakhs or the organic species as described in the Hindu mythologies, this development
records successive growth during the last two thousand years. Since sunrise until sunset, the
cultural landscape along the river Ganga is dominated by the ritual scenes and religious
activities.
Traditional Habitat, Culture and Interaction – The individuals belonging to different
castes, religions, races, ethnicities and cultures have come to settle down in the city of
Benaras. The individuals usually implement the norms, values, principles and standards
within their lives, on the basis of their cultural and religious backgrounds. For instance, if
their belief illustrates that they are not supposed to consume anything before bathing and
offering their prayers, then they would implement this norm strictly throughout their lives.
On the other hand, within the community, interaction is common among the individuals,
belonging to different castes, ethnicities, religions and cultures. Interaction and support
among the individuals is essential in order to enhance one’s living standards. For instance,
possession of knowledge regarding other religions, norms and values, not only help the
individuals in bringing changes within their lives, but also inculcate the traits of morality and
ethics within them. In order to achieve one’s desired goals and objectives, it is vital to form
effective communication with each other.
Continuity of Living Traditions within Lives – There are individuals or groups of
individuals, who continue to follow certain norms, values and principles throughout their
lives. For instance, when a woman becomes a widow, then she possesses a belief that she is
required to give up certain things and lead a simple life. She is supposed to dress in white and
not wear any coloured clothing or jewels. There are certain food items that she is supposed to
give up and consume a healthy and a nutritious diet. Widows are meant to spend most of their
time in performing rituals and prayers. A woman may become a widow at any age and
usually they follow traditional practices on the basis of their beliefs. When individuals
develop an interest in art forms, music, dance or writing, then they acquire knowledge with
wholehearted interest and enthusiasm. In the present existence, there has been prevalence of
traditional forms of art within the city.
Significance of Nature and Aesthetics – In the city of Benaras, the significance of
nature and aesthetics is primarily recognized with the presence of river Ganga, ghats,
monuments, temples, mosques, gurudwaras, and other heritage sites. These places have
attracted individuals and even tourists from around the globe, make it a point to visit Benaras,
upon their visit to the country. Some of the individuals possess the viewpoint that bathing in
the river Ganga would help them to repent their sins and wrongdoings. The areas that
illustrate the significance of nature and aesthetics have primarily made provision of
knowledge and information to the individuals regarding their history. On the other hand,
individuals also take pleasure in visiting and observing new sites and feel pleasurable. Before
making a visit to the religious and historical places within the city, it is vital for the
individuals to read about them, so that they do not feel completely unaware. Obtaining textual
knowledge would help one in acquiring better understanding.
Industrial Background – Within the city, there have been establishment of industries,
which have made provision of employment opportunities for the individuals. The individuals
are employed in various industries to earn their livelihoods. These include, spinning and
weaving, metal and manufacturing, printing and publishing, electricity, handicrafts, plastic
goods, iron bars, metal equipment and so forth. In order to acquire employment opportunities,
it is vital for the individuals to possess certain skills and abilities, so that they are able to
render an effective contribution in enhancing productivity. The establishment of Diesel
Locomotive Works (DLW) took place in 1961, generating employment opportunities for
more than 10,000 workers. The small scale industries within the city are usually
incorporating the manufacturing of chemicals, plastic goods, iron bars, and metal equipment.
Besides, these industries, there has also been the establishment of specific industrial area of
bead and carpet manufacturing. These industries are employing technology and modern
strategies to enhance production.
Ganga and Ghats
The significance of river Ganga is recognized in its purity. It also contains medical
features that helped the individuals in cultivation of crops, preparation of medicines and it is
utilized for many other beneficial purposes. Ganga is the sign of purity, where one comes to
wash out all their sins and to attain salvation. The river also represents the nectar of
immortality by flowing energetically. Cremation is carried out on the banks of river Ganga at
Manikarnika ghat and Harischandra ghat to attain moksha and to liberate from the endless
cycle of rebirth. The Ganga ghats in Benaras are 84 in number. In which, Dashashwamedh
ghat, Manikarnika ghat, Harischandra ghat, Assi ghat, Kabir ghat, Lalita ghat, Scindia ghat,
Chet Singh ghat, Jain ghat, Panchganga ghat, Chaowki ghat, Ahilya ghat, Munshi ghat, Gai
ghat, Tulasidas ghat, Manasarovara ghat and Raj ghat are some of the prominent ghats.
History and purposes are associated with each ghat (Baral, Sharma, & Amulya, n.d.).
 Ghats are built in the memory of famous personalities for their contributions to
humankind and in bringing about well-being of the community. One of the imperative
individual is Tulsidas, who composed an outstanding literary work called Ramacharitamanas.
Many ghats are allied with folk tales or mythologies, while many of them are privately
owned. Dashashwamedh Ghat is the one that leads to Vishwanath Temple. Rituals and
prayers like “Ganga Arthi”, “Dev Deepawali”, “Chhath Pooja”, “Ganga Dussehra” and many
more are carried out in Dashashwamedh Ghat. Ganga Arthi is a daily evening ceremonial
homage offered to the Goddess Ganga twice a day by Brahmin priests, at Dashashwamedh
Ghat. Whereas, special arthis are made on every Tuesday. It is a ritual of giving homage to
Lord Shiva, river Ganga, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe (Baral, Sharma, &
Amulya, n.d.).
Dev Deepawali is a festival of full moon day, which occurs after fifteen days of
Diwali festival. On this festival, ghats are decorated with lighted earthen lamps on all the
stone steps along the river Ganga, bursting of fire-crackers takes place, and processions of
decorated deities are taken to the lanes of Benaras. It is the belief of people that on this day,
all the Gods descend to earth to bathe in Ganges. Ghats are built over the steps made of stone
slabs, which is leading along the river Ganga. Tourists and pilgrims make a visit, early in the
mornings, taking a spiritual dip and bath in the river, perform meditation, yoga and witness a
beautiful sunrise. Fishermen carry out fishing and boatmen take the tourists around the river
guiding them towards the stories and history of Ganga and the ghats (Baral, Sharma, &
Amulya, n.d.).
If one spends his entire day at the ghats, one can witness numerous kinds of activities.
One of the most important aspects of an individual’s life is offering prayers and individuals
make a visit to the ghats to offer prayers. Another important aspect is meditation. Individuals
are observed travelling by boats from one ghat to another, while some are engaged in doing
fishing or repairing their boats. Individuals usually take pleasure in walking at the ghats,
listening to music or enjoying a cup of tea. Mythological figures are illustrated on the walls
of the ghats, along with advertisements. One usually feels peace of mind at the ghats. When
one is engaged into some kind of work and observes the view, then one not only feels peace
of mind but also takes pleasure in doing his or her task, for instance, people are able to
concentrate on their reading (Sharma, n.d.).
The river Ganga and the ghats are integral parts of the city. There are a steep sets of
steps that lead to the river. Near the ghats, the palaces are situated of the rulers, such as the
Maharaja of Jaipur. The historic buildings in the present world have been converted into
hospitals, ashrams and guesthouses. At the ghats, offering prayers, meditating, relaxing,
walking, exercising, reading, fishing, repairing, having tea and snacks etc. are common
aspects of one’s daily life. Apart from these, individuals also come to the ghats to carry out
the activities of daily living, such as bathing, washing clothes and so forth. Children within
the city take pleasure in playing outdoor games at the ghats, such as cricket. During the
summer season, they even play water games, such as polo in the holy waters of river Ganga
(Jayapal, 1996).
At the river Ganga every morning, thousands of people come to bathe, offer prayers
and meditate. One of the important aspects is greeting the sun, which is termed as ‘surya
namaskar’. Priests, Brahmins, elderly men, women, youth and even children chant the names
of Gods, while standing in the river Ganga. Individuals do commit sins and some kinds of
crimes in their lives. They possess the viewpoint that committing sins would bring them
misfortune, hence, there is prevalence of the belief that bathing in the river Ganga would help
them in repenting for the sins that they have performed. Research has indicated that elderly
individuals, men and women make a visit to the ghats on a daily basis to offer their prayers
and to bath in the river Ganga to purify their souls and to repent their sins (Jayapal, 1996).
Culture and Heritage

As it has been understood that temples, ghats and river Ganga are integral in enriching
the culture and heritage of the city. The city of Benaras has got a beautiful culture and
atmosphere. In their daily lives, individuals are found visiting religious places, market places
and performing their daily tasks. Individuals take pleasure in listening to loud music and they
are fast bike riders. Children and teenagers of the city enjoy flying kites. The city has narrow
ancient lanes and streets, old buildings, and new transformations like small continental food
shops and stalls of clothes, spices and so forth. Since it is stated that Lord Shiva has resided
in Benaras. One gets to see His vehicle that is sacred bulls and cows all over the city,
wandering, littering and resting (Baral, Sharma, & Amulya, n.d.).
Groups of individuals are observed dancing in colourful clothing during the marriage
processions. During the marriage ceremonies, a group of people leading the procession hold
fancy lights on their heads to brighten up the atmosphere. It’s a celebration ceremony from
the groom side before they go to bride’s home or the wedding hall for the main wedding
ceremony. The marriage ceremony is organized over night with many rituals and it concludes
at the banks of river Ganga after taking blessings from the river Goddess Ganga. Birth of
Indian classical music is traced back to the Vedic period, which is originated from the
atmospheric place, Benaras. This city is one of the peaceful places for the musicians to
introduce beautiful music. Tulsidas, Surdas, Raidas, Meera and Kabir are few of the
musicians, who rendered a significant contribution to devotional music, bhajans and made the
city a prosperous musical centre (Baral, Sharma, & Amulya, n.d.).
At the time of the Bhakti Movement, great saints like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and
Vallabhacharya brought appreciation and reverence towards music in Benaras. Accordingly,
the Indian classical music brought unique and varies forms of styles in musical singing like
Dhrupad, Dhamar, Chaturang, Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, bhairavi, Kajri, Sargam, Kirtan,
Ramayan, Hori, Ragmala, Qauwali, Bhajan, Kathagayan and so forth (Baral, Sharma, &
Amulya, n.d.).
Education
Besides academic knowledge, the individuals develop their interest and enthusiasm in
the learning of religious beliefs, cultural traits, principles, standards, norms, values, and
traditions. These factors are inculcated within the individuals within their families as well as
in the educational institutions, and training centres. Hindu religious values, Sanskrit
literature, arts, languages, science, architecture, agriculture, technology, mathematics,
science, and music are taught at the Banaras Hindu University. The university was founded
by one of the freedom fighters, a great nationalist, a social activist, and an educationist,
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916. He recognized the significance of education. He
possessed the viewpoint that growth and development within the community and country
would take place with the development of the system of education. Great personalities like
Annie Besant, Rabindranath Tagore, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and many others have
supported this initiative in order to bring about growth and development of education.
Banaras Hindu University is also known as “Temple of Learning”. The university has an area
of about 2000 acres. This university has produced great scholars, artists, scientists and great
citizens within the country (Baral, Sharma, & Amulya, n.d.).
In the present existence, the significance of education is recognized among the
individuals and communities in Benaras. The children belonging to deprived, marginalized
and socio-economically backward sections of the society are developing an interest in getting
enrolled in schools and enhance their living. In the narrow lanes of the city, individuals are
owning grocery shops, food stalls or are working as vendors to earn their living. Even these
individuals possess the viewpoint that educating their children would help them to generate
better livelihood opportunities. Within the city, there have been establishment of many
schools and training centres, where individuals, belonging to all age groups are getting
enrolled to improve their education and learning.
Individuals within the city are developing aims of becoming professionals, such as
doctors, lawyers, academicians, engineers and so forth. Apart from academic learning, the
individuals are also acquiring knowledge in terms of religious values and cultural traits. They
are developing an interest in music and dance. The reason being, they possess the viewpoint
that bringing about improvement in skills in terms of creative activities would enable them to
accomplish their career goals and enhance their living conditions. In the present existence,
education has contributed a significant part in not just enhancing the livelihoods of the
individuals, but also in initiating the progression and development of the city.
Arts and Crafts
Benaras is the city, where one is able to find master craftsmen, who are proficient in
the production and manufacturing of handicrafts and artworks. They have worked hard in the
inculcation of the essential skills and abilities, which are required in the production of arts
and crafts. The production and manufacturing of handicrafts and artworks requires materials
and equipment. The individuals engaged are meant to possess the traits of diligence,
resourcefulness and conscientiousness. They need to develop creativity in their works. The
saree handloom weavers, brass utensil makers, goldsmiths, silversmiths, terracotta, metal
work, weavers of carpets and durries, musical instrument makers and wooden toy makers are
the artisans and craftsmen found within the city. The youth within the city are passionate,
energetic and possess liberal viewpoints. Art is significantly recognized within the city. The
lion capital of the Ashoka pillar from Sarnath, the Buddha stupa, toys and terracotta
sculptures are some of the discovered arti-facts at Rajghat, within the city. In history, Benaras
can be represented as a museum of Indian art and culture. Wall paintings can be found
throughout the city (Baral, Sharma, & Amulya, n.d.).
The word, Benaras is associated with the famous Banarasi silk sarees. The work of
weaving of silk sarees was adopted by the Gujarati silk weavers. The city is well-off in cotton
textile industry since ancient times. It is known for typical zari or zardozi embroidery and
brocade weaving. The individuals engaged in handloom saree weaving cottage industry
account for more than 12 lakhs. There has been an increase in the international market for
Banaras silk. Wood and lac turnery is one of the crafts that the city is known for
manufacturing. Other crafts comprise of new designs of toys, bangles and containers (Baral,
Sharma, & Amulya, n.d.).
 Wood carving is distinctive and unique for its remarkable carving of mythological
characters of Ravana, Ram, Krishna, and other Gods and Goddesses. Other carvings include
of animals, and birds. These are manufactured in a well organised manner and look attractive
and pleasing. The use of bright colours add to the superiority of the production processes of
handicrafts and artworks. Repousse is one of the art forms done on the metal sheet. It is a
metal sheet, on which the decorative inscription is done to reveal the design. This craft is also
one of the traditional crafts of Benaras. In most cases, floral works are done on this craft. It is
made on utensils, trays, plates, accessories for Gods and Goddesses, bowls, ornamental doors
for temples, ritual utensils and most of the equipment that is used in temples (Baral, Sharma,
& Amulya, n.d.).
Carpets and durries of Benaras are well-known universally. They are of high quality
and mostly are exported to European countries. Wool and silk yarns are used in knotting them
on cotton warp base in vertical loom. The Persian and Tibetan forms are used in making of
knots. The multiple processes used in the manufacturing of carpets are, spinning, dyeing,
designing and weaving. Most of the carpet weavers are farmers. This craft was introduced at
the time of the Mughals primarily for their prayers. The halls, where meetings were organized
had carpets. Meenakari is a form of art, in which enamels of bright colours are used in
ornamenting the designed metal articles. Many of the jewellery artisans have taken up
Meenakari art, because of its demand and splendour. The metal base is engraved enough for
the bright colour enamels to set in place, later it is kept inside the furnace for fusing and
hardening the meena. Enamel colours are metal oxides mixed with chemicals with colour
contents of powdered glass, where the shades are influenced by the content of oxide (Baral,
Sharma, & Amulya, n.d.).
Important Places in Benaras
The city of Benaras has been regarded as the holy city for more than 30 centuries.
This city arouses the religious emotions of the Hindus. The religion and the culture of the city
represents major and continuous traditions of religious sacredness and learning. The area that
is occupied by the city of Benaras was probably not the original site of the famous Kashi of
ancient records. The old city was situated in Rajghat, a plateau on the northern edge of the
present city. Archaeological excavations of the site have yielded evidence of settlements
going back to circa 1300 BCE. From then on, the place was established on a continuous
basis. As the capital of the Kashis, mentioned in early Indian literature, from the Rig Veda to
the Mahabharata, in Buddhist and Jain sources, it must have contributed a principal role in
the Gangetic plains. The city has been stated in the ancient documents as the paramount city
within the country (Roche, 2016). The significance of culture and religion are specified in the
places which have been stated as follows: (Gupta, n.d.).
The Ghats – The ghats within the city are regarded as most beautiful and attractive. A
total of 84 ghats along the river Ganga symbolize the life and identity of the city. From the
southern Assi ghat to the northern Adi Keshava ghat, close to the Malviya Bridge, the
temples and shrines are situated. Important ones are, Dasashwamedh, Harishchandra,
Manikarnika, Panchganga and Assi Ghat. Dasashwamedh is the most important and is one of
the five holy bathing ghats and was constructed by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. On the festival of
Deepawali, all the ghats are illuminated with earthen lamps and stairs shine with the golden
light as well as the view of Ganga Arti have become the major attraction for not only the
nationals but also the people visiting from foreign countries. Ghats resonate with the endless
cycle of Hindu religious practices from daily rituals to reflective rites of passage.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple – The Kashi Vishwanath temple has specified that Kashi is
sitting atop the trident of Lord Shiva and in Kashi, his abode is Vishwanath temple. The
temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has a Shivalinga situated below the ground level. The
location of the temple is near the ghats. It is crowned by 750 kg gold, donated in the year
1839 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, while the temple was built in 1777 by Maharani
Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. It is also referred to as the golden temple of the city. The
Shivalinga in the temple is amongst the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Annapurna Temple – The Annapurna temple is situated close to the Kashi Vishwanath
temple. In the Annapurna temple, the sanctuary of Goddess Annapurna is widespread among
the devotees. The bronze idol of the Goddess seated on a silver platform is within the temple.
The golden idol of the deity is opened only once in a year for the general public to offer their
prayers.
Sarnath – The Sarnath is regarded as one of the most frequented Buddhist place
within the country. It has a wealth of religious traditions and archaeological remains. This
place is well known, for the Lord Buddha giving His first sermon, after attaining
enlightenment. The number of historians, researchers, writers, educationists, archaeologists,
students and pilgrims from India and abroad make a visit to this place. When individuals
select their field as Buddhist studies, or when they are preparing a report or a project, then
visiting Sarnath would help them in acquiring adequate knowledge. The places of Buddhist
attractions in Sarnath include, Mulgandha Kutti Vihara, Dhemmekh Stupa, Chaukhandi
Stupa, Tibetan, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Buddhist temples and an archaeological museum. In
the archaeological museum, there are a valuable collection of Buddhist arti-facts, including
an Ashoka lion capital, which is an India’s national emblem in polished sandstone. Besides
the Ashoka lion capital, a large composite of monasteries, which are in a dilapidated state,
having Ashoka pillar, can also be seen upon one’s visit to Sarnath.
Benaras Hindu University – The Benaras Hindu University (BHU) is one of the
largest universities in Asia. It has an area of almost 2000 acres, founded by Pandit Madan
Mohan Malviya. The university comprises of three institutes, 14 faculties and 124
departments. The Indian Institute of Technology, Institute of Medical Sciences and Institute
of Agriculture Science contribute towards the enhancement of the university not only in
India, but also in Asia. The faculties are well known for the works of research and writing.
The establishment of BHU has rendered a significant contribution in causing progress and
development of the city.
Vishwanath Temple – The Vishwanath temple was established by the founder of the
Benaras Hindu University, i.e. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. The Birla family contributed
in the implementation process. The main purpose of the building of the temple was the spread
of the Indian culture, norms and values. One of the important areas that was focused upon
was, the discriminatory treatment among individuals on the basis of factors such as, caste,
creed, race, ethnicity, religion and socio-economic background should be eliminated. The
ancient Hinduism should be free from the prejudices of caste, creed, race, religion, gender,
ethnicity and socio-economic background. It is vital to make provision of equal opportunities
for all the individuals.
Bharat Kala Bhawan – The Bharat Kala Bhawan is the museum, which is situated
within the BHU campus. As the name implies, it comprises of artworks and has one of the
best collections of Indian paintings. The Indian sculpture section of the museum is inspiring.
It has served as the centre of attraction for the nationals as well as the internationals.
Bharat Mata Temple – The Bharat Mata temple is primarily dedicated to Mother
India. It has one of the most impeccable maps of India, carved out of marble. The main
significance of this temple is based upon acquisition of knowledge in terms of the
geographical locations, states and cities of the country. The map provides knowledge and
information to the individuals regarding the location and geographical boundaries of the
country. The nationalist, Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Shri Durga Prasad Khatri, a leading
numismatist and antiquarian gifted the temple. It was inaugurated by Mohandas Karamchand
Gandhi, the father of Indian nation.
Gyanvapi Mosque – The Gyanvapi mosque was constructed by the Mughal emperor,
Aurangzeb in the 17th century. The Vishveswara temple was destroyed by him and then he
constructed the mosque. The foundation and the rear of the mosque in the present existence,
expose the rare samples of the ancient temple art of India.
Alamgir Mosque – The Alamgir mosque is known as Beni Madhav Ka Darera.
Initially, it was a Vishnu temple, constructed by a Maratha Chieftain Beni Madhav rao
Scindia in the early 17th century. The temple was destroyed by the Mughal emperor
Aurangzeb and a mosque was constructed. The construction of the mosque took place with
utilization of Hindu and Mughal forms of architecture.
Durga Temple – The Durga temple was built during the 18th century in the Nagara
structure of north India. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Goddess Durga is
the embodiment of power in the Hindu Mythology. The shikhara or spire is formed of many
small shikharas, one on top of the other. On the foundation, they are five and converge into
one, when reaching the top. It has been symbolized that the world of five elements, air, water,
fire, earth and ether, have to ultimately merge with the Supreme, the Brahma.
Tulsi Manas Mandir – The Tulsi Manas Mandir was constructed by a philanthropist
family, belonging to Kolkata. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ram. It is stated that the great
seer Tulsidas lived and composed the Ramcharitmanas here. The entire marble structure is
engraved with quartets and couplets from the Ramcharitmanas.
Sankat Mochan - The Sankat Mochan temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. In the
Hindu Mythology, Lord Hanuman is referred to as the Sankat Mochan. The temple has the
idols of Ram, Sita and Lakshman on one side and Lord Hanuman on the other side. The
organization of religious discourses, music and dance festivals, and other events and
occasions take place on the extensive campus of the temple.
Kalbhairav Temple – The Kalbhairav temple is dedicated to Lord Kalbhairav. The
individuals within the city have formed this viewpoint that Lord Kalbhairav is the protector
of the city. In order to make an entry into the city or leave the city, it is vital to obtain His
permission. Sunday is considered as an auspicious day for worshipping Lord Kalbhairav.
Tridev Mandir – The Tridev Mandir has been constructed not much time ago and it
symbolizes the modern and the contemporary form of Indian architecture. The modern
techniques of the Indian architecture has been utilized in the construction of the temple. The
beautiful idols of the trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, and other Gods
and Goddesses are found in the temple.
Ramnagar Fort – The Ramnagar fort is the symbol of the past. It is situated on the
banks of river Ganga. For more than four centuries, the splendid fort has been the home of
the kings that have ruled over the city. In the present existence too, it retains the indications
of the past magnificence. The durbar hall of the fort, houses the historic exhibits like the
brocade palanquins, and elephant saddles, made of silver. Besides these, there are also
presentation of guns and ammunitions.
Conclusion
The city of Benaras is recognized within the country for its prominent traditions,
cultures, norms, values, principles and standards. Temples, shrines, ashrams, historical
places, monuments, ghats, river Ganga, Benaras Hindu University and the Hindu religion are
the aspects that have rendered a significant contribution in not only enhancing the lives of the
individuals, but also have brought about the progress of the city and country as a whole. The
artistic and ethnicity of the city has not only attracted the nationals, but also tourists. The
individuals take pleasure in visiting religious and historical places, ghats and river Ganga.
The city has an appealing attraction and spiritualism. These can be observed within the
rituals, prayers, traditions and festivities that are performed.
The city has attracted great historians, philosophers, traders, archaeologists and other
individuals since ancient times. In the present existence, the city is not only recognized for
religious beliefs and historical monuments, but there have been establishment of educational
institutions, industries and factories. The individuals are recognising the significance of
education as well as inculcating the traits of diligence and resourcefulness among them. The
individuals are employed in the agricultural sector, farming practices, they are craftsmen,
artisans, weavers, own grocery shops, tea stalls and so forth. The city reveals the multiple
attributes of cultures and traditions. Finally, it can be stated that in the city of Benaras,
besides aesthetics, artistic, cultures and traditions, there is recognition of modern and
innovative techniques and methods that are leading to progression of the city.
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