What Makes Varanasi Unique?

The Uniqueness of Varanasi: A City with Three Universally Shared Names

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, occupies a unique place in the cultural and spiritual fabric of India. It is not only renowned for its antiquity and sacred significance but also for its rare characteristic of having three widely recognized and actively used names: Kashi, Banaras, and Varanasi. What distinguishes this city from others across the globe is that all three names are used interchangeably by people from all communities, regardless of religion, caste, or background. This linguistic and cultural universality makes Varanasi a living symbol of unity and continuity in diversity.

1. Kashi: The Ancient Name of Illumination

The name Kashi is considered the oldest among the three and is deeply embedded in the spiritual lore of India. Derived from the Sanskrit root “Kash” meaning “to shine,” Kashi is often referred to as the City of Light. It is a name frequently found in ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, further cements the city’s identity as Kashi in spiritual narratives.

Yet, what is remarkable is that the use of the name Kashi is not confined to the Hindu community. People from various religious and cultural backgrounds, including Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs, also use the term Kashi in both formal and informal references. The reverence for the city’s antiquity and spiritual aura transcends religious lines. Whether in poetry, conversations, or regional literature, Kashi continues to be invoked by diverse communities as a term of endearment, respect, and cultural pride.

2. Banaras: The Cultural and Emotional Identity

Banaras, a name popularized during the medieval period and continuing into the modern era, has become a cultural touchstone for all Indians. Known for its music, arts, ghats, street food, and crafts like the Banarasi saree, the name Banaras evokes a rich tapestry of experiences. It is the name that appears most frequently in literature, films, folklore, and daily speech.

What makes Banaras exceptional is its emotional resonance across communities. Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and others living in or connected to the city refer to it as Banaras with equal affection. It is not uncommon to hear a Muslim artisan refer to himself as a Banarasi or for a Christian family to describe their heritage as rooted in Banaras. The shared use of this name has given it a powerful, inclusive identity that blends the sacred with the secular, the ancient with the contemporary.

Institutions like Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have also helped make the name iconic and internationally recognized. The university has drawn scholars and students of all faiths, contributing to the name Banaras being embedded in global academic and cultural discourse.

3. Varanasi: The Official and Global Identity

Varanasi is the modern administrative name of the city and is used in official documents, government communications, and global discourse. The name is believed to be derived from the rivers Varuna and Asi, which demarcate the northern and southern boundaries of the city.

Varanasi represents the city in formal, bureaucratic, and international contexts, including maps, legal records, travel documentation, and media coverage. It is the name tourists see at airports and railway stations, and the name used by the Indian government and foreign dignitaries.

Unlike in many other cities, where the official name is often alien to local people, Varanasi is fully accepted and used by all communities alongside Kashi and Banaras. It is not merely an imposed label but a living, breathing part of the city’s multi-named identity.

4. A Shared Linguistic Legacy

The simultaneous and universal use of Kashi, Banaras, and Varanasi by people from all communities is what sets this city apart from others. In many cities around the world with multiple names, those names are typically tied to specific religious or ethnic groups. For instance, Jerusalem is called Al-Quds by Muslims and Yerushalayim by Jews, and each name is rarely used outside its respective community.

In contrast, in Varanasi, it is common to see a Hindu, Muslim, or Christian refer to the city as Kashi, Banaras, or Varanasi, depending on context, sentiment, or habit. These names do not divide communities; rather, they unite them in a shared cultural, spiritual, and historical identity. No name is exclusive; all are inclusive.

Even in local conversations, one might hear a Hindu priest speak of going to Kashi for a ritual, a Muslim weaver refer to the handloom culture of Banaras, and a student from any background filling out an address as Varanasi. This linguistic fluidity across social and religious lines is a rare and valuable cultural phenomenon.

5. Varanasi’s Global Uniqueness

Few cities in the world can claim a similar universality in nomenclature. While cities like Istanbul (also known historically as Constantinople and Byzantium) and Beijing (formerly Peking, and earlier Yanjing) have multiple names, these are largely used in segmented or historical contexts, and not interchangeably by all residents or communities in the present day.

Even Jerusalem, sacred to three Abrahamic religions, sees different communities using different names with little overlap. By contrast, Varanasi’s tri-named identity is shared across all residents and visitors, reflecting a deep interweaving of spiritual, cultural, and administrative consciousness.

Conclusion: A City of Many Names and One Soul

Varanasi is more than just a geographical location. It is a living testament to India’s ability to embrace multiple identities without conflict. Its three names—Kashi, Banaras, and Varanasi—represent spirituality, culture, and governance respectively, and each is used and cherished by people of all religions and backgrounds. This makes Varanasi not just unique in India, but arguably unique in the world.

In an era where names often become flashpoints of identity and division, Varanasi stands as a beacon of shared heritage. Its many names are not a sign of confusion, but of coexistence, not of fragmentation, but of harmony. It is a city where language itself becomes a bridge, connecting past and present, faith and culture, community and individuality. In every utterance of Kashi, Banaras, or Varanasi, the soul of a timeless city echoes through history and into the future.