Varanasi will host G20 financial and economic policy mandarins who will brainstorm on the state of the global economy on March 28-29.
Besides delegates from the G20 member countries, officials from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, OECD and the Asian Development Bank will also be present for the high-profile gathering that will make one of Dharmic religions' holiest places turning into an international economic conference center.
India had earlier hosted such a meeting of officials in Goa, which is one of the country's top tourist destinations.
The conference will also be an occasion to showcase the success of the Swachh Bharat mission in a city that was once considered among the 10 dirtiest in the country. Varanasi is well connected by rail and road and has flights from most big Indian cities.
Germany is currently the G20 chair and the next summit of its leaders is scheduled to be held in Hamburg in July.