Kashi is one of the holiest lands, and its name has multiple origins. Derived from the Sanskrit root "Kash," it means to shine, to glow, or to illuminate. Some believe it was named after King Kashi, a descendant of Manu and the seventh generation in the Pururava lineage. Others say it came from a type of grass called "Kashi" that grows along the banks of the holy Ganga, bearing white blossoms.

Kashi is also known as Varanasi or Banaras. Historically, Kashi referred to a vast kingdom, while Varanasi was its capital. Ancient texts describe Varanasi as the land lying between two rivers: Varuna in the north and Assi in the south, both meeting the Ganga.

Its antiquity is awe-inspiring. Visitors through the centuries have shared their impressions. In the 19th century, British missionary Matthew Atmore Sherring called Banaras “a symbol of India’s religiosity and intellect” and one of the most ancient cities in the world. American writer Mark Twain famously remarked that Banaras is “older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend.” British Indologist James Prinsep noted that while a day of Brahma equals 4,320 earthly years, Kashi surpasses the lifetimes of a hundred Brahmas.

Kashi’s origins are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. The Linga Purana says Lord Shiva himself resides here eternally, never leaving this land, earning it the name “Avimukta Kshetra.” The Skanda Purana’s Kashi Khanda contains extensive descriptions of its glory. According to the Linga Purana, when Shiva arrived here with Parvati on Nandi, a beautiful land spread over five kroshas (about 15 km) was created, where all beings lived in harmony. This place came to be called Anandavana (Forest of Bliss).

While cremation grounds are seen as impure elsewhere, in Kashi, death and cremation are regarded as sacred acts of purification. Known as the Mahashmashana, Kashi is said to rest at the tip of Shiva’s trident. Visiting this holy city is considered the result of great merit from past lives. Har Har Mahadev.