Varanasi Ganga Ghats and Hindu mytholog
Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together. - Mark Twain
Varanasi is located on the Ganga river bank in North india.
My passion about Varanasi city –
I was born and brought up in Varanasi city and departed in 1989 for graduation and later settled in New Delhi. I’am always attached to this city emotionally as I observed people and culture of the city since my childhood and this city represents a true rich Indian religious culture.
Hindu Mythology-
According to the Hindu mythology, city was founded by God Shiva. Varanasi is still called ‘The City of Shiva’; and devotion to Shiva can be seen in the city abundantly.
Varanasi has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years and is closely associated with the Ganges. Hindus believe that death in the city will bring salvation, making it a major centre for pilgrimage. The city is known worldwide for its many ghats, embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions.
My recent visit to Varanasi after 4 years Gap –
My last visit to Varanasi was in 2014 and after that I got a chance to visit Varanasi on Feb. 08, 2019.
I found a lot of changes in city specially sanitation and lighting. Whole city glitters by recently installed LED lights and now city looks more clean.
Varanasi Ghats –
Varanasi Ghats are city lifeline. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats are used exclusively as cremation sites.
Most Varanasi ghats were rebuilt after 1700 AD, when the city was part of Maratha Empire. Many ghats are associated with legends or mythologies while many ghats are privately owned.
Morning view of river ganga and night beauty of ghats-
– Morning boat ride on the Ganges across the ghats is a popular visitor’s attraction.
Night view-
Three Famous Ghats of Varanasi –
Manikarnika Ghat -
According to one, it is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu dug a pit with his Chakra and filled it with his perspiration while performing various penances. While Lord Shiva was watching Lord Vishnu at that time, the latter’s earring (“manikarnika”) fell into the pit.
According to ancient texts, the owner of Manikarnika Ghat bought King Harishchandra as a slave and made him work on the Manikarnika at Harishchandra Ghat. Hindu cremations customarily take place here, though a majority of dead bodies are taken for cremation to the Manikarnik Ghat. According to other sources that Manikarnik Ghat is named after Jhansi ki Rani Laxmibhai.
Dashashwamedh Ghat-
is the main ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and is probably the most spectacular ghat. Two Hindu legends are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another legend, Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during Dasa-Ashwamedha yajna performed here.
The present ghat was built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao in the year 1748. A few decades later, Ahilyabahi Holkar, the Queen of Indore rebuilt the ghat in the year 1774.
Ganga aarti- One of main attraction is evening Ganga Aarti, at Dashashwamedh ghat, Varanasi
Assi Ghat -
This ghat that used to lie at the confluence of the Ganges with the dry river Assi marks the traditional southern boundary of the city. Asisangameshwar Temple at the ghat finds mention in the Kashi Khand of Skandmahapuran. This ghat is very popular because it is one of the very few ghats that is linked with the city through a wide street. It is also the major ghat that is closest to BHU. Assi ghat name is given as it is the 80th ghat.
Location on Map-