Destination India: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Dasashwamedh ghat
Originally uploaded by elishams.

Varanasi or Benares, is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. This holy city, situated on the banks of Ganga (Ganges River) in the state of Uttar Pradesh, has a population of more than 1.2 million people.

Varanasi, also known as Kashi has been a cultural and religious center in northern India for thousands of years. The city has produced prominent literary figures and world renowned musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Bismillah Khan.

About Me

India has always fascinated me for different reasons. The vastness of its culture, the diversity of people’s opinions and the limitations of its vision. Despite our diversity, we need to have a collective vision. India is not a country of four metropolis or a couple of high-tech cities. This nation of a billion people has 29 states and 6 union territories. We have 35 state and territorial capitals. How much do we know about each of these important cities?

Professionally I am a graphic designer from Bombay, India. In 1987, I co-authored a book on Corporate India, but my desire to throw a wider net and pick up much more information remains intact. I want my people from every city and every state to write and photograph details and information that would be interesting to the viewers around the world. We have so much to talk about and so much to share - this medium and this technology can help fulfill our collective dreams.