Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world and has three different names: Kashi, Varanasi, and Benaras.

Here is the origin of each name:

Kashi: This name comes from the Sanskrit word काशि (kashi), which means “shining”. Kashi is a sacred city for Hindus, as it has many temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration.


Varanasi: This name is derived from the names of two rivers that flow near the city: Varuna and Assi. Varanasi is located between these two rivers, which are considered holy by Hindus.


Benaras: This name is a result of the British pronunciation of Varanasi, which became Benarasi for the locals, and then Benaras for the British. Benaras is also a common name for the city in Hindi and Urdu languages.