Varanasi: The City Older than Time – Myths, Legends, and Its Place in History
- City Varanasi
- September 18, 2025
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Varanasi: The City Older than Time – Myths, Legends, and Its Place in History
When you walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi, past the sound of temple bells, the fragrance of incense, and the eternal chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” you don’t just enter a city—you step into a living legend.
Varanasi, or Kashi, is not merely a dot on the map of India. It is believed to be the world’s oldest living city, a place where time folds upon itself. Historians, travelers, saints, and seekers—all have found something here that words can barely capture.
The Myth of Creation
According to Hindu mythology, Varanasi was not built by kings or dynasties, but by Lord Shiva himself. It is said that when the world was in chaos, Shiva chose this sacred land as his eternal abode. Some legends even say that time itself begins from Kashi—making it older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend.
The Legends that Flow with the Ganga
The Ganges river, flowing gracefully through the heart of the city, is not seen as just a river but as a goddess. Myths tell us that when Ganga descended from heaven, her fierce force could have destroyed Earth. To protect the world, Lord Shiva caught her in his matted hair and gently released her—right here in Kashi.
Every dawn, when the first rays of the sun hit the river, and every evening, when thousands gather for the Ganga Aarti, this legend feels alive.
History Written in Every Stone
Greek traveler Megasthenes mentioned the existence of this city as early as the 3rd century BCE. Buddha walked these lands, delivering his first sermon in nearby Sarnath. Adi Shankaracharya, Kabir, Tulsidas, and countless saints found their spiritual voice here.
Mark Twain, after visiting, famously wrote:
"Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
Indeed, in its temples, ghats, and crumbling yet eternal walls, history whispers from every corner.
The Eternal City of Life and Death
Unlike anywhere else in the world, Varanasi celebrates both life and death. The Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat burn funeral pyres 24x7, with the belief that dying here frees the soul from the endless cycle of rebirth. Death in Varanasi is not seen with fear—it is embraced as the ultimate liberation.
Varanasi Today
And yet, amidst this deep spiritual aura, the city thrives with modern life. The chaos of auto rickshaws, the aroma of street food, the charm of Banarasi silk, and the laughter of students from BHU—all merge seamlessly with the timelessness of the city.
Why Varanasi is Truly Timeless
Varanasi is not just a destination—it is an experience. Myths, legends, faith, and history converge here, making it a city that exists not only on the Earth but also in the imagination of those who hear its name.
It is a reminder that some places are not meant to be explained. They are meant to be felt.
✨ In Varanasi, time doesn’t move forward—it circles back, again and again.
