Now called Varanasi, Benares is an ancient, revered place on the banks of the Ganges. Millions of pilgrims visit Benares every year to have a dip in the Ganges alive or dead. The town itself is a maze of small, crowded streets and alleys with over 2000 temples and shrines, vibrating activity and noise of pilgrims visiting Lord Shiva..
It is believed those who are cremated here will go straight to heaven; thus the queue for cremation on the banks of the Dashashwamedh ghat is never ending.

The Vishwanath temple is the most visited shrine. In the 17th century Aurangzeb pulled down a temple and built the big mosque that carries his name. Despite years of British and Muslim occupation, Varanasi retains its strong tradition of Hindu rituals and rites, yogis and priests, the pantheon of Gods – Ganesh, Durga, Brahma, etc.
which serve as a kaleidescope of Indian life.

Varanasi is famous for its brocades and silks, saris, bangles and handicrafts.