The name Varanasi possibly originates from the names of the two rivers from north to south. : Varuna , still flowing in Varanasi, and Assi, a small stream near Assi Ghat. The old city is located on the north shores of the Ganges , bounded by its two tributaries: Varuna and Assi. Throughout the ages, Varanasi has been known by many names including Kāśī or Kashi (used by pilgrims dating from Buddha 's days), Kāśikā ( Sanskrit : "the shining one"), Avimukta (Sanskrit: "never forsaken" by Shiva), Ānandavana (Sanskrit: the forest of bliss), and Rudravāsa (Sanskrit: the place where Rudra/Śiva resides). In the Rigveda , an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns, the city is referred to as Kāśī or Kashi, the "luminous city as an eminent seat of learning". The name Kāśī is also mentioned in the Skanda Purana . In one verse, Shiva says, "The three worlds form one city of mine, and Kāśī is my royal p...