When one thinks of spirituality, devotion, and ancient culture, the names Banaras and Kashi immediately come to mind. It is a place where religion is a part of everyday life and where rituals and ceremonies are a big part of the way people live. The spiritual energy that flows through the streets of Banaras is strong and stays with everyone who goes there. But are Banaras and Kashi really the same place, or do they mean different cities? Let’s find out the connection between Banaras and Kashi.
Kashi or Banaras?
Even though both names Kashi and Banaras have different meanings, they are both names for the same holy city. People often use both of these names interchangeably to refer to the same city, which millions of Hindus around the world come to explore. Kashi was the ancient name of this city which is often mentioned in several books. The name Kashi was changed to Varanasi because it is between the Varuna River in the north and the Assi River in the south. In Pali, the name Varanasi was written as Baranasi, which led to the name Banaras. Banaras is a name that both locals and tourists use a lot. It gives the city a more clear and straightforward name.