Varanasi
State: Uttar Pradesh
Population: 14,35,113 (2011)
Tangible Heritage: Kashi Vishwanath temple, Assi Ghat, Ramnagar Fort, Buddhist Stupas
Intangible Heritage: Classical Music, Ayurveda, Banarasi Silk, Ivory sculptures, glass bangles
Significance: Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities of the world. Varanasi has been a center of learning, enlightenment, culture, civilization and religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. The city was the birth-place of the famous Benares Gharana of Indian classical music and was a home to many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers and musicians. Tulsidas wrote his Ramacharitamanas here, while Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath. Ayurveda is also said to have originated here.