Something 'ancient' is always shrouded with mystery, and some of the oldest cities of India are no less. They have seen the highs and the lows, the arrogance of rulers and their downfall, the zenith as well as the mediocrity of culture and literature, the invasions and the sieges – they have witnessed it all. Yet they remain standing to tell a tale, to share what they have been through, to help us learn from the mistakes of the past.
So, here we are to tell you a bit about these resilient cities that have stood their ground for millenniums.
1. Varanasi
As Mark Twain, famously known as the creator who gave us the "Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", was enthralled by the legend of one of the oldest living cities in the world – Varanasi had quoted it as “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”.
The first oldest mention of Varanasi was found in Atharva Veda (A V: 5.22.14) where it referred to the locational character of the city in the Mahabharata (Mbh: 3.8.39) – its existence stated at the confluence of Ganga and Gomti. Although there is a debate on the architect of the city, most scholars have confirmed its existence in 1000 B.C.E., that has been exemplified through archeological excavations, historical facts, literary resources and also through scientific investigations.
As being mythologically considered an Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati and home to one of the most revered jyotirlingas in the country - Kashi Vishwanath, this city is a seat of Hindu religion where it believed that taking a dip in the Ganges will wash away the sins of mortals and taking the last breath in this mystical city will free them from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Why is Varanasi Famous?
• Kashi Vishwanath temple - one of the twelve jyotirlingas.
• Sarnath where Buddha held his first sermon.
• Ganga Aarti, that starts at dusk.
• The coveted festival of Dev Deepavali where you will see the Ghats decked up with a million lamps!
How To Reach
Well connected to all the major cities in India.
By Flight
Fly to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, which is located 26 kms northwest of Varanasi.
By Train
Varanasi Junction railway station that is located in Railwayganj Colony and is hardly 3.5 kms from the main city.
2. Ujjain
Known on account of its association with King Vikramaditya’s legend, Ujjain had become a subject to Magadh in the 4th century B.C.E. Not just famous for Vikramaditya but also for Chandragupta Maurya’s grandson Ashoka, who was stationed in Ujjain as the Viceroy of Avanti. Although Fa-Hien, a traveller whose purpose was to look for sacred Buddhist texts did not mention about Ujjain in his records, but the famous Hiuen Tsang mentions Ujjain in his travelogues. This region is also known for King Bhoj and the planning of architectural marvels he undertook during his time.
Why is Ujjain Famous?
• Mahakal Temple – one of the 12 jyotirlingas.
• Kumbh Mela – one of the four Kumbh Melas is celebrated here.
• Two Shakti Peeths – Gadhkalika and Harsiddhi.
• It is believed the footprints of Lord Vishnu is here.
How To Reach
By Flight
Fly to the nearest airport is Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport located in Indore, which is 55 kms away from Ujjain.
By Train
Ujjain Junction Railway Station which is 2.3 kms away from the main city.
3. Madurai
Inhabited since 500 B.C.E, records show that Megasthanes visited Madurai in the 3rd century B.C.E. This region is associated with the rule of Pandyas from 4th to 10th century C.E. (same as AD) and then ruled by the Cholas from 920 C.E. till the beginning of the 13th century.
Why is Madurai Famous?
• Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.
• Thirumalai Nayak Palace.
How To Reach
By Flight
Fly to Madurai Airport, which is just 10 kms from the main city while the closest International Airport is in Chennai.
By Train
Madurai Junction Railway Station is a km away from the main city
4. Patna
Patna or what was known as Pataliputra, Pataligram, Kusumpur, Patalipattan, Azimabad etc., that was the seat of education in ancient times started from the century 600 B.C.E. The city that enjoyed its presence as the capital under the Mauryan rule, fell from its grace as Sher Khan Suri rose to power in the early 16th century C.E.
The city finds mention in the travel records of the famous travelers Fa-Hien in the 3rd century and also Hiuen Tsang in the 7th century, both of whom had documented extensively about India and the places and the religions followed in India.
Why Is Patna Famous?
• Was the capital of Magadh empire
• Golghar
• Jalan Museum
• Nalanda University
• Gandhi Ghat
• Bodh Gaya
How To Reach
By Flight
Fly to Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport in Patna which is 8.5 kms from the main city.
By Train
Patna Junction Railway Station, which is 3.3 kms from the main city.
5. Kannauj
Rich with archeological and cultural heritage, the ancient name of Kannauj was Kanyakubja or Mahodaya (as per Balmiki Ramayana, Mahabharat and Puran). Upon excavation quite a lot of pre-historic Bronze-age weapons and tools were found here. This region is said to have grown in prominence during the Mahabharata period!
Why Is Kannauj Famous?
• Perfume capital of India.
• Rich in archeological and cultural heritage.
How To Reach
By Flight
Fly to Kanpur, which is the nearest city, to Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Airport and take a cab to Kannauj which is 80 kms away.
By Train
It is better to head to Kanpur Central Railway station and then to Kannauj.
6. Pushkar
Mentioned not only in the two epics - Mahabharata and Ramayana, but also in the Puranas, this city has been one of the historical and cultural seats of Hinduism. Believed to have been founded in the first century, there is no historical data to prove it, but the records with the data show that the earliest mention of Pushkar was found in Islamic texts.
Why Is Pushkar Famous?
• Pushkar Camel Fair – an annual five-day festival.
• The Cursed Brahma Temple.
• Varaha Temple.
How To Reach
By Flight
Pushkar does not have an airport so visitors can fly to Jaipur International Airport that is the nearest airport and is 150 kms away.
By Train
Also known as Pushkar Terminus, Pushkar railway station is 2.5 kms from the main city.
7. Thanjavur
Although there are no references to Thanjavur in the third century B.C.E to the fourth century C.E., but some scholars believe that the city was present during that time. Known to be ruled by Cholas, Pandyas, and Rashtrakutas, Thanjavur has witnessed a lot of invasions over centuries but has been able to steadfastly maintain its trove of cultural and literary treasure.
Why Is Thanjavur Famous?
• Origin of a percussion instrument – Thavil.
• Brihadeswarar Temple.
• Darasuram.
How To Reach
By Flight
Fly to Trichy Airport that is the nearest to Thanjavur and is 55 kms away.
By Train
Trichy Junction is the nearest railway station to Thanjavur, which is 58 kms away.
8. Ayodhya
Regarded as one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus and the birth place of Lord Ram, Ayodhya, also called Oudh or Awadh, boosts also of being a town where Buddha resided in the 6th or 5th century B.C.E., and later it became known as a Buddhist Centre from the literatures of the Chinese Buddhist monk Fa-hien in the 5th century C.E.
Why Is Ayodhya Famous?
• Birthplace of Lord Ram.
• One of the seven important pilgrim sites of India.
How to Reach
By Flight
The nearest airport to Ayodhya is Lucknow International Airport.
By Train
The two major railways stations in Ayodhya are Faizabad and Ayodhya.
9. Delhi
Earliest reference of the Delhi area was found in the Mahabharata, an epic that describes the great war of cousins representing “Dharma” and “Adharma”. According to the historical narrative, a city called Indraprastha meaning “City of the God Indra” was built in 1400 B.C.E. Although nothing remains of Indraprastha, according to the legends that are prevalent across, it was a prosperous city. The first reference of the place named “Delhi” was made in the 1st century B.C.E, when Raja Dhilu built a city near the place where the Qutub Minar would be built in future.
Why Is Delhi Famous?
• Food.
• Historical monuments.
• Markets.
How To Reach
By Flight
Fly to Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is 20 kms from Delhi city.
By Train
New Delhi Railways Station is the main. But there is Nizamuddin Railway Station as well.
10. Kollam
Rich in socio-cultural aspect since ancient times, Kollam finds mention in the Roman and Phoenician accounts in the first century C.E. Later, from 9th century onwards, its presence finds mention in the travel records of Chinese, Arabs and Europeans.
Why Is Kollam Famous?
• Known for cashew industry and is the largest processed cashew exporter in India.
How To Reach
By Flight
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), which is 51 kms from Kollam.
By Train
It is well-connected to all the major cities. The railway stations are Eravipuram and Kollam Junction (QLN).
11. Vadodara
Situated on the banks of River Vishwamitri, there is a speculation that Vadodara may have had its origin in the 5th or 6th century C.E. Entry of early trade settlers had been dated to 812 C.E. A seat of Gupta empire that was taken over by the Chalukya dynasty, after which it was taken over a lot of times by Solanki Rajputs, Tehn, Muslims and by the Sultan of Delhi. The province was primarily under the rule of Hindu Kings till 1297.
Why Is Vadodara Famous?
• Cultural capital of Gujrat.
How To Reach
By Flight
Fly to Vadodara Airport, which is 6.3 kms from the city.
By Train
Vadodara Junction, which is 1.5 kms from the main city.
12. Gwalior
Dating back to the 8th century C.E. when a chieftain known as Suraj Sen contracted a deadly disease and wa cured by a hermit called Gwalipa. To show his gratitude Suraj Sen founded the city of Gwalior in his name. This is the prevalent story that circulates around the establishment of Gwalior.
Why Is Gwalior Famous?
• Palaces.
• Forts.
• Old temples.
• Known as the birthplace of the Great Tansen.
How To Reach
By Flight
Fly to Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport which is 11 kms away from main city.
By Train
Gwalior Junction Railway station which is just a km away from the main city.
As the cities hold their ground through ages of turmoil, it's time to pay them a visit and offer our respect to their resilience. I am preparing for my trip soon.
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