Religion in Varanasi

idgah, three sites for burying the taziyas, and 375 other religious sites.^[14]

St. Mary's Cathedral is notable.^[16]

Allahabad, has territorial jurisdiction also over Varanasi.^[17] Under this diocese, the St Thomas Church in Godowlia, in the heart of the Hindu dominated area of the city, is an ancient Protestant church, the location of which is said to be the place where St. Thomas had visited to preach in 52 AD. Father Stevens of the church believes that the church's brick structure is dated to a period earlier than 1700 AD. The church rises to a height of 60 feet (18 m). The church has been repainted recently with the traditional colours of light yellow and white, typical of Protestant churches.^[18]

Svetamabara and the other of Digambara.^[19]

pre-Ashokan stupas still in existence, though only its foundation remains.^[21] Also remaining is the Chaukhandi Stupa commemorating the spot where Buddha met his first disciples in the 5th century.^[22]

Tegh Bahadur (1664–1675) came to Varanasi in 1666 and the place where he resided is called Asu Bhairava Sangar (Nichibagh), which was also the place where Guru Gobind Singh the 10th and the last Guru also stayed. Gobind Singh had deputed five of his disciples to a school in Varanasi to learn Sanskrit and this school is still continuing; this is named as Guru Nanak Sanskrit Vidyalaya in Bisheshvarganj. Other notable religious places of the community are three sacred sites known as Sangats, and a monastery at Ramnagar which is stated to possess an original copy of the Guru Granth Sahib. There is also a grand Gurudwara near Augharnath-ka-Takia. A majority of Sikhs here are migrants from West Punjab in Pakistan who settled here after India's partition in 1947. The population of Sikhs was reported to be around 5,000.^[23]

Ravidasis from all around India.^[25]

aarti, and a public procession is organized.^[28][29] Starting in 1923, the temple organizes a five-day classical music and dance concert festival titled Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh in this period, when iconic artists from all parts of India are invited to perform.^{[26][30][31][32]}

Udit Narayan Singh started this tradition around 1830.^[33][34]

Kadamba tree (Neolamarckia cadamba) branch is planted on the banks of the Ganges so that a boy acting the role of Krishna can jump into the river on to the effigy representing Kaliya. He stands over the effigy in a dancing pose playing the flute; the effigy and the boy standing on it are given a swirl in front of the audience. People watch the display standing on the banks of the river or from boats.^[40] Bharat Milap celebrates the meeting of Rama and his younger brother Bharata after the return of the former after 14 years of exile.^[26] It is celebrated during October–November, a day after the festival of Vijayadashami. Kashi Naresh attends this festival in his regal attire. The festival attracts a large number of devotees.^[34]

the Ganges festival, the Ganges is venerated by arti offered by thousands of pilgrims who release lighted lamps to float in the river from the ghats.^[26][27]

Chehlum. A non-religious festival observed by Muslims is Ghazi-miyan-ka-byaha ("the marriage of Ghazi Miyan").^[41][42]