1. Purpose of the Varanasi Petition google webpage:

 

To make aware the admirers of Varanasi city, the devotees of the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism and afficionados of  Indian culture, literature, music, fine arts, history and tradition; the contribution of Varanasi in the history of humankind and to exhort the people across the globe, to appeal by voting at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/varanasi/petition.html, the government of India and the government of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, to save and properly develop Varanasi, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

 

2. Location of Varanasi:

 

Varanasi is located in Northern India in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is placed at the Eastern flank of Uttar Pradesh, where the state abuts the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh and falls almost midway between New Delhi and Kolkata on NH 2 popularly known as Grand Trunk Road. Varanasi is situated on the western bank of holy river Ganges.

 

3. Varanasi History & Importance:

 

Varanasi or Banaras or Benaras or Kashi is perhaps the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The continuous history of the city can be outlined to 5000 years. The city finds mention in oldest texts known to human kind like Rigveda, Ayurveda, Skanda Puran, Mahabharta and Ramayana. In the words of celebrated American author Mark Twain, Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together. The city is synonymous with world’s oldest way of life & religion Hinduism. Varanasi is in fact a melting pot of various religions and cultures namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Muslim & Christianity.

Hinduism: Known as the abode of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati (embodiment of Goddess Durga), the most important gods in Hindu religion, it is here that Ayurveda, one of the world’s most ancient texts, originated. Popularly referred to as city of temples, religious capital of India, city of learning, cultural capital of India and city of lights, Varanasi is the most important pilgrimage in Hindu religion. It is a common belief in Hindu religion that dying in the city of Varanasi, leads to Moksha, freedom from cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Varanasi is also worshipped as being one of the shaktipeeths (centre of divine cosmic power in feminine form or Goddess Durga).

Buddhism & Jainism: Sarnath, a suburb of Varanasi is among the three holiest pilgrimages for Buddhists because it was here Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon, preached for the first time Buddhism and made first lot of followers and disciple after attaining enlightment at Bodhgaya, some 200 kms east of Varanasi. To commemorate this momentous event, a stupa at Sarnath was erected in pre Mauryan empire period. The four lion national emblem of today’s India, created during the reigns of King Ashoka, the great was excavated at Sarnath. Sarnath today houses the monasteries of Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan and many others.  Parsvanatha, the 23^rd Tirthankar and the guru of Vardhaman Mahavira, the 24^th and the last Tirthankar of Jainism was based at Varanasi. The city is perhaps the only place where Gautam Buddha and Vardhaman Mahavira resided at the same time preaching two distinctly different ways of life namely Buddhism and Jainism.

Islam (Muslim): Some time around 1000 AD, Muslims reached the city in their quest of India and latter the city saw a large influx of gifted & skilled artisans from Persia & Turkey. These people brought the skills of weaving silk dresses and woolen carpets, for which the city and its hinterland is now world famous. The delicate silk works of Varanasi, adore the walls of St James & Versailles and in modern times come out as popular & pricey Banarasi sarees. The finest carpet ever weaved with highest No. of knots/ sq m, was made at Bhadohi, a suburb of Varanasi. However during the time of Muslim conquest a large No. of holy temples of Varanasi were desecrated and many scholars during this period has to flee the city and spread across India & abroad.

Christianity: With the advent of British, Christianity came to the city, the result of which is magnificent churches, which today adore the city. Varanasi thus is a perfect miniature India, a unity in diversity, the confluence of various religions, cultures, thoughts and hues.

Varanasi has a distinct contribution in literature, art, music and learning. The city has been abode of many literary gems of India like Veda Vyasa (who wrote Mahabartha), Patanjali (who discovered yoga & pranayama), Sant Kabir, Sant Ravidas, Tulsidas (writer of Ramacharitmanas), Sankracharya, Bhartendu Harischandra, Jayashakar Prasad (India’s greatest poet), Ramanuja, Munshi Premchand (India’s greatest novelist), Devkinandan Khatri and many others. Artists like Pt Ravishankar (world famous sitar musician), Girija Devi, Gudai Maharaj, Bismillah Khan (world famous sahnai musician), Pt Kishan Maharaj, Girija Devi, Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia and many others made Varanasi their abode in their quest to learn the depths of musical innovation. Varanasi is also a perfect place for oriental learning. Noted freedom fighter Annie Besant wih active support of Sri Aurbindo established The Theosophical society of India at Varanasi. J Krishnamurthy, noted philosopher got associated with the city and established Krisnamurthy Foundation, which is active in the field of education. The city houses three universities, a deemed university and numerous colleges. World’s one of the largest residential universities, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) spread over around 1400 acres of land generously donated by the then King of Varanasi was founded by great social reformer Pt Madan Mohan Malviya in the year 1916 with active cooperation of Annie Besant and generous donations from various Kings and Businessmen of then India including Birlas, Ruias, Dalmias, Nizam of Hyderabad, Sayajirao Gaekwad of Vadodara, Holkars of Indore, Maharaja of Jodhpur, Maharaja of Cochin & Travancore and many more. Beautifully landscaped, the university houses 3 Institutes and more than 128 independent teaching departments, whose Institute of Technology or IT BHU is a deserving candidate to become an IIT. The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarnath is a deemed university, working earnestly to preserve the Tibetan culture.

Varanasi has the unique distinction of being a city of paradoxes and contrasts as far as religion and philosophy is concerned. It is essentially a city of idolatry, rituals, rites, Karmakanda and Brahmanical way of worship however at the same time the city was tolerant enough to allow new religions like Buddhism & Jainism and new sects like Arya Samaj & Bramha Samaj to be spread and debated, which in one way or the other challenged the method of rituals and idol worship; the very foundation of city’s existence.

 

4. Varanasi as a centre of religious and cultural tourism in India:

 

Varanasi remains unmatched, unparalleled and unrivalled across the globe, as far as contribution to the development and enrichment of human civilization by any city goes. Due to its unique place in religion, culture, history, literature, music and tradition a large No. of Indian and foreign tourists and pilgrims flock to the city every year. In fact in whole North India Varanasi is among most popular destination for foreign tourists along with New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Khajuraho. Celebrities find a natural association with the city. From Dalai Lama, Beetles, Madonna, Deepa Mehta, Mira Nair, Amitabh Bacchhan to Ren many popular icons of today find unison with this place. Many films of modern genre either have been based on the city like Deepa Mehta’s Water or have been associated somehow with Varanasi like Bollywood film DON, with the song Khaiye ke pan Banaras wala.  The centre of attraction for tourists is oldest inhabited area of the city on the banks of holy river Ganges, popularly known as The Ghats. The ghats are stone steps which flank the river throughout the city, spread, today some 20 kms from South to North across the river flow. Varanasi has more than 100 ghats and many of them have been built by different kings of India (Scindias of Gwalior, Holkars of Indore, King of Jhansi, King of Kashi, Peshwas of Pune, Bhosles, King of Darbhanga, King of Jaipur, King of Amber, Kings of South India and many more) & King of Nepal in different times for different purpose. Some famous public ghats like popular Dasasmedh Ghat is said to have been built by Gods themselves. Even in old times The ghats were most popular part of the city which is attested by description of celebrated Chinese visitor Huen Tsang during 7th century, who was mesemerised by prosperity and glamour of the city.  Apart from ghats, the temples are other big draw. Among 12 jyotirlingas, devoted to worship of Lord Shiva, the Varanasi jyotirlinga is considered to be most revered. The famous Kashi Viswanath temple rebuilt by Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in year 1780 after the original, oldest Shiva temple was destroyed by one of the Muslim Kings. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh of Punjab donated a gold dome to this temple. Among other famous temples are Durga temple, Sankat Mochan temple, new Viswanath temple in BHU premises, Gautam Buddha temple at Sarnath and Jain temple at Sarnath.

 

5. Clarification:

 

Though every effort has been made to present correct details related to the history of Varanasi, however in case of any errors, respondents are requested to be generous enough to pardon us and to take the intention of the petitioner in correct spirit.

 

6. Present Status of Varanasi:

 

This important city which is witness of human metamorphosis for ages and which is a tribute to men and his ideas, is facing a slow and gradual decay. This is thanks to long apathy of both urban development ministry, ministry of tourism, ministry of civil aviation, ministry of surface transport and ministry of railways of government of India as well as government of state of Uttar Pradesh. Poor planning and chaos of burgeoning population has taken a heavy toll on this city. Many of its landmarks are in danger of getting extinct. A movement has to be started to save this city and to declare it a world heritage city by UNESCO. However government urban planners have not been able to come out with any appropriate plan for the city. The new bridges which are coming on river Ganges in the city have numerous concrete pillars inside the river, due to which the river flow is getting disturbed, which in turn has led to the situation of river changing its course and consequent soil erosion, which may harm the ancient ghats and Ramnagar fort. The city needs more bridges for Trans Ganges movement of traffic however, the bridges ought to be of pillar less cantilever type. Similarly to settle the burgeoning population the city needs new planned urban settlement areas away from the ghats. The poor sewerage system, erratic electric supply, flyover less congested and pothole ridden roads, encroachments on roads and public places, unregulated construction activities, poor infrastructure at railway stations and bus stands, poor traffic management and inadequate intra city mass transit system (depending on age old cycle rickshaw and auto rickshaws) and vision less growth has taken a heavy toll on the city. The city needs one Institue for study of Indology and a dedicated Institute for classical music. All lovers of Indology are invited to sign this petition so that concerned departments make honest efforts to save this city.

 

7. The Petition (located at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/varanasi/petition.html):

 

The preservation of the age old city of Varanasi is nothing but preservation of the history of human kind. It is as important as that.

The details of the petition are mentioned as under. By signing the petition located at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/varanasi/petition.html you confirm to the following:

 

7.1 That the city should be given the due attention by urban development ministry of the government of India and the government of Uttar Pradesh state of India for urban renewal mission. New settlement areas should be planned away from the ghats. The intra city roads should be made encroachment free & widened and new flyovers be built. The city needs more greenery cover. Like Taj Heritage Zone at Agra, Varanasi should also be electricity cut free zone. That the construction activities in heritage zone need regulation. An effort should be made to keep the city free from filth and dirt. That the projects of Ganges action plan, an international effort to keep holy river Ganges pollution free and to renovate the drainage and sewerage system of the city, be implemented without any further delay.

 

7.2 That the historical sites of the city be preserved by Archeological Survey of India in proper manner and the city be declared as world heritage by UNESCO.

 

7.3 That ministry of tourism of India should work hard to develop the tourist spots of the city, especially The ghats, the temples and Sarnath. Tourist information bureau should be made at important places which should assist foreign as well as domestic tourists. They need to sanction more budget hotels and Dharmasalas in the city. The cultural fairs organized in the city from time to time should be increased and be given global publicity. That the famous Kashi Viswanath temple, where the most important jyotirlinga, dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva, the most important god in Hindu religion, is situated, should be managed properly on the lines of Tirupathi Tirumala Shrine Board.  

 

7.4 That the Varanasi airport needs augmentation of facilities and immediate facelift. With more and more tourists and business people flocking in, the No. of domestic as well as international regular and chartered flights needs increment. Ministry of civil aviation of India should give due attention to this need.

 

7.5 That the Varanasi cantt railway station should be completely overhauled. That the platforms are dirty, have poor announcement system, have poor facilities and are full of touts. Many important long distance, trains originating from Varanasi have in recent times been extended to neighbouring state of Bihar like Ganga Kaveri Express to Chennai have been extended to Chhapra, Tirupati Express to Tirupati and Hyderabad as well as Cochin Express to Cochin have been extended to Patna. There are no trains for Bangalore, Trivandaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Vishakapatnam, Udaipur from Varanasi. Pilgrims from South and Sri Lanka have made numerous petition to Ministry of Railways for trains to Varanasi however railway ministry of India has paid no heed to this. Varanasi cantt and Mugulsarai jn needs regular DMU/ EMU movement. That the Mugalsarai to Varanasi to Allahabad and Lucknow section needs doubling of tracks and electrification of route.

 

7.6 That the city be given a ring road for better connectivity and easy movement of traffic with multiple cantilever type bridges across river Ganges. During the tenure of Mr Rajnath Singh as minister for surface transport a proposal to this effect was mooted, survey done and in many place the land have been  acquired, however since then the matter is progressing slow. The city should be given a Mass Transit system.

 

7.7 That the Banaras Hindu University (www.bhu.ac.in)  be given more funds for expansion of Institute of Medical Sciences, Malviya heritage complex project, development of Rajiv Gandhi south campus, new departments, new hostels and renovation of existing structures and campus. That the IT BHU (www.itbhu.ac.in), India’s most prestigious non IIT engineering institution be converted into an IIT. That the city be given a dedicated central Institute for study of Indology and an Institute for Classical Music for which the city is globally known. That the city should also be given a state level engineering college and a state level medical college under Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth University, Varanasi.

 

7.8 That the craftsmanship of Varanasi and its hinterland brings a lot of foreign exchange to India by way of exports. Ministry of industry and commerce should expedite setting up of an SEZ at near by place of Bhadohi, dedicated to Textiles (Slikware and Banarsi Sarees), Handicrafts & Carpets.

 

7.9 That the Ministry of Home affairs of the government of India and the state of Uttar Pradesh should tackle the falling law and order situation promptly.

 

7.10 That a panel of expert architects, urban planners and eminent cultural personalities be made for continuous suggestion, planning, implementation and monitoring of projects related to city’s reinvigoration.

 

8. Get more details about Varanasi:

 

8.1 Through Films:

·    Water (Directed by Deepa Mehta and nominated at 2006 Oscars for Best Foreign Film).

·    Dharma (Acted by Pankaj Kapoor).

·    Banaras (Acted by Nasruddien Shah).

 

8.2 Through Books:

·    Varanasi, The city of light by Robert E Svoboda.

·    Banaras, The sacred landscape of Varanasi by Niels Gutschow.

·    Banaras, The city of light by Diana Eck.

·    Banaras, Sacred city of India by Raghubir Singh.

·    Bismillah Khan & Banaras by Rita Ganguly.

·    Banaras, The city revealed by George M.

·    Benaras ki rasoi/ cuisine of Benaras: A collection of exotic recipes from Varanasi by Shasi Prabha Jain.

·    Varanasi, The heart of Hinduism by Raj Bali Pandey.

·    Varanasi Rediscovered by B Bhattacharya & B Bhattacharya.

·    A Hindu Education: Early years of Banaras Hindu University by Leah Renold.

·    Eicher Good Earth Varanasi city guide.

·    Lonely Planet India guide.

·    A No. of Coffee Table books are also available on Varanasi in almost all popular bookshops across the globe.

·    Log on to www.amazon.com for complete listing of books on Varanasi.

 

8.3 Through websites:

·    www.varanasi.nic.in

·    www.varanasicity.com

·    www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/varanasi

·    www.bhu.ac.in/banaras

 

 

With Regards

 

ATUL KUMAR