Varanasi or Benaras, also known as kashi, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Benaras's prominence in hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed. Mark Twain, the English writer who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Benaras, once wrote "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together. " According to  the "Vamana Purana", the Varuna and Assi rivers originated from the body of  primordial Person at the beginning of time itself.  The tract of land lying between them is believed to be, "Varanasi", the holiest of all pilgrimages.