varanasi

noun

1. a city in SE Uttar Pradesh, in NE India, on the Ganges River: Hindu holy city.

noun

1. a city in NE India, in SE Uttar Pradesh on the River Ganges: probably dates from the 13th century bc; an early centre of Aryan philosophy and religion; a major place of pilgrimage for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists, with many ghats along the Ganges; seat of the Banaras Hindu University (1916), India’s leading university, and the Sanskrit University (1957). Pop: 1 100 748 (2001)Former names: Benares, Banaras