Varanasi, also commonly known as Banaras, is a city situated on the banks of the River Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is generally believed to be about 3000 years old making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India.

Varanasi was an industry centre famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture and is regarded as a holy city by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi (Kashi).