Varanasi is a district in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, with Varanasi city as the district headquarters. It is also called Kashi. According to Hindu and Buddhist mythologies, it is one of the sacred places of pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists. It is believed that Lord Shiva along with Parvathi as Vishwanatha and Vishalaakshi reside there to bless devotees. It is surrounded by Mirzapur district, Jaunpur district, Ghazipur district, Chandauli district, and Bhadohi district. The Ganga (Ganges) river flows through the district. It is considered by Hindus to be a sacred and pure river, having the ability to wash away sins when people take a dip in it. Part of the Varanasi division, the district occupies an area of 1,535 square kilometres (593 sq mi) and as of the 2011 Census of India, it had a population of 3,676,841.
Divisions
The district is made up of four tehsils: Varanasi, Pindra, Ramnagr, and Rajatalab, and eight Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies: Pindra, Shivpur, Rohaniya, Varanasi North, Varanasi South, Varanasi Cantt., Sevapuri, and Ajagara.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, Varanasi district has a population of 3,676,841, This gives it a ranking of 75th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 2,399 inhabitants per square kilometre (6,210/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 17.32%. Varanasi has a sex ratio of 909 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 77.05%.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1853 | 420,822 | — |
| 1865 | 453,414 | +0.62% |
| 1872 | 502,185 | +1.47% |
| 1881 | 554,690 | +1.11% |
| 1891 | 628,380 | +1.26% |
| 1901 | 681,858 | +0.82% |
| 1911 | 685,391 | +0.05% |
| 1921 | 696,188 | +0.16% |
| 1931 | 745,318 | +0.68% |
| 1941 | 884,210 | +1.72% |
| 1951 | 1,047,522 | +1.71% |
| 1961 | 1,241,210 | +1.71% |
| 1971 | 1,514,420 | +2.01% |
| 1981 | 1,919,746 | +2.40% |
| 1991 | 2,508,110 | +2.71% |
| 2001 | 3,138,671 | +2.27% |
| 2011 | 3,676,841 | +1.60% |
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Languages
Languages in Varanasi District
At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 76.19% of the population in the district spoke Hindi, 19.68% Bhojpuri, and 3.24% Urdu as their first language.
- Bhojpuri is the native language of Varanasi.
- Sanskrit is the oldest language here. It is also taught in banaras.
Education
Colleges/Institutes
- Indian Institute of Technology (BHU)
- International Rice Research Institute
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (Rae Bareli Extension)
- National School of Drama
- Sunbeam College for Women
- Institute of Medical Sciences – BHU
- Indian Institute of Vegetable Research
- Kashi Institute of Technology (KIT)
- National Seed Research and Training Centre
- Uday Pratap College
Universities
- Banaras Hindu University
- Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
- Jamia Salafia, Varanasi
- Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith
- Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya