Indian Hindu Sadhu Holy Man On The Steps Of The Bathing Ghats Overlooking The Sacred But Polluted River Ganges. The Culture Of Varanasi Is Closely Associated With The River Ganges And The River's Religious Importance.It Is The Religious Capital Of Indiaand An Important Pilgrimage Destination.Varanasi, Also Known As Benares, An Ancient City, One Of The World's Oldest Continually Inhabited Cities, Situated On The Left/West Bank Of The Sacred Ganges River. Regarded As Holy By Hindus, Buddhists, And Jains.? Uttar Pradesh State, India, Asia. ? Paul Quayle / Axiom