Banaras Hindu University has a rich history. Gandhiji gave his first political speech in India (on return from S. Africa) at the foundation stone laying ceremony of BHU. As you can imagine his speech caused quite a flutter and an embarrassment to the establishment. Sri S. Radhakrishnan also served as a VC here. Among the famous non-Indian families associated with BHU is the royal family of Nepal. Most of the Nepalese royal family members including King Birendra have graduated from BHU.

IT was formerly known as BENCO (Banaras Engineering College) and celebrated its Platinum Jubilee in 1994. IT-BHU offers Undergraduate and Graduate level courses in almost all fields. It is affiliated to the Indian Institutes of Technology and has a common entrance examination with them.

Varanasi is known as the Holy city of India. It has numerous temples lined on the banks of the river Ganga.