Kashi, Varanasi and Banaras

The three names Kashi, Varanasi and Banares are used to mention the same place, situate on the banks of the river Ganga in the state of Uttar Pradesh in our country. A recent visit to this ancient and holy city set me thinking about the the three names and their origin. The history of the city and its fame stretch to over 2,000 years and makes an interesting past and present. Many Indians consider a visit to this place a life's goal and ambition. Having a population of over a million people today, it has been an educational, cultural and commercial centre for several centuries. Home for the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banares Hindu University and the numerous Ghats on the banks of the river Ganga, it is also famous for its Banares Silk Sarees and other commercial attractions. Sarnath, a seat of Buddhist pilgrimage has also now become a part of the city. With Allahabad, now renamed as Prayagraj on the West and Gaya on the East, it is the centre of the Trinity of pilgrimage cities for the Shraddalu people of several generations.

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Kashi Mahajanapada, Kingdom of Kashi as known in the yesteryears, referred to the areas in the region around the present Varanasi City. This Kingdom is said to have reached its peak around 2,600 years ago. At that time kashi was bigger than Varanasi and covered large areas of present East UP and Bihar. The kingdom stretched up to the banks of the Son (Sone) river in present Bihar. Sone is the second biggest tributary of Ganga, second only after Yamuna. Sone river flows 5 Kilo meters  wide near Dehri Town, though not much water can be seen in summer months. Kashi Kingdom in those years covered the present Bihar districts of Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur and Buxar as well. There is a Kashi Railway Station in Varanasi even today, on the banks of the river Ganga. It is located in between Varanasi Junction and Mughalsarai Junction, 6 Kilo meters east of Varanasi Junction and 11 Kilo meter Northwest of Mughalsarai, renamed last year as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.

A scholar from anywhere in India was not considered complete unless he travelled to Kashi and gained the approval of the scholars there. Many learned luminaries from South and Westren India went to Kashi, stayed and learned there for sometime and made their marks on the history of our country. The word "Kashi" is said to have been derived from the word "Shine" due to the city's shining on account of both being a seat of knowledge and lights illuminating it in the nights. The word Kashi is even today associated with Vishwanath, the presiding deity of the city. 

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The name Varanasi is derived from the area between two rivers Varana and Assi. These are the two tributaries of Ganga merging with the big river on the north and south side of Varanasi respectively. Assi river has now become a small stream due to urbanisation and difficult to recognise. However, the point at which the river merges with Ganga is known as Assi Ghat and is an important ghat among the many on the banks of the river. This is the place where Prime Minister Modi launched Clean Ganga project in 2014. 

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The name Banaras (or Benares or Banares) is of much recent origin. Banaras Zamindari Estate is said to have taken the form of Banares Princely State during the time of Raja Balwant Singh of the Narayan Dynasty, in the 18th century. It was recognised by the British India rulers in 1910. After the country became independent, the last Maharaja of Banaras State, Vibhuti Narayan Singh, signed the accession of the state to the Indian Union on 15th October, 1948. The rulers of this dynasty are even today referred as Kashi Naresh and highly revered. They live in a palace known as Ramnagar Fort, on the southern bank of the river Ganga (See the picture). It is said that Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya approached the then Maharaja for grant of lands for establishing Banaras Hindu University, in the early years of the last century. Kashi Naresh is said to have told him to start walking from morning and continue till evening and whatever area he covered would be given to the university. An area of 1,300 acres of land was donated to the university by the Maharaja. The vastness of the university is seen to be believed. There is a beautiful Kashi Vishwanath Temple within the University campus.  

Vibhuti Narayan Singh was a great scholar in Sanskrit and Oriental Literature. He studied at Banaras Hindu university. He later on became the Chancellor of the University as well. Unlike many other Maharajas who entered politics after Independence, V N Singh devoted his life for service in the education and cultural fields. He continued and strengthened the Dasara and RamLila celebrations in Varanasi by inaugurating them every year on a procession (see picture), resembling the Jambu Savari celebrations at Mysore.

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Vibhuti Narayan Singh was a classmate of another great scholar, Bhagirath Prasad Tripathi, more known as Vagish Shastri. Vagish Shastri is known as "Modren Panini" (see picture) and developed a method to learn and remember Sanskrit Grammar in easy ways. His learning methods have helped many scholars from the west learn Sanskrit and carry the knowledge of our ancient literature to their countries. Once he heard the recording of famous Pop singer Madonna, singing Adi Shankaracharya's Yoga-Taravali (Vande Guroonam Charanaravinde....) and expressed his displeasure about her pronunciation. Madonna later approached him and he taught her the proper pronunciation of the verses! The recording of madonna's Yoga Taravali can be heard on YouTube. 

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A visit to Varanasi was indeed an opportunity to recall the many things like these, learnt and heard on different occasions. The stories and history of this wonderful place keep repeating in the mind many times over.....