Shivala ghat on river Ganga, Varanasi, Benares, Uttar Pradesh, India

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Varanasi, also known as Benares, Banaras or Kashi, is an Indian city on the banks of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (200 mi) south-east of the state capital, Lucknow. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism, Ravidassia religion and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Some Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India. It is often referred to as "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of shiva", and "the city of learning". Scholarly books have been written in the city, including the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas. The current temples and religious institutions in the city are dated to the 18th century. One of the largest residential universities of Asia, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), is located here.

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Photo credit: © Shashank Mehendale / Alamy / Afripics
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