Please tell me about history and importance of Varanasi?

ANSWER TO THE ABOVE QUESTION Varanasi -- The name itself will make all the Hindus yearn to visit the same. It is considered good to visit Varanasi at least once in one's life. it is also known as Kasi or Benares. Altitude : 80 meters Temp Summer : 42 (Max) & 34(Min) Degrees Celsius Winter : 24 (Max) & 7 (Min) Degrees Celsius Best time to visit: October to - December Hotels recommended in Varanasi Hotel Ramada Plaza, JHV Hotel Ideal Tower, The Mall Road, Cantonment Varanasi Hotel Hindustan International, C-21/3 Maldahiya, Varanasi Hotel Pradeep, Jagatganj, Varanasi Varanasi is situate on the banks of river Ganges. River Ganga holds great importance in the economic, social and cultural life of the Indian people in general and Hindus in particular. Here are some interesting facts on the most sacred River of India, Ganga. River Ganga is about 1557 miles long (2506 km). The Ganges basin is about 200 to 400 miles (322 to 644 km) wide. The river Ganga originates at Gangotri glacier on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, some 14, 000 feet above sea level. River Bhagirathi and Alaknanda join each other at Devprayag to form River Ganga. Major pilgrimage places on River Ganga are- Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi and Prayag (Allahabad). The mouth of River Ganga forms a vast delta, the Sundarban delta (the largest delta in the world). There are two major dams on the Ganga. One at Haridwar and the other dam is a part of the hydroelectric project at Farakka. Varanasi is known for its ancient Hindu temples. Bharat Matha Temple Durga Temple New vishwanath Temple sankat Mochan Temple Vishwanath temple Tulsi Manas Temple It is regarded as a holy city by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and probably the oldest in India The Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kashi) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi and an essential part of all religious celebrations The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the River Ganges and the river's religious importance. The city has been a cultural and religious centre in North India for several thousand years. The Benares Gharana form of the Indian classical music developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians resided or reside in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi (Kashi). People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", and "the city of learning." ccording to legend, the city was founded by the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, several thousand years ago,[3] thus making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country. It is also a general belief that it stands on the weapon "The Trishool" of Lord Shiva. It is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. Many Hindu scriptures, including the Rigveda, Skanda Purana, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, mention the city. Varanasi is known for education for so many years. Benares Hindu University, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Imania Arabic College, Central Institute of tibetan Studies are situate here. Varanasi is well connected by rail , air and road. Varanasi is in Uttar Pradesh one of the big states in India. Lal Bahadur shastri International Airport is situate in Varanasi and connects to foreign deestinations. (also known as Bapatpur airport) Eminent personalities like Lal Bahadur Shastri (Ex-Prime minister of India), Bismillah Khan (shenai player), Ravi Shankar (sitar player) belong to this place. Also Kabir Das, Tulsi Das, Ravi Das, Premchand (famous hindi writer) belong to varanasi. Visit Varanasi early, visit its temples and feel the Hindu rhythm living in this holy city.