For Hindus, there is no city holier than Varanasi, also known as Benares or Kashi, it is located on the banks of the Ganges in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Established over 3,000 years ago, it is one of the oldest cities in India. Hindus believe that dousing one's self in the holy waters of the Ganga is the only true way to cleanse the soul of sin.