Varanasi

[ vuh-rah-nuh-see ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

Varanasi

/ vəˈrɑːnəsɪ /

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) Former namesBenaresBanaras

Journalist and novelist Geoff Dyer's latest work on Venice and Varanasi has won him acclaim.

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi is a novel of two distinct parts.

As I write, Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi has sold out here at the festival, with more copies being sent from Delhi.

I'm not going to Varanasi again on this trip and I'm quite relieved.

How many Venice Biennales have you been to, and which inspired the events in the first half of Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi?

Ere long he returned with Tapas, the sun god having declared that Varanasi would be a worthy husband for his daughter.

The princes eat off silver and gold, and are clothed in silk of Varanasi.

Then a great Rishi brought Varanasi back to his capital with his Celestial bride.

From Varanasi (the travellers) went back east to Pataliputtra.

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