The City of Temples or the Land of Spirituality - call it what you may. The intriguing city of Varanasi with its sanctity, stimulated Mark Twain a prominent figure from the field of English Literature to write 'Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together'.
Varanasi gets its name from the two rivers, Varuna and Asi, a small stream near Assi Ghat. It is also popularly known as Kashi or Benaras. It is believed to be one of the seven holy cities or Sapt Puri - that can bring you Moksha. This makes it the pulse of the Hindu Universe.
Owing to its multifaceted character Varanasi unveils something different each time for each person.
A devotee comes in the quest of - peace of mind, pilgrims remain unfettered in this little land full of temples, students come to experience diverse cultures, while some families come for a vacation, some come together for a cremation, writers come hunting for the hidden stories, and historians unfold the many layered pasts of this place and locals live here for the livelihood.
Each person glimpses Varanasi through their own coloured glasses, and each of them is offered a different shade from the city's palette. This small city has a wide acceptance for people from all walks of life, all parts of the world and creatures big and small.