Varanasi (From Varuna Ghat to Assi Ghat, hence the name Varanasi) , also known as Benares, Banaras ( ), or Kashi ( ), is a North Indian city on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India south-east of the state capital, Lucknow and east of Allahabad. Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The spiritual capital of India, it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Varanasi lies along National Highway 2, which connects it to Kolkata, Kanpur, Agra, and Delhi, and is served by Varanasi Junction and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.