Lord Shiva is the creator of holy town Varanasi. During a combat between Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, Shiva tore off one of the heads of Brahma. He carried the head as a symbol of victory and walked through the earth. When he reached Varanasi, the head dropped from his hand and disappeared into the ground that led to the vanishing of all the sins from Lord Shiva. This is the reason why this land is considered as a holy spot to wash away all your sins. Although the legend is linked with mythology, the archaeologists have discovered findings from 2000 BC, which is a testimony to the belief that Varanasi was a lively urban city. The birth of the Vedas also dated to this period.

The 1st century lead to the development of the religious city as roads were established in pious town Varanasi. Several prominent figures moved to Benaras to spread their religious thoughts. In the 13th century, Indian mystic poet Kabir was born and at the beginning of the 16th century, Sikhism started to spread in Varanasi. By the end of the 16th century, Varanasi came under the leadership of Mughal emperors. Akbar built many famous temples of Varanasi for Hindus. Therefore, a manifestation of the earliest tourism was witnessed in the 16th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, Varanasi became a state and Ramnagar, the capital. Once India gained independence, Varanasi was incorporated into the united provinces.