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As the sacred river Ganga flows the snow-clad Himalayas into the vast plains, half way between Delhi and Calcutta it curves into a gentle crescent and along the crescent lies Varanasi. According to legend, it said to be the first city to be created on the Earth ! Varanasi is the city which enshrines the very essence of Hinduism. 
Also known as Kashi and Banaras, this is the oldest living city in the world. Home to some of the most ancient and revered monasteries in the world, this is the place where scholars still come to to learn the ancient knowledge of the Vedas and debate on the nature of God. This is also the city where many Hindus come to die ! Hindus believe that by being cremated at Mani-Karnika Ghat at Varanasi, they will immediately attain liberation from the continuous cycle of birth and death. 

Varanasi Ghat - Pilgrims flock the Ghats to have a ritual bath and perform puja to the rising sun, following centuries old tradition. The Dasashvamedh Ghat offers a splendid view of the river front. This is the ghat of the 10 (Das) horses (shiva) sacrificed (medh).