Gorakhpur/Varanasi/Trivandrum, Apr 16 : Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections across 15 states and two Union Territories began today amid tight security.

A total of 1,715 candidates, including 122 women, are contesting for the 124 seats, where over nine lakh officials have been deployed across 1.85 lakh polling stations.

The government has also ordered for a stringent check on the state borders to prevent movement of criminals and liquor.

Varanasi, Apr 13: One person was killed and two injured here on Monday after a fire broke out in a lane full of shops.

A transformer in the lane caught fire and gradually the flames spread to the entire area engulfing three saree shops.

Residents complained that the fire went out of control because of the carelessness of the administration.

Varanas

Varanasi, Apr 2 : Sex workers from far and near converged at a cremation ground here and danced through the twilight hours of Wednesday to "attain salvation or a better re-birth".

Wearing `ghungroos' (anklets with tiny bells) on their unshod feet and with garish make-up, they danced to the tune of folk songs.

The three-day festival, which commenced on March 31, saw several hundred sex workers entering a temple and dancing through the night.

Varanasi, Mar 18 : Stevia or honey leaf, known for its antidote properties against diabetes, is becoming popular as a cure for the disease in Varanasi.

Also known by the names of sweet leaf or sugar leaf, these leaves provide cure in many health disorders.

Varanasi, Mar 13 : President Pratibha Patil will address the 91st convocation of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) here today.

President Patil will also give away medals to the graduates.

The President is arriving here on a two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh.

BHU is regarded as the largest residential university in Asia. The fully residential campus has more than 128 independent teaching departments. Its 1350-acre campus was built on land donated by the Kashi Naresh.