Arguably one of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi or Kashi is the holiest city for Hindus. An iconic feature of Varanasi is its ghats which lead to the holy River Ganga. Each of these ghats has its specialities that attract not only devotees but also a lot of tourists. Here are 5 ghats in Varanasi that you must visit.
5 Ghats Of Varanasi
- Assi Ghat
- Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Man Mandir Ghat
- Darbhanga Ghat
1. Assi Ghat
Witness the confluence of River Ganga merging with Assi River from this ghat. It is believed that after the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha were killed by Goddess Durga, she threw her knife here. The impact tore the earth, causing the Assi River to pour out from it.
There’s even a Shiva Linga under a peepal tree that devotees from all over India come to worship. The mornings are magical as you get to be a part of Subah-e-Banaras – a spiritual experience where Vedic chants takes place, Kriya Yoga is practised, and classical music echoes. You’ll also feel the devotion come to life during the Ganga evening aarti when diyas are illuminated and the prayer reverberates in the air.
2. Dashashwamedh Ghat
Experience the renowned Ganga aarti that’ll leave you completely enchanted. The grandeur of bells ringing, holy mantras chanted repeatedly, cymbals clanging, and veneration of River Ganga unveiling in front of you is a bewitching spectacle.
Located close to the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat is named so after Lord Brahma performed ten Ashwamedha Yagyas here. It’s at this ghat where the majority of people take a dip in the holy river of Ganga. You can even participate in the rituals and float small diyas and leaf platters in the river as reverence.
Timings Of Ganga Aarti: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
3. Manikarnika Ghat
Pilgrims believe that cremation at Manikarnika Ghat grants Moksha (salvation). The fire here never extinguished, as it serves as the largest cremation ground in Varanasi.
According to legend, Manikarnika was originally known as Chakrapushkarni. One day, a gem from Goddess Parvati’s earring fell and Lord Shiva dug a hole in search of it. Later, the kund was referred to as the Manikarnika (earrings in Sanskrit).
It’s also not uncommon to see large piles of firewood stacked because of the high amount of people who come here to cremate their loved ones. You can also see that the architecture of many of the temples and structures are built with ancient stones, reflecting the architecture of Varanasi.
4. Man Mandir Ghat
Maharaja Man Singh of Amer constructed this ghat, also known as Someswara Ghat, in the early 1600s. There’s also a lingam of Lord Someshwar – one of the avatars of Lord Shiva. The Alamgir Masjid and Dhamek Stupa nearby are also worth a visit. The stupa can be traced back to 249 BCE when it was built.
Another renowned tourist place is the Jantar Mantar, an observatory by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the kingdom of Amber in the year 1737. It’s on top of Mana Mahala. Instruments such as Disha Yantra, Digansha Yantra, and Dhruva Yantra, used for different calculations, are available for you to find.
5. Darbhanga Ghat
It’s another ghat in Varanasi that’s sacred grounds for cremation and last rites. The royal family of Darbhanga named this ghat. On the very top of the ghat, you’ll find a Shiva temple that has stood for many years now. You can even visit the shrine of Kukkuteswara right over there.
Darbhanga Ghat offers an open crematorium and special pujas where people can immerse their ashes in the River Ganga. These rituals break the cycle of reincarnation and provide ultimate salvation.
Summing Up
These ghats of Varanasi feel mystical with the undying devotion of so many devotees. Visiting the top of the ghats will give you a glimpse of everything we’ve mentioned. Even if you don’t consider yourself religious, you’ll still feel mesmerized watching others immerse themselves in their faith.
FAQs
How Many Ghats Are In Varanasi?
There are over 80 ghats in Varanasi and most of them allow devotees to take a dip in the River Ganga. Two of them – Darbhanga and Manikarnika – are open cremation grounds.
Which Is The Holiest Ghat In Varanasi?
Manikarnika is the holiest ghat of Varanasi. As per beliefs, one can attain salvation by getting cremated here.
Which Is The Biggest Ghat In Varanasi?
Dashashwamedh is the biggest ghat in Varanasi located along the banks of River Ganga.
