what is the meaning of its name?
Its name is derived from two Ganges tributaries - Varuna and Assi
Varanasi
Traditional etymology links "Varanasi" to the names of two Ganges tributaries forming the city's borders: Varuna, still flowing in northern Varanasi, and Assi, today a small stream in the southern part of the city, near Assi Ghat.
varanasi is the oldest city in the world Varanasi is a major religious hub in India, it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities ("Sapta Puri") in Hinduism and Jainism
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Varanasi [SEP] Etymology
Traditional etymology links "Varanasi" to the names of two Ganges tributaries forming the city's borders: Varuna, still flowing in northern Varanasi, and Assi, today a small stream in the southern part of the city, near Assi Ghat. The old city is located on the north shores of the Ganges, bounded by Varuna and Assi. In the "Rigveda," an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns, the city is referred to as Kāśī (काशी: Kashi) from the Sanskrit verbal root "kaś-" "to shine", making Varanasi known as "City of Light", the "luminous city as an eminent seat of learning". The name was also used by pilgrims dating from Buddha's days.