Benaras/Varanasi Cantt. --- Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The spiritual capital of India, it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism & Jainism. It played an important role in the development of Buddhism as well. Varanasi grew as an important industrial centre as well, famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. Buddha is believed to have founded Buddhism here around 528 BC. Benaras is known worldwide for its many ghats, embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. There are about 108 ghats in Varanasi.

The first railway line to Benaras was opened from Howrah in December 1862 and was built by the East Indian Railway Company. The station was build on right bank of the Ganges. Later in 1872, Oudh & Rohilkund Railway Company opened rail line from Benaras to Lucknow. In 1887, Dufferin Bridge (now renamed as Malavya bridge) was constructed over the Ganges at Benares allowing trains to go to Mughalsarai. Varanasi Cantt. is the highest revenue generating station of Northern Railways, as the station records a rush of more than 1.5 lakh passengers on a daily basis. The station have 9 platforms with a stopage of over 150 trains. 44 trains originates/terminates at this junction. The Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) is also situated at Varanasi. Founded in 1961, the DLW rolled out its first locomotive three years later, on January 3, 1964. It is the largest diesel-electric locomotive manufacturer in India. This station is one of the hot favorite railfanning destination for TT. Station code - BSB.