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Kashi

Kashi, the ancient Sanskrit designation for the city now known as Varanasi, is a historic urban center in Uttar Pradesh, India, positioned along the western banks of the Ganges River. Regarded as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, it functions as Hinduism's foremost pilgrimage destination, where rituals at its ghats are believed to confer spiritual liberation, or moksha, from the cycle of reincarnation.^[1] The city's defining feature is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which houses one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas manifesting Shiva, drawing millions of devotees annually for worship and festivals such as Maha Shivaratri. Varanasi has long served as an intellectual nexus, fostering advancements in Vedic scholarship, philosophy, and arts, while also marking key events in Buddhism—such as the Buddha's first sermon at nearby Sarnath—and Jainism, with associations to several Tirthankaras.^[2]^[1]^[3] Throughout its millennia-spanning history, Kashi endured invasions and reconstructions, including multiple demolitions and rebuildings of its central temple, yet preserved its role as a resilient bastion of Hindu tradition amid shifting political landscapes. Archaeological layers indicate human settlement traceable to at least the early centuries BCE, underscoring its enduring cultural continuity despite such disruptions.^[1]^[4]

Etymology

Linguistic origins

The term "Kāśī" (काशी) originates from the Sanskrit verbal root kaś- (कश्), denoting "to shine," "to appear," or "to radiate brightness."^[5] This etymological connection underscores connotations of luminosity and illumination, extending symbolically to enlightenment and divine radiance in Vedic and post-Vedic literature.^[6] Early references appear in the Rigveda (c. 1500–1200 BCE), where Kāśī designates a luminous region or eminent locus associated with light and learning, as in hymn 10.179, marking it as the sole urban entity explicitly named in the text.^[7] Subsequent Puranic texts, such as the Skanda Purāṇa, reinforce this by portraying Kāśī as a site of eternal brilliance, deriving from kaśate prakāśate iti kāśīḥ ("that which shines forth").^[8] In phonetic evolution across Indo-Aryan languages, the Sanskrit form Kāśī features the palatal sibilant /ɕ/ (ś), yielding transliterations like "Kashi" or "Kāśī" in English and modern Devanāgari usage.^[9] Prakrit and Middle Indo-Aryan variants occasionally simplify the sibilant to /s/, as in some eastern dialects rendering it closer to "Kasi," though the core form persists without major divergence in core northern Indo-Aryan branches like Hindi and Bengali.^[10]

Cultural connotations

In Hindu cosmology, the term Kashi symbolizes spiritual luminosity and purity, derived from the Sanskrit root kaś meaning "to shine," evoking enlightenment and the transcendence of ignorance central to moksha.^[11] This connotation underscores Kashi's role as a locus of divine illumination, where the soul's inherent light is realized amid the cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution attributed to Shiva in Shaivite traditions.^[12] Central to these implications is the scriptural assertion in the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana that death in Kashi ensures immediate moksha, liberating the soul from samsara without rebirth, as Shiva personally intervenes to sever karmic bonds.^[13] This belief, rooted in Puranic texts, positions Kashi as a causal nexus for salvation, where proximity to sacred geography purportedly accelerates spiritual causation toward final release, distinct from ritual efficacy elsewhere.^[14] Philosophically, Kashi represents a microcosm of the universe in both Shaivite and Vaishnavite frameworks, mapping cosmic processes onto its sacred topography and embodying the interplay of purusha and prakriti in manifesting reality.^[15] Such symbolism reflects an empirical continuity in Vedic and post-Vedic nomenclature, where Kashi denotes enduring sanctity, influencing personal and locational names to invoke purity and cosmic alignment from ancient texts to contemporary usage.^[16]

Religious and historical significance

Kashi as Varanasi

Varanasi, commonly identified as the archetypal Kashi, is a city in southeastern Uttar Pradesh, India, positioned on the western bank of the Ganges River at an elevation of approximately 81 meters above sea level.^[17] This location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain facilitates its role as a major riverine settlement, with the Ganges serving as a central geographical axis for the urban expanse.^[17] The city bears multiple designations, including the administrative name Varanasi and the historical variant Banaras, while Kashi functions as the revered Sanskrit term predominantly invoked in religious and scriptural references to denote its sanctity.^[1] As of 2023 estimates, Varanasi's metropolitan population stands at around 1.75 million residents, reflecting steady urban growth from the 1.2 million recorded in the 2011 census for the core municipal area.^[18] Varanasi's layout revolves around roughly 88 ghats—ritual bathing platforms extending along a 7-kilometer crescent of the Ganges shoreline—and dense networks of narrow lanes, exemplified by Vishwanath Gali, a bustling corridor traversing the old city's core.^[19] These features underpin its dense, pedestrian-oriented historic fabric, where riverfront access shapes daily spatial dynamics. The city draws substantial influxes of visitors, with over 85 million recorded in 2023, largely comprising domestic travelers engaging in routine activities along these riverine and alleyway structures.^[20]

Ancient history and mythology

Archaeological excavations at Rajghat, on the northern outskirts of modern Varanasi, reveal the earliest confirmed urban settlement layers dating to approximately the 8th century BCE, with artifacts including pottery and structures indicating continuous occupation through subsequent periods up to the 18th century CE.^[21] Nearby sites such as Aktha and Ramnagar yield evidence of settlements from around 1800 BCE, suggesting pre-existing habitation in the region that may have contributed to Kashi's development as an early trade and cultural center.^[22] A geophysical study by IIT Kharagpur further supports continuity of human activity in Varanasi from at least 2000 BCE, aligning the site's antiquity with the late phases of the Indus Valley Civilization, though direct cultural linkages remain speculative absent specific artifactual overlaps.^[23] By the 6th-5th centuries BCE, Kashi emerges in historical records as a prominent kingdom and trade hub, referenced in Buddhist texts such as the Jatakas and Buddhavaṃsa, which describe it as a prosperous urban center near the Ganges and the birthplace of the preceding Buddha, Kassapa.) These accounts portray Kashi as a key node in eastern India's Iron Age networks, with its strategic riverine location facilitating commerce in goods like textiles and metals.^[24] In Puranic mythology, Kashi's origins are attributed to divine intervention by Shiva, who is said to have established the city as a primordial abode of liberation (moksha), rescuing it from the demon Gajasura and manifesting as the Jyotirlinga Vishveshvara, as detailed in texts like the Shiva Purana and Kashi Khanda.^[25] These narratives emphasize Kashi's eternal sanctity, positioned on Shiva's trishul (trident) symbolically, with the city's ghats and lingams forming a cosmic axis for ritual cremation and spiritual renewal, though such accounts postdate archaeological evidence and serve theological rather than chronological purposes.^[26] Under Mauryan rule from the 4th century BCE, Kashi integrated into a centralized empire, with Emperor Ashoka (r. 268-232 BCE) promoting Buddhism through edicts and stupas at nearby Sarnath, enhancing the city's role as a pilgrimage and administrative hub.^[27] The Gupta period (c. 320-550 CE) marked a renaissance, evidenced by Brahmi-inscribed seals from Rajghat denoting local governance ("Varanasyadhishthanaadhikaranasya") and sculptural finds in Sarnath reflecting artistic patronage of Hindu and Buddhist icons.^[28] Gupta-era temples unearthed near Varanasi further attest to architectural advancements and religious pluralism.^[29] Medieval cycles of prosperity and disruption followed, with Kashi enduring invasions; in 1194 CE, Qutb-ud-din Aibak razed over a thousand temples during his campaign, as chronicled in contemporary Persian accounts, leading to partial reconstruction amid shifting dynastic controls.^[30] Inscriptions from these eras document resilience through royal endowments, underscoring Kashi's enduring mythological prestige despite material vicissitudes.^[31]

Key religious sites

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vishwanath, serves as the preeminent religious site in Kashi, where pilgrims perform darshan and rituals seeking spiritual liberation, with the sanctum housing a jyotirlinga believed central to Hindu moksha practices. The temple features three gold-plated domes, incorporating one tonne of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1835. In 2022, an additional 23 kilograms of gold were applied to the lower dome portion and door frames by anonymous donors, enhancing its ritual focal point for daily aartis attended by thousands. The structure exemplifies Nagara-style architecture with a towering shikhara, drawing empirical devotion evidenced by over 28.6 million pilgrims in the first five months of 2024 alone.^[32]^[33] Adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath complex, the Annapurna Temple honors Annapurna Devi, the Hindu deity embodying food abundance and nourishment, where devotees offer prayers for sustenance and perform annadanam rituals distributing food to sustain pilgrims' spiritual journeys. Constructed in the 18th century under Maratha patronage, it follows Nagara architectural principles with intricate carvings symbolizing prosperity, serving as a site for daily worship that underscores the empirical interdependence of physical and ritual nourishment in Hindu practice.^[34] Manikarnika Ghat functions as a primary cremation site along the Ganges, integral to Hindu funeral rites granting believed immortality through immersion and pyre ceremonies, with wood-fired cremations facilitating the soul's transition per scriptural traditions. Approximately 40,000 bodies are cremated here annually, comprising the majority of Varanasi's estimated 50,000 total, reflecting its role in end-of-life rituals for seekers of moksha from across India.^[35]

Modern developments and disputes

The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project, inaugurated on December 13, 2021, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expanded the temple's accessible area from approximately 3,000 square feet to 500,000 square feet, incorporating the restoration of 40 temples and the construction of 23 buildings at a cost of around ₹339 crore for Phase 1.^[36]^[37] This infrastructure initiative cleared encroachments on approximately 320 identified structures surrounding the temple, which had progressively limited pilgrim access since the post-independence era under policies prioritizing secular accommodation over historical land claims.^[38]^[39] The project has driven substantial economic growth, attracting over 25 crore visitors since 2021 and injecting ₹1.25 lakh crore into Uttar Pradesh's economy, with each tourist averaging over ₹5,000 in spending.^[40]^[41] Foreign tourist arrivals surged 120-fold, from 2,566 in 2021 to 201,904 in 2023, positioning Varanasi as India's fastest-growing tourism hub ahead of Goa and Shimla.^[42]^[43] Parallel disputes center on the adjacent Gyanvapi Mosque complex, where Hindu petitioners have contested its 17th-century construction atop a prior structure based on historical records and archaeological evidence. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), directed by Varanasi district court orders in 2022 and upheld by the Allahabad High Court in 2023, conducted surveys revealing remnants of a large pre-existing Hindu temple, including sculptures of deities such as Hanuman, Ganesha, and Nandi, along with temple architectural members and inscriptions predating Islamic layers.^[44]^[45]^[46] The ASI report, submitted in sealed cover to the court in December 2023, concluded that the mosque incorporated elements of this earlier temple, privileging stratigraphic evidence of Hindu origins over narratives of organic syncretism.^[47]^[48] Court rulings have advanced Hindu claims, with the Varanasi district court on January 31, 2024, permitting worship in the site's southern cellar—closed for over 30 years—following ASI findings of temple debris therein, a decision rooted in evidentiary prioritization over post-1947 status quo presumptions.^[49]^[50] While the Supreme Court issued notices in November 2024 on broader maintainability under the Places of Worship Act, lower court actions reflect causal historical continuity evidenced by pre-Islamic artifacts, contrasting with earlier administrative inaction that permitted layered encroachments.^[51]^[52] These developments underscore a shift from accommodation of post-partition disputes to empirical restoration, though ongoing appeals highlight tensions between legal precedent and archaeological primacy.^[53]

Other geographical locations

Kashgar, China

Kashgar, known as Kāshí in Mandarin Chinese, is a prefectural-level city located in the southwestern part of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, situated in the Tarim Basin at the confluence of the Kashgar and Yarkand rivers near the foothills of the Pamir Mountains. This arid oasis environment has historically facilitated its role as a vital crossroads for overland trade routes connecting China to Central Asia. The city covers an urban area of approximately 15 square kilometers and had a population of about 711,000 as of 2019 estimates derived from national census data. Archaeological and historical records indicate Kashgar's establishment as a trading post dates to at least the late 2nd century BCE, when Han Dynasty forces under general Li Guangli occupied the region after displacing the Yuezhi nomads, integrating it into early Chinese frontier defenses amid Silk Road expansions initiated around 114 BCE.^[54] For over two millennia, its position as an isolated oasis amid desert and mountains made it a strategic hub for caravans exchanging silk, spices, and precious metals between East and West, enduring conquests by various empires including the Kushans, Tang Chinese, and later Central Asian khanates.^[55] As a cultural center for the Uyghur people—a Turkic ethnic group comprising the majority of its residents—Kashgar developed strong Islamic traditions following the religion's arrival in the region during the 10th to 11th centuries via Kara-Khanid Khanate conversions, supplanting earlier Buddhist influences.^[56] The Id Kah Mosque, constructed in 1442 during the Chagatai Khanate era, exemplifies this heritage as Xinjiang's largest mosque, spanning 16,800 square meters with a capacity for up to 20,000 worshippers in its prayer halls and courtyards, featuring traditional Central Asian architecture like a 12-meter minaret and expansive arcades.^[57] The city's Sunday livestock market, held weekly since historical times, remains a key economic and social institution, drawing thousands of traders to barter goats, sheep, horses, and camels in a space historically accommodating up to 100,000-150,000 participants on peak days, though recent infrastructure changes have scaled operations.^[58] In contemporary times, Kashgar faces tensions from Chinese government policies targeting perceived security threats in Xinjiang, including the establishment of internment facilities labeled as "vocational education and training centers" starting in 2017, which the People's Republic of China maintains are for deradicalization and poverty alleviation.^[59] Independent assessments, including a 2022 United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights report based on official documents, detainee testimonies, and satellite imagery, document patterns of arbitrary mass detentions affecting over one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities across the region, including Kashgar Prefecture, with credible allegations of torture, forced labor, and cultural suppression violating international human rights standards.^[60]^[61] These measures, justified by Beijing as countermeasures to "three evils" of separatism, extremism, and terrorism following incidents like the 2014 Urumqi attacks, have drawn international condemnation while official Chinese data emphasizes economic integration via Belt and Road infrastructure projects enhancing connectivity.^[59]

Minor places and regions

Kashi Onsen, located in Nishigo-mura, Nishishirakawa-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, is a remote hot spring area prized for its seclusion and featuring a single ryokan, Daikokuya, with a distinctive oiwaburo—a large rock-lined outdoor bath measuring 5 meters by 15 meters and 1.2 meters deep, fed by natural spring water.^[62] This site, accessible for day trips but limited in facilities, exemplifies a minor, off-the-beaten-path onsen without broader cultural or historical prominence beyond local thermal tourism.^[62] In Tanzania, Kashashi serves as a rural administrative ward within Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region, encompassing an area of 28.27 square kilometers as delineated in official geographic records.^[63] Documented in the 2022 Population and Housing Census by Tanzania's National Bureau of Statistics, it represents a small-scale local division focused on rural administration rather than notable economic or cultural activity.^[64]

Commercial entities

Kashi food company

Kashi, a brand of whole grain and plant-based foods, was founded in 1984 in La Jolla, California, by Philip and Gayle Tauber, who sought to promote natural health alternatives amid growing interest in preservative-free products.^[65]^[66] The Taubers initially developed a seven-grain pilaf blend in 1983, launching it as the company's first product to appeal to athletes and health-conscious consumers.^[67] By 1987, this evolved into ready-to-eat cereals under the 7 Whole Grains line, emphasizing blends of hard red wheat, brown rice, barley, triticale, oats, rye, buckwheat, and sesame seeds.^[68] The company expanded its portfolio to include cereals, protein bars, chewy granola bars, waffles, and frozen entrees, maintaining a focus on plant-based ingredients and whole grains marketed for sustained energy and nutrition. Kellogg Company acquired Kashi in June 2000 for an undisclosed sum—reportedly around $32 million—integrating it into its portfolio to capture the growing natural foods market, with annual sales reaching approximately $25 million at the time.^[69]^[70] Following Kellogg's 2023 separation of its North American cereal operations, Kashi now falls under WK Kellogg Co., which continues to position the brand as a leader in better-for-you breakfast options.^[71] Kashi products frequently claim high fiber content—such as 10-12 grams per serving in varieties like 7 Whole Grains Nuggets—to support claims of digestive health and blood sugar stability, backed by the satiating effects of whole grain fibers in empirical studies on dietary intake.^[72] However, nutritional analyses of select cereals reveal 8-13 grams of added sugars per serving in flavored options, levels comparable to conventional sugary cereals like Froot Loops, which can elevate glycemic load despite fiber's moderating influence and contradict marketing emphasizing minimal processing.^[73]^[74] Independent reviews note that while whole grain bases yield moderate glycemic responses in general testing—predicting lower postprandial spikes than refined counterparts—added sweeteners and extrusion processing in Kashi items may increase insulinemic effects, as evidenced by broader carbohydrate quality assessments.^[75]^[76] These factors highlight discrepancies between health halo branding and compositional data, particularly post-acquisition expansions into higher-calorie, sweetened formats.

Other businesses and brands

Kashi Japanese operates as a chain of restaurants in the New York metropolitan area, specializing in fusion Japanese cuisine with an emphasis on inventive sushi rolls, hibachi, teriyaki, and sake selections served in neon-lit, lounge-style interiors. Locations include Bellmore, Rockville Centre, Huntington, and Syosset on Long Island, New York, along with Stamford, Connecticut, catering to diners seeking creative interpretations of traditional fare.^[77] ^[78] In the technology sector, Kashi Software Solutions, headquartered in Varanasi, India, delivers custom software development, bulk SMS services, data extraction tools, web design, and digital marketing solutions to businesses aiming to automate operations and enhance online presence. Founded as an IT service provider, the company focuses on scalable software architectures and has established a regional footprint in Uttar Pradesh.^[79] ^[80] Other entities include Kashi Infotech Inc., an ISO 9001:2008-certified offshore software development firm offering innovative IT solutions to global clients through skilled teams in software engineering.^[81] Additionally, Kashi Digital Agency Pvt. Ltd. provides end-to-end website development, SEO, and digital marketing services, positioning itself as a comprehensive digital solutions provider in India.^[82] These operations remain distinct from food-related ventures, emphasizing technical and service-oriented commercial activities.

Notable people

Individuals bearing the name

Ed Kashi (born 1957) is an American photojournalist, filmmaker, speaker, and educator specializing in long-term projects on social, political, and geopolitical conflicts.^[83] His career spans over four decades, with notable assignments including coverage of the Kurdish struggle in Iraq and Turkey, ethnic tensions in the Caucasus, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, resulting in exhibitions and publications such as Three Days in September (2007) on Nigeria's oil politics.^[84] Kashi's images have appeared in National Geographic since the 1990s, alongside contributions to The New York Times Magazine, Time, and Geo; he is a founding member of VII Photo Agency (2001) and has authored or co-authored 14 books, including Abused Addict (2010) on drug epidemics.^[85] Kashi Prasad Jayswal (1881–1937) was an Indian historian, jurist, and independence activist who advanced the study of ancient Indian republics through works like Hindu Polity (1924), arguing for pre-Mauryan democratic institutions based on textual analysis of Vedic and Buddhist sources.^[86] His research challenged colonial-era dismissals of indigenous governance, influencing nationalist historiography, though later critiqued for selective evidence; Jayswal also served as a barrister and founded the Gayan Mandir library in Patna.^[86]

Media and fiction

Film and television appearances

"Kaashi in Search of Ganga" (2018), a Hindi film directed by Dhiraj Kumar and starring Sharman Joshi in the titular role, centers on the protagonist Kashi's quest to find his missing sister Ganga amid the spiritual landscape of Varanasi, also known as Kashi.^[87] The narrative unfolds against the city's ghats and temples, emphasizing themes of familial bonds and redemption in this ancient Hindu pilgrimage site.^[88] Other Bollywood productions have featured Kashi as a key setting to evoke its cultural and religious essence. "Masaan" (2015), directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, portrays intersecting lives grappling with grief and societal norms along the Ganges in Varanasi, earning critical acclaim including two National Film Awards.^[89] Similarly, "Raanjhanaa" (2013), helmed by Anand L. Rai and starring Dhanush, uses the city's vibrant streets and rituals as backdrop for a tale of unrequited love, grossing over ₹100 crore at the box office.^[90] In recent Telugu cinema, "Kalki 2898 AD" (2024), directed by Nag Ashwin and featuring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone, depicts a dystopian city explicitly named Kashi in a post-apocalyptic world, drawing from mythological motifs while achieving worldwide earnings exceeding $100 million.^[91] For characters bearing the name, the Kannada action film "Kashi from Village" (2005), directed by Om Sai Prakash and starring Sudeep, follows a rural protagonist named Kashi navigating urban challenges.^[92] Television documentaries have documented Kashi's rituals and history. The DW Documentary "Varanasi - Facing Death Without Fear" (2024) examines Hindu beliefs in attaining moksha by dying in the city, featuring interviews with locals and pilgrims along the riverbanks.^[93] Discovery Channel's "Kashi Vishwanath Dham" (2021) series details the temple's restoration project, highlighting architectural and devotional aspects of the site dedicated to Lord Shiva.^[94]

Literature, games, and other media

In ancient Hindu scriptures, Kashi is depicted as a primordial city of spiritual significance and indestructibility. The Mahabharata references it as the kingdom of Kashi, ruled by figures like King Divodasa, and portrays it as a center of piety and warfare involving its alliances and conquests.^[3] Similarly, the Ramayana alludes to Kashi in narratives of exile and pilgrimage, emphasizing its role as a hub of devotion to Shiva.^[3] The Skanda Purana's Kashi Khanda, comprising approximately 13,000 shlokas across 100 chapters, dedicates extensive detail to the city's tirthas (sacred sites), legends of Shiva's abode, and promises of moksha (liberation) for devotees dying there, framing Kashi as eternal and immune to cosmic dissolution.^[95]^[96] Modern literature often portrays Kashi (Varanasi) as a microcosm of Indian cultural, social, and existential tensions. Kashinath Singh's Kashi Ka Assi (2004) satirizes the socio-political life around Assi Ghat through the lens of local pandits and residents, highlighting themes of tradition versus modernity.^[97] Vineet Bajpai's Kashi: Secret of the Black Temple (2018), the third in the Harappa series, weaves mythological elements like Shiva's interventions with historical fiction centered on the city's ancient temples and warrior traditions.^[98] Malvika Mishra's Tales From Kashi (2019) collects short fictional stories evoking the city's mystical aura, blending folklore with everyday supernatural encounters.^[99] In games, representations of Kashi are niche and thematic. The board game Kashi (published circa 2020) simulates competition among ganas (Shiva's attendants) to construct temples and restore the deity's presence in the city, drawing on Puranic lore of divine abandonment and reclamation.^[100] Video games feature incidental characters named Kashi, such as in the manga-derived Dagashi Kashi series (adapted into games like mobile titles in 2016), where it ties into Japanese confectionery themes rather than the Indian city, or fan-extended Dragon Ball lore portraying Kashi as Android 17's wife in non-canonical narratives.^[101] Other media include manga like Akatsuki no Yona, where Kashi appears as a historical queen figure in the kingdom's backstory (serialized from 2009), and episodic references in anime or light novels invoking Kashi's spiritual symbolism for redemption arcs.^[102] These depictions prioritize thematic resonance over literal geography, often adapting the name for narrative convenience without deep historical fidelity.

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The first available foreign accounts of Vishwanath temple is by renowned scholar Hiuen Tsiang (beginning of the 7th century). Hiuen Tsiang referred to Varanasi ...Missing: sources | Show results with:sources
[33]
Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Wikipedia
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is widely recognised as one of the most important places of worship in the Hindu religion, because the it holds the jyotirlinga of ...Legend · History · Temple complex · Religious importance
[34]
Kashi Vishwanath Temple dome starts glittering with 23kg gold
Jun 8, 2022 · Gold-plating of the lower portion of the dome and door frames of the 18th century Kashi Vishwanath Temple (KVT) here in UP has been completed with 23kg of gold.Missing: shikhara height
[35]
Cultural Tourism: Where spirituality meets prosperity - Organiser
Sep 24, 2024 · As per reports, more than 2.86 crore pilgrims visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple during the first five months of this year. “Ayodhya has left ...<|separator|>
[36]
Temple of Annapurna – Source of Food, Grace, and Wisdom -
Jun 8, 2025 · The present-day temple was built in the 18th century under the patronage of Maratha Peshwa Bajirao. Constructed in the traditional Nagara ...<|separator|>
[37]
[PDF] Final Report on Water Quality Management Plan for Ganga River ...
A little over 50,000 corpses are cremated annually in Varanasi of which about 40,000 are cremated at Manikarnika, and the rest at Harishchandra Ghat in the ...Missing: statistics | Show results with:statistics
[38]
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project | Kashi Official Web Portal
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor ; Rs. 355 Cr. Project Cost ; 40. Temples Restored ; 3000 to 5 Lakh Sq ft. Expanded Area ; December 13 2021. Inauguration ...
[39]
What is Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Project? - BYJU'S
The estimated cost of Phase 1 of the project is valued at Rs. 339 crores. It is spread across an area of 5 lakh sq. feet and comprises 23 buildings. This ...Missing: expansion acres
[40]
From 2700 sq ft to 5lakh sq ft: Kashi Vishwanath Dham braved spate ...
Dec 12, 2021 · In the initial survey for the project, 166 buildings were identified but after two plan revisions, 320 buildings were earmarked, and then ...
[41]
Varanasi's corridor of change seamlessly merges past with future
Apr 10, 2023 · Under the project, the area around the temple has been expanded from 3,000 to 5 lakh square feet. Around 40 temples have been restored to their ...
[42]
Kashi Vishwanath corridor contributes Rs 1.25 lakh crore economic ...
Oct 8, 2025 · According to statistics, each tourist visiting Kashi Vishwanath spends over Rs 5,000 on average. However, with a minimum estimated GDP growth ...Missing: impact revenue
[43]
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Contributes Rs 1.25 Lakh Cr To UP ...
Oct 8, 2025 · The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor has boosted Uttar Pradesh's economy by ₹1.25 lakh crore since 2021, attracting over 25.28 crore visitors. ...Missing: revenue | Show results with:revenue
[44]
Kashi emerges as global tourism hotspot, foreign visitors up 120 ...
Oct 6, 2025 · According to official data, only 2,566 foreign tourists visited Kashi in 2021. By 2022, the number had risen to 83,741. In 2023, it reached 2, ...
[45]
UP: Varanasi Surpasses Goa and Shimla to become India's fastest ...
Oct 7, 2025 · Overall, foreign tourist arrivals in Uttar Pradesh jumped from 16 lakh in 2023 to over 22 lakh in 2024, with Varanasi contributing a major share ...
[46]
ASI Survey Report on Gyanvapi Mosque - Drishti IAS
Jan 30, 2024 · The survey uncovered fragments of what appear to be statues of Hindu Deities, including those of Hanuman, Ganesha, and Nandi, within the mosque ...Missing: remnants | Show results with:remnants
[47]
Hindu temple existed at the site of Gyanvapi mosque: ASI survey ...
Jan 26, 2024 · The survey report also said that sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found buried in a cellar, reported Bar and ...Missing: findings remnants
[48]
ASI survey claims Hindu temple existed on site of Gyanvapi mosque
Jan 25, 2024 · The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) survey report on the Gyanvapi complex here suggests that the mosque was built on remains of a pre-existing temple.Missing: findings remnants
[49]
Major findings by ASI Survey at Gyanvapi Mosque complex confirm ...
Jan 27, 2024 · Major findings by ASI Survey at Gyanvapi Mosque complex confirm a pre-existing Hindu temple. On the details of ASI scientific survey: Large ...Missing: remnants | Show results with:remnants
[50]
ASI's Survey Report Says a Large Hindu Temple Existed Under the ...
Jan 25, 2024 · ASI's Survey Report Says a Large Hindu Temple Existed Under the Gyanvapi Mosque ... remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions ...Missing: remnants | Show results with:remnants
[51]
Hindus can worship in contested mosque, Indian court rules | India
Feb 1, 2024 · An Indian court has ruled that Hindus can worship inside a contested mosque, a verdict that it is feared will increase religious tensions.
[52]
Gyanvapi Masjid Dispute: Ruling in favor of Hindus | hindi.foej.in
Gyanvapi Masjid Dispute: Ruling in favor of Hindus · The current ruling. The present decision Hindu prayers are allowed in the basement, and the district ...
[53]
Supreme Court issues notice to Muslim side in Gyanvapi case ...
Nov 22, 2024 · The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Muslim side on the petition demanding an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the alleged Shivling.
[54]
SC to decide on maintainability of Gyanvapi case under 1991 act
Nov 22, 2024 · The Gyanvapi mosque dispute stems from claims by Hindu devotees that the mosque was built atop a pre-existing Hindu temple. The issue escalated ...
[55]
Supreme Court's 2023 order in Gyanvapi case gives fillip to survey ...
Nov 28, 2024 · On August 4, 2023, the top court refused to stay the Allahabad High Court order allowing a scientific survey by the ASI at the mosque complex to ...Missing: favoring | Show results with:favoring
[56]
Kashgar | China, Map, History, & Silk Road - Britannica
Kashgar, oasis city, western Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, far western China. Kashgar lies at the western end of the Tarim Basin.
[57]
Kashghar | Silk Roads Programme - UNESCO
Located at the foot of the Pamirs Mountains between a vast desert and immense mountain range, Kashgar was once an isolated oasis on the long trade route across ...Missing: 200 BCE
[58]
KASHGAR - Facts and Details
Idkah (Aidkah, Id Kah) Mosque was the largest mosque in China and is still the biggest in Xinjiang. Established in 1442, this yellow tile structure dominates ...
[59]
Kashgar Id Kah Mosque - the Largest Mosque in Xinjiang & China
Id Kah Mosque covers an area of 16,800 square meters, has a south-north-length of 140 meters and east-west-width of 120 meters. The entire building complex is ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[60]
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/2022-08-31/22-08-31-final-assesment.pdf
[61]
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-xinjiang-uyghurs-muslims-repression-genocide-human-rights
[62]
[PDF] OHCHR Assessment of human rights concerns in the Xinjiang ...
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. 31 August 2022. Page 2. 2. Contents. Page. I. Introduction .
[63]
China's Repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang
More than a million Muslims have been arbitrarily detained in China's Xinjiang region. The reeducation camps are just one part of the government's crackdown ...
[64]
Kashi Onsen - Destinations - Fukushima Travel
There are well-known onsen in Tohoku, but Kashi Onsen, is treasured as one of this region's smallest, most off-the-beaten-track hot springs.
[65]
Kashashi (Rural Ward, Tanzania) - City Population
Oct 31, 2023 · Kashashi (Rural Ward, Tanzania) with population statistics, charts, map and location.
[66]
https://www.preparedfoods.com/articles/113365-kashi-co-founders-kraft-exec-share-stories-insights
[67]
About Us - Kashi
Kashi was founded in La Jolla, California in 1984 by Gayle and Philip Tauber, pioneers in the natural health food movement.
[68]
Kashi co-founders, Kraft Exec Share Stories, Insights - Prepared Foods
Oct 29, 2013 · The Taubers are better known as the 1983 co-founders of Kashi, the La Jolla, Calif., company that created a whole grain cereal pilaf for athletes and other ...
[69]
6 Wholesome Facts About Kashi - Mental Floss
Mar 8, 2019 · Kashi was founded by Philip and Gayle Tauber. In the early 1980s, Philip and Gayle Tauber were living in Southern California. They had ...Missing: Jolla | Show results with:Jolla<|separator|>
[70]
The History of Kashi Cereal
Nov 7, 2023 · Kashi launched its first product in October 1983. It was a breakfast blend of seven whole grains and sesame seeds called Kashi Pilaf.
[71]
USA: Kellogg Company Acquires Kashi Company - Just Food
Jun 30, 2000 · Founded in 1984 by Philip and Gayle Tauber, Kashi Company grew by more than 100 percent in the fiscal year just ended and is expected to ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[72]
KASHI CO. IS PURCHASED BY KELLOGG - Supermarket News
Cereal giant Kellogg here has bought the alternative cereal and convenience-food maker Kashi Co., La Jolla, Calif., for an undisclosed sum.
[73]
Kashi® - WK Kellogg Co®
Kashi was founded in La Jolla, California in 1984 by Gayle and Philip Tauber, pioneers in the natural health food movement. What's in a name? The Taubers were ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[74]
Acute Effects of Dietary Fiber in Starchy Foods on Glycemic and ...
May 19, 2023 · Dietary fiber (DF) consumption has been associated with improved glycemic control in epidemiological and long-term interventional studies.Missing: Kashi sugars
[75]
Kashi "Natural" Cereals Examined - Fooducate
Aug 16, 2010 · At 190 calories per serving, this is high calorie count for cereal. It's got 13 grams of sugar, 3 teaspoons worth, just like Froot Loops. That's ...
[76]
The Reality Behind Kashi - Health Digest
Mar 9, 2023 · A blog post from the New York Times points out that Kashi has more sugar than Cheerios, but its high fiber content helps offset the effects of ...
[77]
Prediction of postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in lean, young ...
GL was a more powerful predictor of postprandial glycemia and insulinemia than was the available carbohydrate content, explaining 85% and 59% of the observed ...Subjects And Methods · Study Design · Results
[78]
Perspective: The Glycemic Index Falls Short as a Carbohydrate ...
This perspective examines the utility of the glycemic index (GI) as a carbohydrate quality indicator to improve Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) ...Missing: Kashi independent
[79]
https://www.kashisoftwaresolutions.com/
[80]
KASHI - Updated October 2025 - 232 Photos & 187 Reviews - Yelp
Rating 3.9 (187) · $$KASHI - Try Our New Menu - 2736 Merrick Rd, Bellmore, NY 11710, 232 Photos, (516) 590-7776, Mon - 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm, Tue - 11:30 am ...<|separator|>
[81]
Kashi Software Solutions – We Make the Web Look Good
We are a digital agency specializing in marketing, website development, and software solutions. We create impactful brands, build dynamic websites, and develop ...
[82]
About Us - Kashi Software Solutions
Kashi Software Solutions, based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is a trusted IT service provider specializing in Bulk SMS, Data Extractor Software, Digital ...
[83]
Kashi Infotech INC - LinkedIn
An ISO 9001:2008 certified offshore software development company with a strong team of highly skilled IT experts, catering its global clientele with innovative ...
[84]
Kashi Digital Agency Pvt. Ltd. Profile & Reviews - Techreviewer
Kashi Digital Agency Pvt. Ltd. is a Software Development, Digital Marketing Company that offers end to end solutions with regards to website development ...
[85]
about - ED KASHI
Ed Kashi is a renowned photojournalist, filmmaker, speaker and educator who has been making images and telling stories for 40 years. His restless creativity ...
[86]
Ed Kashi - The VII Foundation
Ed Kashi (b. 1957, USA) is a photojournalist and filmmaker dedicated to documenting the social and geopolitical issues that define our times.
[87]
Ed Kashi - Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Ed Kashi is a prolific photojournalist, filmmaker, speaker and educator. A member of VII Photo Agency, Kashi has produced 14 books, and his work has been ...
[88]
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/in-kashi-to-play-kashi-sharman-says-loving-it-to-bits/story-jaQG4cj0objYzTaKnejIJM.html
[89]
Kaashi in Search of Ganga (2018) - IMDb
Rating 5.3/10 (439) The movie is about two siblings, Kashi (Sharman Joshi) and his sister Ganga. The film is set in the Indian city of Benaras, also known as Kashi.
[90]
In Kashi, to play Kashi, Sharman says loving it to bits
Sep 29, 2017 · 'Kashi in search of Ganga' the 3-Idiots' fame actor is playing the character named Kashi who is in search of his sister Ganga.
[91]
Top 10 Bollywood Movies Shot In Varanasi
Mar 19, 2021 · Top 10 Bollywood Movies Shot in Varanasi · Masaan · Mukti Bhawan · Mohalla Assi · Ranjhaana · The Last Color · Banaras · Laaga Chunari Mein Daag · Isaaq.
[92]
7 Movies That Show Varanasi Through The Eyes Of Bollywood Like ...
Seven Bollywood movies set in Varanasi include Issaq, Bhaiaji Superhit, Setters, Raanjhanaa, Kaashi, Mulk, and Dream Girl.
[93]
List of Kalki 2898 AD Character Names & Actors Playing Them
Jun 26, 2024 · As the trailer has confirmed, the film is based in a dystopian city named Kashi. Another city, Complex, has all the planet's resources, which ...
[94]
Kashi (HD) -Latest Bollywood Movie || Sharman Joshi Full Action Film
Nov 20, 2023 · Subscribe: http://bit.ly/DRJRecordsAction Kashi (HD) -Latest Bollywood Movie || Sharman Joshi Full Action Film | Aishwarya Devan Full ...
[95]
Varanasi - Facing death without fear | DW Documentary - YouTube
Aug 22, 2024 · In India, Varanasi is considered a holy city. Millions of Hindus believe that people who die here, in this city on the Ganges, are lucky.
[96]
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple | Full Episode | English - YouTube
Dec 20, 2021 · [Partnership] It is believed that Lord Shiva manifested as a column of light in the ancient city of Kashi. Watch how the project of ...
[97]
About Kashi Khand - Varanasi Temples
Skanda Purana is said to contain more than 82000 slokas and Kashi Khand contains more than 13000 slokas. Kashi Khand is supposed to be the narration about Kashi ...
[98]
Kāśī-khaṇḍa [Book 4] - Skanda Purana
Aug 22, 2020 · The Kāśīkhaṇḍa (Kāśī-Khaṇḍa) has 2 sections and a total of 100 chapters. It details the Varanasi and Vindya Tirtha region.
[99]
Books based on Kashi (Varanasi) - Mahatarpan
Feb 16, 2024 · To know Varanasi it is essential to read books based on Kashi such as Kashi Khand, Kashi ka Assi, Banaras: City of Light.
[100]
Secret of the Black Temple (Harappa) [Paperback] Vineet Bajpai
Kashi - Secret of the Black Temple is part 3 of the Harappa Series, written by Vineet Bajpai. It is a fiction novel that blends mythology and history with a ...
[101]
Tales From Kashi - Kindle edition by Mishra, Malvika ... - Amazon.com
30-day returnsThis collection of three fictional tales from the city of Kashi is an ode to this magnificent place which is not just old but also magical.
[102]
Kashi | Board Game - BoardGameGeek
In Kashi, each player uses members of various ganas to build temples to lure lord Shiva back to the city. The game plays out on a small game board ...
[103]
Kashi (Android 17's wife) | Dragon Ball Updates Wiki - Fandom
Kashi (菓子 Ka-shi), also known as Android 7 ('Jinzōningen Nana "Artifical human No.7)' for a period of time, is the unseen wife of Android 17 and was one of ...
[104]
Kashi - Akatsuki No Yona Wiki - Fandom
Kashi (カシ, Kashi ? ) is the deceased wife of Emperor Il and the mother of Princess Yona. She was the previous Queen of Kouka Kingdom.