Varanasi

"Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, And looks twice as old as all of them put together " - Mark Twain Varanasi is the oldest city of the world. Varanasi is more than 3000 years old and is famous as the city of temples. Varanasi, the holy city of India, is also known by the name of Kashi and Benaras. Kashi, the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries, is known for its fine-quality silks, 'paan' and Benares Hindu University and Avimukta of the ancient days, Varanasi is the most popular pilgrimage point for the Hindus.In Hinduism it is believed that those who die and are cremated here get an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and re-births. The Ganga Ghats (river front) are the most popular pilgrimage spot of Varanasi and are centers of music and learning. There is a great tradition of Yatras in the holy city of Kashi and the most sacred path is that of Panchkoshi Parikrama, the fifty-mile path with a radius of five miles that cover 108 shrines along the way, with Panchakoshi Temple as its main shrine.