If you have looked up anything about Varanasi, you may have seen that it holds many names. Before learning anything about Varanasi, I figured that these different names were just what people called the city of Varanasi throughout time or some of the names were because of the British influence (like Mumbai and Bombay).
I even remember looking up information about Varanasi after wanting to study abroad here and finding that this city has many names. I was so confused.
After a few days of classes, especially the Urban Geography class about Varanasi, I’ve learned that Varanasi’s many names have more of a reason to them. While Varanasi is said to have many names, it would take too long to try and explain them all.
Varanasi
Varanasi the combination of two words: Varuna and Assi. These two words are actually rivers. The Varuna River is to the north, while Assi River is to the south. The space in between these rivers is Varanasi. If you look at any map of Varanasi, you can clearly see the Varuna. Today, the Assi River is almost dead due to pollution and trash within the river. The river is actually not called a river anymore, but a drain. I walk by it almost every day- and the smell is not too pleasant.
The area of Varanasi has spread further out past the areas between the two rivers. Whether people believe that those areas are part of actual Varanasi is unsure to me. This is the name I use when I refer to the city in English.
Assi Ghat is the area where I lived when I was a student. Assi Ghat is where the Assi River meets the Ganga (Ganges) river.
Kashi
Kashi is an a name referring to the old city. When I say old I mean OLD as in “regarded as the oldest populated city in the world” old. Kashi can also be referred to the place between the two rivers Varuna and Assi. This can also be the name to refer to the city in regards to the religious city or the ancient city. The actual location of the city’s center is still debated today.
Many Shivite (followers of the Hindu god Shiva) say it is in the Vishwanath Temple where the center point of Shiva’s trident is supposed to be. Others say it is a little bit north of the current city that is closer to the city of Sarnath where they have found ruins in archaeological digs. Both have valid reasons to the people and scholars of the city, but what one believes is specific to them. With the use of very old texts and records found about the city and people’s own beliefs, it’s hard for anyone to say what is right and what is wrong in this city.
Banaras
The name that you will hear most locals say around this city is Banaras. The explanation that was said in class the most is that Banaras is a combination of the two Hindi words “Banna” (बनना) and “rus” (रस). “Banna” is to be made (to become, etc.) and “rus” is juice. So Banaras can literally be translated into “to be made of juice”. But what is this juice? Mango? Apple? No. Banaras can be filled with the “juice of life”. What that means can vary between people.
Now this city is many things to many people. It is where myth and reality come together. This is an important place for pilgrims of many religions, travelers, and recently in time-Badgers and other study abroad students. These names have many meanings and explanations why they are there. I will never claim to say I know very much about this city. The longer I stay here, the more questions I have. I cannot say that these are the absolute truths in why these cities are named like they are. It’s my understanding of them after classes from educated and experienced people and talks with locals who live here