Varanasi is the oldest city of India known as the “City of God”, situated near the banks of the Ganges. It is most crowded city because of the narrow winding lanes that are taken by road-side markets and Hindu temples. Banaras is famous for its great culture and a popular destination for travellers and tourists. The main residential areas of the Varanasi are located in the regions far from the Ganges ghats.
Art and literature
Varanasi has old culture of fine art and literature. Great Indian writers such as Kabir Das, Ravidas, Tulsidas Kulluka Bhatt, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Jaishankar Prasad, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Tegh Ali, Kshetresa Chandra Chattopadhyaya, Acharya Shukla, Munshi Premchand, Vagish Shastri, Baldev Upadhyaya, Sudama Pandey, Jagannath Prasad Ratnakar, Devaki Nandan Khatri and Vidya Niwas Mishra have lived in this city.
In Varanasi the art lovers and historians such as Rai Krishnadasa, musician Gopal Mishra, Omkarnath Thakur, Ravi Shankar, Bismillah Khan, Girija Devi, Siddheshwari Devi, Lalmani Misra, N. Rajam, Rajbhan Singh, Anokhelal Mishra, Samta Prasad, Kanthe Maharaj, M. V. Kalvint, Sitara Devi, Gopi Krishna, Kishan Maharaj, Vikash Maharaj, Rajan, Sajan Mishra, Mahadev Mishra, Chhannulal Mishra and numerous others who have kept this city alive to the spiritual aspects of fine arts. People celebrate their numerous festivals in traditional styles of classical and folk culture of Varanasi.
Sushruta was a great surgeon and author of the book Sushruta Samhita has also lived in Varanasi. This city has hospitals for Ayurveda and Panchkarma treatment.
Varanasi also has great museums the Jantar Mantar, the Archaeological museum, the Bharat Kala Bhavan, and the Ramnagar Fort.
Varanasi has the unique art culture all across the world, because of its richest cultural traditions it is called as the cultural capital of India. It has become the center of the Indian culture as it belongs to the amalgamation of archaeology, traditions, natural features, religious places, various religions, sculpture and old history. Ancient arts and cultures are still preserved in the Varanasi city in many museums which denotes the ancient art and culture of the people. It indicates the modern people to not to forget the old culture but follow them. It is also has been proved through many scientific researches that the religious beliefs become true and have great reason behind them. Religious places, museums and monuments say the real history of the Varanasi city, generally known as the Kashi. Varanasi is famous worldwide for its art culture such as the silk and Banarasi Sarees, handicrafts, ornaments, metal work, textiles, clay, woodwork and many more.
Varanasi has the variety of educational institutions that’s why it has become the center of education for all the religions worldwide. People say it the capital of education because of its great contribution towards the education. Indian classical music, drama and other activities are closely associated with the great culture of the Varanasi. It is the birth place of great legends who has provided their immense contribution in developing the city. Ramlila drama has played by people in Varanasi every year to show the reality of the Rama period.
Varanasi culture is intimately associated with the Varanasi traditions since ages. The living culture and religious traditions of the Varanasi are shown by the three foremost religions which are Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Varanasi has become the center of most significant religious pilgrimage destination for it pilgrims and devotees. The old culture and traditions were being destroyed by the Muslims rulers but those were again refurbished by the great king, Akbar. He had played the huge role in maintaining the Varanasi culture and heritage. Varanasi is the source of natural heritages as well because of the presence of sacred River Gange. People in Varanasi have strong belief towards the bathing in the Holy water of the Gange at the great festivals.
Food Culture in Varanasi
People in Varanasi are still like the cultural and traditional food. Some people have breakfast in the morning of the Jalebi and Dahi, Samosa and dahi with green chatani, Kachaudi and a variety of delicious sweets. They eat in the evening, a full plate tasty chaat. In the summer season, people love to drink Lassi with ice pieces. At the occasion of any fairs or festivals, they prepare variety of foods including Papad, Dahi bade, Desserts, Gujhiya, Chips, Pani puri and other dishes. Cultural fast foods are also of great importance. People, while they become fast, take fruits, Dahi, Milk products or one time food.