Oldest city in the world. Review on Varanasi

Varanasi is the oldest city in the world. It is a holy city, the city of Lord Shiva, situated on the bank of the sacred river, the Ganga. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims come here to bathe in the waters of the Ganga. According to the Hindu belief, a dip in the Ganga washes away all sins. Similarly it is believed that it is an auspicious place to die, since expiring here ensures release from the cycle of rebirths and is an instant passport to Heaven. The rituals of life and death take place in the several Ghats on the bank of the Ganga. The Dasaswamedh Ghat is a famous one.

Varanasi has been a centre of learning and civilization for over 2000 years. Mark Twain is of the opinion that ' Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.

The Benares Hindu University established by Pandit Madan Mohan Malavya in 1917 is a centre of education and research. In 1950, attracted by the University, I came down to BHU for taking admission in M.Sc.(Physics) with Wireless as a special subject. I was not given admission by Dr. Dasanacharya, the Physics Head, because I had a second class Honours, whereas another friend of mine was taken although he did not have Honours. Strange logic. It was a blessing in disguise, because later on I joined the Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics, Calcutta University, for my M.Sc.

Varanasi is also famous for the Rajghat Besant School, sponsored by the Krishnamurti Foundation India. The School is on a beautiful spot. The river Varuna flows by round the School. Our three children, Kalpana, Kasturi and Aseem ( no more ! ) were students here. The annual Krishnamurti lectures were a great attraction for Krishnamurti admirers.

Very close to the School, on the opposite side of the Kashi Railway Station is the Rajghat Sarvodaya Complex, where my sister-in-law and her husband Narayan Desai were living. We used to stay with them here for weeks and months.

Gandhian Institute of Studies, started by Jayaprakash Narayan, is also in Rajghat. After JP's chairmanship, my father-in-law, the late Nabakrushna Choudhuri, became the Chairman of the Institute. Sugata Dasgupta was the Director of the Institute.

Varanasi through its Kashi Vidyapeeth has produced many seasoned politicians and one Prime Minister of India. Lal Bahadur Shastri was a product of the Kashi Vidyapeeth.

If you have to get your pen repaired come to Varanasi. Whether it is Pelican, Mont Blanc, Parker or Sheaffers, there is a person to repair these expensive pens. He takes every such repair as a challenge. My Pelican , which had a major problem, was repaired by him to my entire satisfaction.

The Kashi Viswanath Temple and a nearby Masjid have been coexisting since long. The Viswanath Gali is a narrow market, where you get everything. To stitch a good Sherwani come here. the Muslim tailors can give you an excellent fit, and you can be an envy of the Park Avenue models.

This is Varanasi, the magic city, the mystic city and the spiritual city. You have to be here for long to experience it.