Varanasi, the city of temples, ashrams and maths, located in Uttar Pradesh is known for trade and commerce since the early days. 'The city of light', which is also known for its art, music, dance and literature, is said to be the birthplace of ayurveda. Now it is all set to welcome pharmacy professionals and the entire spectrum of drug industry to light new beginnings in the country's pharmaceutical industry.
Varanasi, which is also known as capital of knowledge, is the oldest living city in the world. Varanasi or Kashi represents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. It presents a complete museum of Indian art and culture. At Varanasi we can feel the changing patterns and movements in course of history. The city has a rich and unique style of art forms and folk arts.
The city is a centre of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. It has produced several famous scholars and intellectuals, who have left their mark in respective fields of activity. Varanasi is home to numerous universities, college, schools, madrasas and pathsalas. It is the site of three public universities and Banarus Hindu University (BHU) positions itself among the top three largest residential universities in the world. The BHU is the first educational institute in the country offering a degree in pharmacy in 1932.
Varanasi presents a unique social and cultural fabric and cultural and linguistic pluralism. At Varanasi one gets to explore the city of affluence, intellectuals, oral traditions, castes and customs, personalities, professions and communal harmony.
Music, drama and entertainment are all synonymous with Varanasi. Banarus has long been famous for its music, both vocal and instrumental and has its own dance traditions. Moreover, it has a very rich stock of folk music and drama, fairs and festival and the rich tradition of akharas, games and sports. All these factors provide a different look to the holy city.
Varanasi has several small cottage industries, including silk sari making, hand-woven carpets and handicrafts. The Banarasi pan (betel leaves) and Banarasi khoa (a milk product similar to cheese) are popular and the related small-scale industry employs many people. The Indian Railways runs a major diesel locomotive factory in Varanasi, Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW).
According to Lord Macaulay, Varanasi was the "city, which in wealth, population, dignity and sanctity was among foremost in Asia". He described the commercial importance of the city by saying, "from the looms of Banarus went forth the most delicate silks that adorned the halls of St James and of Versailles."
The city is well connected by air, rail and bus with all the main Indian cities.