Benares, India - situated on left bank of the Ganga (Ganges) River. Regarded as holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the River Ganges and the river's religious importance. The city has been a cultural and religious centre in northern India for several thousand years. Date: early 20th century