Ghats in Varanasi

Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the Ganges river. The city has 84 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremonial ghats, while two ghats, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are used exclusively as cremation sites.[1]

Ahilya Ghat by the Ganges, Varanasi
Chet Singh Ghat in Varanasi
Kedar Ghat in Varanasi

Most of the ghats in Varanasi were rebuilt in the 18th century under the maratha patronage. The patrons of current ghats are Marathas, Shindes (Scindias), Holkars, Bhonsles, Peshwes (Peshwas), and Maharajas of Benares. Many ghats are associated with legends or mythologies while other ghats have private histories and users. A morning boat ride on the Ganges along the ghats is a popular visitor attraction.

Etymology

It is derived from Sanskrit, "ghaṭṭa" (Sanskrit: गट्टः). It means an embankment or a landing place.[2]

Ghat, a term used in the Indian subcontinent, depending on the context could either refer to a range of stepped-hill such as Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats; or the series of steps leading down to a body of water or wharf, such bathing or cremation place along the banks of a river or pond, Ghats in Varanasi, Dhoby Ghaut or Aapravasi Ghat.[3][4] Roads passing through ghats are called Ghat Roads.

List of ghats

The ghats as named and counted by the city of Varanasi with supplementing links, listed in ascending order according to their location (from Assi Ghat to Adi Keshava Ghat):

Part 1: from Assi Ghat to Prayag Ghat (1–41)

No. Name Picture
1 Assi Ghat
2 Ganga Mahal Ghat (I)
3 Lassi Ghat
4 Tulsi Ghat
5 Bhadaini Ghat
6 Janaki Ghat
7 Mata Anandamai
8 Vaccharaja Ghat
9 Jain Ghat
10 Nishad Ghat
11 Prabhu Ghat
12 Panchkota Ghat
13 Chet Singh Ghat
14 Niranjani Ghat
15 Mahanirvani Ghat not available
16 Shivala Ghat
17 Gularia Ghat
18 Dandi Ghat
19 Hanuman Ghat not available
20 Prachina (Old) Hanuman Ghat
21 Karnataka Ghat
22 Harishchandra Ghat
23 Lali Ghat
24 Vijayanagaram Ghat
25 Kedar Ghat
26 Caowki (Chauki) Ghat
27 Ksemesvara / Somesvara Ghat
28 Mansarovar Ghat
29 Narad Ghat
30 Raja Ghat rebuilt by Amrut Rao Peshwa
31 Khori Ghat not available
32 Pandey Ghat
33 Sarvesvara Ghat not available
34 Digpatia Ghat
35 Causatthi Ghat
36 Rana Mahal Ghat
37 Darbhanga Ghat
38 Munshi Ghat
39 Ahilyabai Ghat
40 Sitala Ghat
41 Dashashwamedh Ghat


Part 2: from Prayag to Adi Keshava Ghat (42–84)

No. Name Picture
42 Prayag Ghat not available
43 Rajendra Prasad Ghat .
44 Man Mandir Ghat
45 Tripura Bhairavi Ghat
46 Mir (Meer) Ghat
47 Phuta/ Naya Ghat old site of Yajnesvara Ghat
48 Nepali Ghat not available
49 Lalita Ghat
50 Bauli/ Umaraogiri/ Amroha Ghat not available
51 Jalasen (Jalasayi) Ghat
52 Khirki Gate not available
53 Manikarnika Ghat
54 Bajirao Ghat not available
55 Scindhia Ghat
56 Sankatha Ghat
57 Ganga Mahal Ghat (II)
58 Bhonsale Ghat
59 Naya Ghat In Prinsep's map of 1822, this was named as Gularia Ghat
60 Genesa Ghat
61 Mehta Ghat Formally this was part of the preceding ghat, but after the construction of V.S.Mehta hospital (1962), this is known to the name of latter one.
62 Rama Ghat
63 Jatara Ghat
64 Raja Gwalior Ghat
65 Mangala Gauri Ghat (also known as Bala Ghat)
66 Venimadhava Ghat part of the Pancaganga Ghat and also known as Vindu Madhava Ghat
67 Panchaganga Ghat
68 Durga Ghat
69 Brahma Ghat
70 Bundi Parakota Ghat
71 (Adi)Sitala Ghat This is an extended part of the preceding ghat
72 Lal Ghat
73 Hanumanagardhi Ghat
74 Gaya/Gai Ghat
75 Badri Nayarana Ghat
76 Trilochan Ghat
77 Gola Ghat Since the late 12th cent. this site was used as ferry point and was also known for several granaries (gold)
78 Nandesvara /Nandu Ghat
79 Sakka Ghat
80 Telianala Ghat
81 Naya/Phuta Ghat During the 18th century the ghat – area became deserted (Phuta), but later on it was renovated. This way the ghat was formerly known as phuta, and later as Naya.
82 Prahalada Ghat
83 Raja Ghat (Bhaisasur Rajghat) / Lord Dufferin bridge / Malaviya Bridge
84 Adi Keshava Ghat
Sant Ravidas Ghat
Nishad Ghat (divided from Prahalada)
Rani Ghat
Shri Panch Agni Akhara Ghat
Tathagat Ghat / Buddha Ghat

According to the puranic sources, there are five key ghats on the riverfront which are important because of their association with a defining feature of the holy city of Kashi: Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Panchganga Ghat, Rajendra Prasad Ghat, and Adi Keshav Ghat.[2]

Assi Ghat

This ghat that used to lie at the confluence of the Ganges with the dry river Asi 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 Banaras Hindu University. Assi ghat's name is derived from the river Assi. Two lingas are worshipped at this site. Assi Ghat is described, in some of the Puranas, as the place where the goddess Durga defeated two asuras, Shumba and Nishumba. Assi ghat is also the place where Tulsidas completed the Ramcharitmanas.[5] Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a water ATM here on 17th September 2015 on the occasion of the PM's birthday.[6]

Dashashwamedh Ghat
Main article: Dashashwamedh Ghat
Ganges Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi

Dashashwamedh Ghat is located close to the Vishwanath Temple and is the most popular ghat.[7] According to legend, Brahma performed ten Ashwamedha sacrifices here.[5] Every evening an aarti is performed at this ghat in dedication to Shiva, the goddess Ganga, Surya, Agni, as well as the whole universe.[5]

Manikarnika Ghat
Main article: Manikarnika Ghat

The Manikarnika Ghat is one of the cremation sites.[5] There are two legends which are associated with the Manikarnika Ghat.[8] According to one, Vishnu used his Chakra to dig a pit and filled it with his perspiration while performing various penances. While watching Vishnu, one of Shiva's earrings or manikarnika fell into the pit. According to the second legend, Parvati hid her earrings at this site to keep Shiva from traveling around the world. She told him that she had lost the earrings on the banks of the Ganges. In this legend, whenever a body gets cremated at the Manikarnika Ghat, Shiva asks the soul whether it has seen the earrings.[5]

Raj Ghat

Situated near to Kashi railway station, this is one of the famous ghats of Varanasi. This is next to the Raj Ghat bridge. Famous Ravidas temple is located on this ghat. It is also famous for Pind Daan and asthi-visarjan. Famous priests of Kashi are based here. The ghats can easily be accessed through any kind of vehicles and parking facilities are also available here. This ghat is also friendly for disabled people who can not walk through narrow lanes of Kashi. They can easily reach here by car or bike.

Scindia Ghat
Early morning meditation on a Ghat on the Ganges, Varanasi

Scindia Ghat also known as Shinde Ghat borders Manikarnika to the north, with its Shiva temple lying partially submerged in the river as a result of excessive weight of the ghat's construction about 150 years ago. Above the ghat, several of Kashi's most influential shrines are located within the tight maze of alleys of Siddha Kshetra (Field of Fulfillment). According to tradition, Agni, the Hindu God of Fire was born here. Hindu devotees propitiate at this place Vireshwara, the Lord of all heroes, for a son.

Maan-Mandir Ghat

Mana-Mandir Ghat: Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur built this Ghat in 1770, as well as the Jantar Mantar equipped with ornate window casings along with those at Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, and Mathura. There is a fine stone balcony in the northern part of the ghat. Devotees pay homage here to the lingam of Someswar, the Lord of the Moon.

Lalita Ghat
Varanasi Ghat at sunrise.

Lalita Ghat: The late King of Nepal built this Ghat in the northern region of Varanasi. It is the site of the Ganges Keshav Temple, a wooden temple built in typical Kathmandu style, The temple has an image of Pashupateshwar, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Local festivals including musical parties and games regularly take place at the beautiful Assi Ghat which is at the end of the continuous line of ghats. It is a favourite site of painters and photographers. It is here at the Assi Ghat that Swami Pranabananda, the founder of Bharat Sevasharam Sangh, attained 'Siddhi' (fulfilment/success) in his 'Tapasya' (endeavour) for Lord Shiva, under the auspices of Guru Gambhirananda of Gorakhpur.

Jain Ghat or the Bachraj Ghat
Bachraj Ghat

The Jain Ghat or Bachraj Ghat is a Jain Ghat and has three Jain Temples located on the banks of the River. It is believed that the Jain Maharajas used to own these ghats. Bachraj Ghat has three Jain temples near the river's banks and one they are a very ancient temple of Tirthankara Suparswanath.

Tathagat Ghat or Buddha Ghat

Tathagat Ghat is famous Ghat of Varanasi which is situated in Sarai Mohana. Sarai Mohana is situated near Sarnath. Sarnath is that place where Tathagata Buddha gave his First Sermon to their five disciples. This ghat was named after Gautam Buddha. The word "Tathagata" is synonyms of Gautam Buddha. So it is also called Buddha Ghat. It is believed that the Buddhist People used this ghats. There is one Tathagata Buddha (Bhagavan) statue situated in the Ghat campus.

Other

Cremation on ghats
Cremations in progress at Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi.

In the Hindu tradition, cremation is one of the rites of passage,[9] and the Ghats of Varanasi are considered one of the auspicious locations for this ritual.[7][9] At the time of the cremation or "last rites", a puja (prayer) is performed by one or more Hindu priests. Sacred hymns and mantras are recited during cremation to mark the ritual. The Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats are dedicated to the cremation ritual. Annually, less than 2 in 1000 people who die in India, or 25,000 to 30,000 bodies are cremated on various Varanasi Ghats; about an average of 80 per day.

Pollution of ghats

The practice of cremation in Varanasi has become controversial for the environmental pollution it causes to the River Ganges.[10] In the 1980s, the Government of India funded a Clean Ganges initiative in order to address cremation and other sources of water pollution along the Ghats of Varanasi. In many cases, the cremation is done elsewhere and only the ashes are dispersed into the river near these Ghats.[11] Furthermore, untreated sewage is a pervasive source of river pollution in India. City municipal waste and untreated sewage is the largest source of pollution of the River Ganges nearby the Ghats of Varanasi.[12][13]

References
  1. Rob Bowden (2003), The Ganges, ISBN 978-0739860700, Heinemann
  2. Shankar, Hari (1996). Kashi ke Ghat (1 ed.). Varanasi: Vishwvidyalaya Prakashan.
  3. Sunithi L. Narayan, Revathy Nagaswami, 1992, Discover sublime India: handbook for tourists, Page 5.
  4. Ghat definition, Cambridge dictionary.
  5. Warrier, Shrikala (2014). Kamandalu : the seven sacred rivers of Hinduism. London: Mayur University London. p. 59.
  6. Mishra, Rajnish (2017). Ghats of Varanasi (1 ed.). New Delhi. p. 51. ISBN 978-1521414323.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. Diana Eck, Banaras - City of Light, ISBN 978-0231114479, Columbia University Press
  8. Varanasi Guru (5 September 2020). "Manikarnika Kund" – via Varanasi Guru.
  9. McBride, Pete (7 August 2014). "The Pyres of Varanasi: Breaking the Cycle of Death and Rebirth". National Geographic. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society. ISSN 0027-9358. OCLC 643483454. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  10. S. Agarwal, Water pollution, ISBN 978-8176488327, APH Publishing
  11. Flood, Gavin: Rites of Passage, in Bowen, Paul (1998). Themes and issues in Hinduism. Cassell, London. ISBN 0-304-33851-6. pp. 270.
  12. O. Singh, Frontiers in Environmental Geography, ISBN 978-8170224624, pp 246-256
  13. "Ghats of Varanasi". Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
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