Baneras

Shri Nathji came to Benaras with Kasera Brothers. The Kasera brothers had been the only ones to have had the privilege of bathing with Shri Nathji in Benaras. After the ritual, they performed an aarti of Shri Nathji on the banks of the Ganges.

Varanasi also commonly known as Benares and Kashi is a city situated on the banks of the Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh It is regarded as a holy city by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India. Varanasi is one of the holiest cities and targets of pilgrimage for Hindus. As the place where Siddhārtha Gautama gave his first sermon to his disciples, Varanasi is the city where Buddhism was founded. It is the birthplace of Suparshvanath, Shreyansanath, and Parshva, who are respectively the seventh, eleventh, and twenty-third Jain Tirthankars and as such Varanasi is a holy city for Jains. Guru Nanak Dev visited Varanasi for Shivratri in 1507 and had an encounter which with other events forms the basis for the story of the founding of Sikhism. The city has a sizeable native Muslim population, it hosts the Roman Catholic Diocese of Varanasi, and has a significant Jewish expatriate community. Varanasi is home to numerous tribal faiths which are not easily classified and many denominations of the religions which are present.

The Kashi Naresh is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi and an essential part of all religious celebrations. The Ramnagar Fort lies about 14 km. from Varanasi and is situated on the opposite bank of river Ganges. It is the ancestral home of the Maharaja of Banaras. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the River Ganges and the river's religious importance. The city has been a cultural and religious centre in North India for several thousand years. The Benares Gharana form of the Indian classical music developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians resided or reside in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi.

 People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", "the city of learning", and "the oldest living city on earth." According to legend, the city was founded by the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, several thousand years ago, thus making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country. It is also a general belief that it stands on the weapon "The Trishool" (Trident) of Lord Shiva. It is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. Many Hindu scriptures, including the Rigveda, Skanda Purana, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, mention the city. Varanasi has nearly 100 ghats. Among the famous and the oldest of these are the Dashashwamegha Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat and the Harishchandra Ghat

 Varanasi has several small cottage industries, including production of Banarasi saris, which are a regional type of sari made from silk. The city also produces carpets and handicrafts. Varanasi produces large quantities of langra mango, which are variety developed in the area. Banarasi paan (betel leaf) and khoa (a milk product) are popular.

Here is the photo of Shri Nathji bathing at Benares Ghat along with Kasera Brothers, 1937. An extremely Rare Portrait, the only glimpse of Shri Nathji’s Bare Body.