Varanasi, India's most sacred city is situated on the West bank of the Ganga. Varanasi is also known as Benaras.  Varanasi derives its name from two streams, the Varuna on the North side of the city and the Assi, a small trickled on the south. Varanasi is said to combine all the virtues of all other places of pilgrimage and anyone dying within the area marked by the Panch Kosi road is transported straight to heaven. It  is also an  important pilgrimage centre for Buddhists as it was at Sarnath (10 km from Varanasi), Lord Buddha gave his Ist sermon after enlightment. Varanasi today, is also a centre of education, art and craft.