About Varanasi A visit to this legendary city will be among the most moving trips you'll ever make. Regarding the creation of Kashi, it is mentioned in the Shiv Purana that the Advaita Parameshwara, who was engrossed in his non-duality, had a desire to become another form. He appeared in two forms due to the distinction of man and woman. Prakriti and Purusha were also created by them. Nirguna Supreme God gave a voice to them, ‘both of you should do penance, that would be a perfect creation’. When asked by nature and man that when there is no place for penance, then where should we do penance with your permission. Then Nirguna Shiva created an auspicious and beautiful city with the result of Panchkrosh, the essence of all the energies, located in space, coordinated with all the materials and sent it near to Purusha. This Panchkroshi Shiv Nagari has been called Kashi. Varanasi is very dear to Shiva; it gives him pleasure. So, it is an Anandavan. The word Kashi is derived from Kash (shine). It has been mentioned in Skanda Purana that Kashi became famous because it throws light on the path of Nirvan or because here, god Shiva is Bhasman. Some of the Puranas have given the etymology of Varanasi in such a way that it lies between two streams named Varna and Asi, which respectively make it the northern and southern boundaries. According to other Puranas, this holy place was named Avimukt because Shiva never expressed or left it. For some reason it is also called cremation ground or mahashmashan. It has been the belief of the people that Kashi liberates people from the world. In this way Shiva's bliss Kanan, Kashi and Maha crematorium, now known as Varanasi, the world-famous Kashi for its ancient beauty, adorns the whole world with its light and attracts millions of tourists to its courtyard every day.
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