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Temple at Ramnagar, Benares
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The Temple of Ramnagar in Varanasi (formerly Benares), in the north of India, was built by Chait Singh.
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[Original caption] Temple of Ramnagar. Commenced to be built by the famous Chait Singh who, in 1781, forced Hastings to retreat from Benares to the fort of Ramnagar. The treatment of Chait Singh by Hastings was one of the charges made against Hastings during his famous trial. [end]
The holy city of Varanasi on the west bank of the Ganges is often referred to as the ìcity of temples and learning," as there is a temple at nearly every road crossing, as well as the biggest university in Asia. It has been a cultural and religious center in northern India for thousands of years.
According to myth, the city was founded by the Hindu god Shiva, making it a one of the seven sacred Hindu cities, and the "ultimate pilgrimage center" for thousands of Hindus who visit annually to bathe from the river-stairways known as "ghats," in the holy river Ganga. It is thought to be the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, dating back 5,000 years or more.
Since as early as 500 BC, it was a flourishing trade center -- famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture ñ when Buddha came to nearby Sarnath to preach his first sermon. The great American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
Varanasi became an independent kingdom in the 18th century, and under subsequent British rule it remained a commercial and religious centre. In 1910, the British made Varanasi a new Indian state, with Ramnagar as headquarters, but with no jurisdiction over the city of Varanasi. It is also said that Ayurveda was originated at Varanasi.
Mark Twain was quoted about Benares; many great Indian writers have lived there from Kabir and Tulsidas, to Bharatendu Harishchandra, Jayshankar Prasad, and Hazari Prasad Dwivedi; some were even named after the city, e.g. Kashi Nath Singh. |
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© imagesofasia 2007-08 |
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