WelcomHeritage Jukaso Ganges is located at Varanasi, which is commonly known as Benares or Banaras and Kashi, situated on the Banks of River Ganges. It is regarded as a holy city by the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. The City of Varanasi has the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and probably the oldest in India. The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south. Another speculation about the origin of the name is that the river Varuna itself was called Varanasi in olden times, from which the city got its name. This is generally disregarded by historians.