Which City in India was renamed as Varanasi in 1956?
VerifiedAnswer: Banares
Explanation:
The ancient city of Banares was officially renamed as Varanasi in 1956. This historic city, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh along the banks of the sacred river Ganga, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and holds immense religious and cultural significance in India.
Banares, also known as Banaras or Benares during the British colonial period, has been called by various names throughout history. The city was traditionally known as Kashi, which means "the luminous one" in Sanskrit. This name reflects the city's spiritual importance as a center of learning and enlightenment in ancient India.
The name Varanasi derives from the confluence of two rivers - Varuna and Assi - that flow into the Ganga near this city. After India gained independence in 1947, there was a movement to restore the original Indian names of cities that had been anglicized during British rule. As part of this cultural revival, Banares was officially renamed Varanasi in 1956 to honor its ancient heritage and restore its traditional identity.
Today, Varanasi remains one of India's most important pilgrimage destinations and is famous for its numerous temples, ghats along the Ganga, silk weaving industry, and as the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The city continues to be a vibrant center of Hindu culture, philosophy, and spirituality, attracting millions of devotees and tourists from around the world who come to experience its timeless atmosphere and religious significance.
