The religious and cultural heartbeat of India can be found in Varanasi, the most sacred city for Hindus, and the oldest living city in the world, dating back to 2,000 BCE. Also known as Benares, Banaras or Kashi, Varanasi is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism. Devout Hindus believe that if you die here, you will be forever liberated from the endless cycle of death and rebirth (reincarnation). However, if you did not have the luck to die in Varanasi, your ashes can be immersed in the Ganges for salvation.

 Varanasi is the ideal place to begin your travels in India. It’s only here where you’ll begin to understand many other things about the country itself, like its caste system, Hindu beliefs, birth status, customs, and so much more. Here are some of the key things to see and do in this deeply spiritual city.