Varanasi (From Varuna Ghat to Assi Ghat, hence the name Varanasi) (Hindustani pronunciation: [ʋaːˈraːɳəsi]), also known as Benares,Banaras (Banāras [bəˈnaːrəs]), or Kashi (Kāśī [ˈkaːʃi]), is a North Indian city on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India 320 kilometres (200 mi) south-east of the state capital, Lucknow and 121 kilometres (75 mi) east of Allahabad. Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The spiritual capital of India, it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Varanasi lies along National Highway 2, which connects it to Kolkata, Kanpur, Agra, and Delhi, and is served by Varanasi Junction and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.
Varanasi Division Graduates Constituency (Hindi: वाराणसी खंड स्नातक निर्वाचन क्षेत्र) is one of 90 Legislative Council seats in Uttar Pradesh. This constituency covers Varanasi, Chandauli and Ghazipur district.
Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency (Hindi: वाराणसी लोकसभा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र) is one of the 80 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Uttar Pradesh state in northern India.
Its present MP, since 2014, is the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
In 2014, Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency comprises five Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) segments. These are:
.