Another name for Varanasi/Banaras. See Divodasa to know how it got this name.

A holy place. The Vishwanatha temple is located here. As per the Halasyamahathmya, the shivalinga here was installed by Brahma himself. People from many parts of the world walk to Kashi to bathe in the Ganga. As per Agnipurana Chapter 112, once Shiva told Parvati that the temple at Varanasi would exist forever, hence it would be called avimukta. Offerings made here would also fall in the same category. he added that devotees should go to Kashi on foot and never leave. There are eight mahatheerthas around Kashi, within 2 yojanas to the east and half a yojana to the west. They are Harishchandratheertha, Aavratakeshwaratheertha, Japyeshwaratheertha, Sriparvatitheertha, Mahalayatheertha, Bhrigutheertha, Chandeshwaratheertha, and Kedaratheertha. The river Varana is also situated here. In the midst of all this is Varanasi.

Kashi is mentioned several times in the Mahabharata. Pandu once conquered it as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 9. Bhima married Balandhara, the princess of Kashi as per Adiparva Chapter 95 verse 77. Bhima conquered Kashi as per Sabhaparva Chapter 30 verse 6. Sahadeva conquered Kashi as per Udyogaparva Chapter 50 verse 31. The king of Kashi supported the Pandavas in the battle at Kurukshetra as per Udyogaparva Chapter 196 verse 1. Arjuna conquered Kashi as per Adiparva Chapter 122 verse 40. Krishna conquered Kashi as per Dronaparva Chapter 11 verse 5. Karna conquered it for Duryodhana as per Karnaparva Chapter 8 verse 19. According to Anushasanaparva Chapter 30 verses 12-15, Kashi was ruled by Haryashva, Sudeva, Divodasa.  As per Anushasanaparva Chapter 32 verse 9, it was also ruled by Vrishadarbha and Ushinara. Bhishma conquered Kashi during Amba’s swayamwar as per Anushasanaparva Chapter 44 verse 38. Yudhishtira’s ashwamedha horse reached here as per Ashwamedhaparva Chapter 83 verse 4.