Some quotes and images of Varanasi

"Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together!" - Mark Twain

"The city illumines truth and reveals reality.   It does not bring new wonders into the scope of vision, but enables one to see what is alrealdy there.  Where this eternal light intersects the earth, it is known as Kashi (Varanasi)". - Diana L. Eck

"up and down the ghats, all day long, but especially in the early morning, stream the endless course of pilgrims, ragged tramps, aged crones, horrible beggars, hawkers, Brahmin preists, sacred bulls and cows, Hindu preachers wealthy rajas (kings) or bankers in gay palanquins.  Fakirs, pariah dogs, and scoffing globetrotters from Europe and America". - W.S. Caine

"...crammed perspective of platform,s soaring stairways, sculptured temples, majestic palaces, softening away into the distances; and there is movement, motion, human life everywhere, and brilliantly costumed - streaming in rainbows up and down the lofty stairways..." - Mark Tain