Banaras (Classic India)

The Classic India series portrays the panorama of India's cultural heritage. For centuries India was perceived as the land of fabulous riches, of wisdom, of mystique and romance. It is this magic that the series captures. It provides a window to one of the world's most ancient civilizations anachronistic at times but most often vibrant and alive today. A collector's item, each book in this series is a visual delight.

Banaras, the city of enlightenment, is the religious capital of India. It has over 2000 temples, over half a million idols that are worshipped and at least 563 festivals celebrated in 365 days. The precise date of the city's foundation is unknown though historians believe it to be approximately 800 BC. Mark Twain once wrote, however: "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together!"