Varanasi

American  

[vuh-rah-nuh-see] / vəˈrɑ nə si /

noun

1. a city in southeastern Uttar Pradesh, in northeastern India, on the Ganges River: Hindu holy city.

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Varanasi British  

/ vəˈrɑːnəsɪ /

noun

1. Former names: Benares.   Banaras.  a city in NE India, in SE Uttar Pradesh on the River Ganges: probably dates from the 13th century _bc ; an early centre of Aryan philosophy and religion; a major place of pilgrimage for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists, with many ghats along the Ganges; seat of the Banaras Hindu University (1916), India's leading university, and the Sanskrit University (1957). Pop: 1 100 748 (2001)

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Example Sentences

During a videotaped interview with an Indian news agency at the Ganges River in Varanasi, Mr. Singh praised the powerful prime minister, Narendra Modi, for celebrating “our rich cultural heritage.”

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2024

Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest cities and it’s often called India’s spiritual capital.

From BBC • May 29, 2024

The constituency of Varanasi, with around 1.7 million voters, will go to the polls on June 1.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2024

Their top targets include a mosque supposedly built over the birthplace of Krishna, the Hindu god of compassion, and a second in Varanasi, said to be the sacred abode of Shiva, Hindu god of destruction.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2024

“Will you and I go to Varanasi too?”

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan