Explained: Why Varanasi Was Named The First Cultural And Tourism Capital Of The SCO

¡°Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together,¡± wrote Mark Twain, the English author.

Varanasi (or Benaras or Kashi) is known to be one of the oldest living cities in the world. The city was declared the first Cultural and Tourism Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2022-23.

As per the reports, the organisation plans to start a rotating mechanism, in which they will rotate the title of Cultural and Tourism Capital among different states.

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The title will help in promoting the cultural values of the city and add to values- economic, social, and more.

What is the history of Varanasi?

The origin of the city has multiple theories. Varanasi has been a centre of learning and civilization for about 3,000 years. Varanasi is home to knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion, and arts and crafts for ages.

Also known as Benaras or Kashi, Varanasi has been a significant pilgrimage place for Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism as well. Further, Vaishnavism and Shaivism have harmoniously co-existed in Benaras. Kashi¡¯s culture is surrounded by the river Ganga.

It is widely believed by Hindus that death on the land of Kashi leads to the attainment of salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth.

Sarnath is in the same city where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Kashi is also believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the 23rd Jain Tirthankar.

According to varanasi.nic.in, Ayurveda originated in the land and is said to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the founder of Yoga, was also affiliated with the city.

What is the culture and heritage of Varanasi?

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Varanasi has a rich and original variety of paintings, sculptor styles and folk art. The city has produced master craftsmen and earned a reputation for its sarees, handicrafts, textiles, toys, ornaments, metalwork, clay and woodwork, and leaf and fibre crafts. Also popular for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

Varanasi has its own 'Gharanas' (style of music) in classical Indian music and has produced some of the most well-known musicians, philosophers, poets, and writers in Indian history such as Kabir, Munshi Premchand, Jaishankar Prasad, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan etc.

According to the Department of Culture, Varanasi, Kashi has ¡°monumental ghats and discover the most ancient seat of education in India World the famous scholars and their `Shastrarthas¡¯, the great scholars, universities, college, schools, Madarsas and Pathshalas and Guru Shishya traditions, the epics, famous literary works, languages and dialects, journalistic traditions- newspapers and magazine, and famous libraries.¡±

Kashi has its own dialect. The land has cultural pluralistic, linguistic and ethnic groups. The city is popular for its rich stock of folk Music and drama (esp. Ramlila) and rich tradition of Akharas, games and sports.

Dasaswamedh Ghat, Dhamek Stupa, Ganga aarti, Banaras Hindu University, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Ramnagar Fort among several others, make a significant part of Varanasi¡¯s culture.

What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization. The organisation aims to maintain peace, security and stability in Eurasia.

Formally came into force in 2003 by signing the SCO charter, the SCO is a political, economic and military organization with 8 present member countries Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan and Iran. India and Pakistan became members in 2017.

Before the creation of SCO, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.

The objective of the organisation is to strengthen mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states, promotion of trade & economy, research & technology and culture and enhance ties in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, etc.

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