 Varanasi has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years , and is closely associated with the Ganges . Hindus believe that death in the city will bring salvation , making it a major centre for pilgrimage . The city is known worldwide for its many ghats , embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions . Of particular note are the Dashashwamedh Ghat , the Panchganga Ghat , the Manikarnika Ghat and the Harishchandra Ghat , the last two being where Hindus cremate their dead . The Ramnagar Fort , near the eastern bank of the Ganges , was built in the 18th century in the Mughal style of architecture with carved balconies , open courtyards , and scenic pavilions . Among the estimated 23 @,@ 000 temples in Varanasi are Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Shiva , the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple , and the Durga Temple . The Kashi Naresh ( Maharaja of Kashi ) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi , and an essential part of all religious celebrations . An educational and musical centre , many prominent Indian philosophers , poets , writers , and musicians live or have lived in the city , and it was the place where the Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music was developed . One of Asia 's largest residential universities is Banaras Hindu University ( BHU ) . The Hindi @-@ language nationalist newspaper , Aj , was first published in 1920 . 
 Varanasi <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>has</mark></a> been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years , and is closely associated with the Ganges . Hindus believe that death in the city will bring salvation , making it a major centre for pilgrimage . The city is known worldwide for its many ghats , embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions . Of particular note are the Dashashwamedh Ghat , the Panchganga Ghat , the Manikarnika Ghat and the Harishchandra Ghat , the last two being where Hindus cremate their dead . The Ramnagar Fort , near the eastern bank of the Ganges , was built in the 18th century in the Mughal style of architecture with carved balconies , open courtyards , and scenic pavilions . Among the estimated 23 @,@ 000 temples in Varanasi <a href='drop_aux' title='2'><mark>are</mark></a>Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Shiva , the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple , and the Durga Temple . The Kashi Naresh ( Maharaja of Kashi ) <a href='drop_aux' title='3'><mark>is</mark></a>the chief cultural patron of Varanasi , and an essential part of all religious celebrations . An educational and musical centre , many prominent Indian philosophers , poets , writers , and musicians live or <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>have</mark></a> lived in the city , and it was the place where the Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music was developed . One of Asia <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>largest residential universities <a href='drop_aux' title='6'><mark>is</mark></a>Banaras Hindu University ( BHU ) . The Hindi @-@ language nationalist newspaper , Aj , was first published in 1920 . 
Varanasi have been a cultural centre of North India fir several thousand years , and is closely associated with the Ganges . Hindus believe dat death in the city gon bring salvation , making it a major centre for pilgrimage . The city is known worldwide fa its many ghats , embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions . Of particular note are the Dashashwamedh Ghat , the Panchganga Ghat , the Manikarnika Ghat and the Harishchandra Ghat , the last two being where Hindus cremate their dead . The Ramnagar Fort , near da eastern bank of the Ganges , was built in tda18th century in thdaughal style of architecture with carved balconies , open courtyards , and scenic pavilions . Among thedatimated 23 @,@ 000 temples in Varanasi Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Shiva , the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple , and the daga Temple . The Kdai Naresh ( Maharaja of Kashi ) the chda cultural patron of Varanasi , and an essential part of all religious celebrations . An educational and musical centre , many prominent Indian philosophers , poets , writers , and musicians live or done lived in the city , and it was the place where the Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music was developed . One of Asia  largest residential universities Banaras Hindu University ( BHU ) . The inida-@ language nationalist newspaper , Aj , was first published in 1920 .