The Many Names of Varanasi: Kashi, Banaras, and Varanasi

A common question:  Are Kashi, Banaras and Varanasi the same?

This puzzled me when I told work colleagues I was going to visit Varanasi. The excitedly offered me their top tips on Banarasi sweets and shared details of their own Kashi pilgrimage.

So, in short, yes!  The city has been called Kashi, Banaras, and Varanasi at different times in its long history.

However, each name reflects a different aspect of the city’s identity, shaped by its religious, cultural, and historical context.  Therefore, where the name is being used in a current context there is probably an underlying meaning being conveyed.

Let’s explore the origins and meanings of these names and understand why and when they were used.

Kashi: The Luminous City

Origins and Meaning:

• The name Kashi is derived from the Sanskrit word “Kasi” which means “to shine” or “light”.  Kashi is believed to be the city of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and transformation, who is also associated with light and knowledge. The city is said to be the spiritual heart of Hinduism, a place where the divine light of knowledge dispels the darkness of ignorance.

When Was It Known as Kashi?

• Kashi is the city’s oldest known name and has been in use since ancient times, long before recorded history. The city was widely referred to as Kashi during the Vedic period (around the 15^th to 5^th century BC) and is a common reference in ancient Indian literature and religious texts.

Banaras: The Cultural Hub

Origins and Meaning:

• The name Banaras (or Benares) is believed to be an evolution of the name “Kashi” as translated through the Prakrit language, which was widely spoken in the region during the early medieval period and has since evolved into different current Indian languages. Over time, the pronunciation and spelling changed, and Kashi became known as Banaras.

When Was It Known as Banaras?

• There is evidence that Banaras was becoming the more commonly used name for the city from around the 11th century BC.  This was particularly true during the Mughal period (16th to 18th centuries) where there would have been reason to play down the historical, religious past.  During this period the city was also becoming an important center of trade and culture. The name Banaras continued to be used well into the British colonial period.

Why the Name Banaras?

• Banaras reflects the city’s evolution into a vibrant cultural hub, renowned for its art, music, literature, and religious practices. It was during this period that Banaras became synonymous with classical Indian culture, particularly in areas like music, dance, and education. The name Banaras captured the city’s status as a center of learning and culture, while also retaining its spiritual essence.

Varanasi: The Modern Identity

Origins and Meaning:

• The name Varanasi comes from the two rivers that border the city—the Varuna River to the north and the Assi River to the south. The city is thought to have been originally named Varanasi after these two rivers, which meet at the Ganges River in this region.
• It is not a new name.  Varanasi is also mentioned in ancient texts such as the Puranas, however it was particularly in the British colonial period that this became the prominent reference for the city.
• During this colonal era the British put emphasis on standarising names for administrative and legal clarity.  There were attempts to use historically significant names and the historic reference, together with geographical convinence of Varanasi was preferred to Banaras, or Benares which had a range of spellings and pronounciations.

When Was It Known as Varanasi?

• The name Varanasi has been in use for centuries but became the official name of the city during the British colonial period. In 1956, after India gained independence, the government formally adopted Varanasi as the city’s official name.

Conclusion: The Many Faces of a Sacred City

The city is officially Varanasi (which is how we refer to it throughout An Expat In India).  However, each of the names offers a different perspective on the city’s identity:

• Kashi speaks to the city’s ancient spiritual significance, a place of divine light and knowledge.  It is reflected in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Kashi Yatra, the pilgrimage to Varanasi.
• Banaras reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage and its role as a centre of classical Indian traditions.  It lives on in the likes of the Banaras Hindu University and Banarasi Sarees.
• Varanasi, the modern name, ties the city to its geographical roots and serves as a bridge between its past and present.