The holy city of Varanasi Mar 1, 2024

Known for its sacred ghats and bustling alleys, Varanasi is a city on the banks of the Ganges in the northern part of India. Located about 120 kilometres downstream from Prayagraj, at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, it is a major pilgrimage site for Hindu spirituality and tradition. The mighty Ganges is said to have originated in Lord Shiva"s hair and grown into the revered river that flows through Varanasi today. Along with Sarnath, the city has stood as a venerable centre of education and civilisation for over three millennia. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya founded the largest university in Asia, the Banaras Hindu University in this city, and the Theosophical Society, led by Annie Besant, also operated in Varanasi. Rightly referred to as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi continues to be a thriving platform for the flourishing of various artistic endeavours, including music, dance and philosophy.

© Jesse Rockwell/Shutterstock

palette

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 10, 2024Collared aracari
Feb 13, 2026Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connecting Laos and Thailand
Frosty Finland
Mar 7, 2025Plum blossoms, China
A light in the coastal darkness
Teddy bears of the sea
Apr 1, 2024Palazzo Farnese, Rome, Italy
May 13, 2025Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile
Oct 8, 2023World Octopus Day
Hiding in the woods
A vibrant, sun-drenched island
Mar 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Jan 8, 2026Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brightons West Pier, England
Meet an expert on the dog days of summer
Jul 13, 2025International Rock Day
Jun 30, 2025Asteroid Day
Jan 15, 2026The fishing village of Reine, Norway
Dec 3, 2023Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Mar 22, 2024World Water Day
Sequoias of the sea
Apr 14, 2024Bowling Ball Beach, California, USA
Jul 4, 2024Dam, lake and mountains in Kerala
A rainbow that’s worth the rainfall
Dec 4, 2024Navy Day
When life imitates art
Dec 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
Dec 7, 2025A pine forest in Alsace, France
A very public display of affection
Aug 10, 2025World Lion Day
The other continent down under