The holy city of Varanasi Mar 1, 2024

The holy city of Varanasi

Known for its sacred ghats and bustling alleys, Varanasi is a city on the banks of the Ganges in the northern part of India. Located about 120 kilometres downstream from Prayagraj, at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, it is a major pilgrimage site for Hindu spirituality and tradition. The mighty Ganges is said to have originated in Lord Shiva"s hair and grown into the revered river that flows through Varanasi today. Along with Sarnath, the city has stood as a venerable centre of education and civilisation for over three millennia. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya founded the largest university in Asia, the Banaras Hindu University in this city, and the Theosophical Society, led by Annie Besant, also operated in Varanasi. Rightly referred to as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi continues to be a thriving platform for the flourishing of various artistic endeavours, including music, dance and philosophy.

© Jesse Rockwell/Shutterstock

palette

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 16, 2025Pinnacles National Park, California, United States
Dec 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Jul 20, 2024International Moon Day
Purple bliss as far as the eye can see
Sep 9, 2024Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil
Dragon tails trail to the sea
Mar 15, 2024Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, USA
Mar 5, 2026Evening over Göreme, Cappadocia, Türkiye
Keyholes to the kingdom
Sharks, just living their lives
Jan 18, 2026White Sands National Park, New Mexico, United States
The festival of breaking the fast
Oct 21, 2024Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
Stairway to where?
Mar 17, 2025Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin, Ireland
Nov 16, 2025A traboule in Lyon, France
Oct 5, 2025Jahangir Mahal, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Jun 21, 2025International Day of Yoga
Celebrating the Scottish bard
Jul 9, 2024Talampaya National Park, Argentina
Apr 17, 2025Andean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador
Feb 20, 2024Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
Jan 29, 2025Chinese New Year
Jan 9, 2024Gayathri Reservoir, Karnataka, India
Hide-and-go-seek world champion
Sep 19, 2024Obereversand Lighthouse, Dorum, Germany
Nov 24, 2023Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Sep 4, 2023Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
The rivers run through us
Dec 25, 2024Merry Christmas!