Ghats of Varanasi
Ghats of Varanasi are steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. Most of these Ghats use for bathing and Aarti ceremony, while two Ghats are used exclusively for cremation. These Ghats were made between 17-18th century by Marathas, Scandia’s, Holkars, Bhonsles, and Peshwas. Many Ghats are related to legends or mythologies while other Ghats are privately owned.
Morning boat ride on the Ganges across the Ghats is a popular tourist attraction. Ghat, a term used in the Indian subcontinent, to refer a range of stepped-hill such as the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats. Roads passing through Ghat are called Ghat Roads. If laundrymen clean cloths on the bank of the river it is known as Dhobi Ghat.
Varanasi has 84 ghats, these ghats are about 4 miles long on the bank of river Ganges. Five ghats in the 84 Ghats of Varanasi are considered very sacred. These are collectively called ‘Panchtirtha’. These are Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Panchganga Ghat and Adikeshv Ghat. Here is the list of all the ghats of Varanasi.
Assi Ghat
Assi Ghat is the southernmost Ghat in Varanasi. A lot of pilgrims bathe in Assi ghat after that paying their homage to Lord Shiva in the form of a huge lingam situated under a peepal tree. Assi Ghat is also known for being a place where students, long-term foreigner, researchers and tourists live.
Legend says that upon slaying the demons Shumbha-Nishumbha, Goddess Durga threw her sword away. Her sword fell on earth with full force creating a stream of a river, known as Assi River. Assi river meets in the Ganges close to Assi Ghat. Assi Ghat is today one of the most prominent ghats in Varanasi, and thousands of Hindu pilgrims take a holy dip here on important occasions like Grahan, Dussehra, Probodhoni Ekadashi, Makar Sankranti, etc.
Ganga Mahal Ghat: Next to Assi ghat the Narayan dynasty of Varanasi, constructed a palace in 1830 by the river Ganga in Varanasi. Since the palace was housed on the ghat, the ghat was named “Ganga Mahal Ghat”. Mahal means Palace.
Rewa Ghat: Next to Ganga Mahal Ghat ‘Rewa Ghat’ was built by Lala Misir a priest of the king of Punjab, Ranjeet Singh. The King of Rewa in 1879 bought this ghat so it is known as Rewa Ghat. This ghat was donated to Banaras Hindu University.
Tulsi Ghat: Next To Rewa Ghat Tulsi Ghat is named for Tulsidas (a saint and poet) who lived there while he wrote the Ramcharitmanas. Earlier, Tulsi Ghat was known as Lolark Ghat.
Bhadaini Ghat: Bhadaini Ghat, is also known as water supplying ghat of the city. The water pumping stations and water intake works tower is installed there.
Janaki Ghat: The word Janki means daughter of king Janak, i.e., Goddess Sita (of Ramayana). In 1870 AD, Maharani Kunwar of Bihar built this ghat.
Mata Anandamai Ghat: In 1944, Ma Anandmayi bought that area from the British and made it cemented in order to run an ashram which is involved in performing a number of religious & social activities.
Vaccharaja Ghat: This ghat got its name from a merchant Vaccharaja, who made it during the 18th century.
Jain Ghat: Earlier Jain Ghat of Varanasi become part of Vaccharaja Ghat. In 1931 Jain community made a ‘pucca’ ghat and named it as Jain Ghat. It is the birthplace for Suparshvanth, who was the Seventh Tirthankar of Jainism.
Nishad Ghat: Due to a large number of the people of Nishad (boatman) community live near this Ghat so it is called Nishad Ghat. One Nishad Raj Temple can be seen here which was made by the Nishad families.
Prabhu Ghat: This Ghat was made in the early 20th century by Nirmal Kumar (a Bengali person). Likewise the Nishadraj Ghat, families of Boatmen mostly lives here. Normally washermen wash clothes here.
Panchkota Ghat: This Ghat was built by the King of Panchkota(Bengal) in the 19th century. King also constructed a small palace on the top of the ghat and there are two Shiva temples adjacent to the building.
Chet Singh Ghat: Chet Singh (1770-1781) was the eldest son of Raja Balwant Singh built Chet Singh Ghat in mid the 18th century as a small fortress. This fortress went under the control of the British after the defeat of Chet Singh in 1781. In the late 19th century, King Prabhunarayan Singh had again taken the charge of this fort. The northern part of it was donated to Naga group of Sadhus who late on built their monasteries and ghats, called Niranjani Ghat and Nirvani Ghat.
Niranjani Ghat: This Ghat belongs to Naga Saints who installed Niranjani Akhara(monastery) in 1897. Now four temples containing paduka (footprints) of Niranjani Maharaj Durga Gauri Shankar and Ganga images are there.
Mahanirvani Ghat: It is situated on the north end of Niranjni Ghat. The famous Akhara of Mahanirvani sect of Naga Saints is situated here. It is legendary that Acharya Kapil Muni of Sankhya philosophy fame lived here during 7th cent. Mother Teresa’s Ashram is also situated Near Mahanirvani Akhara.
Shivala Ghat: There is a Shiva Temple situated in this Ghat so it is called Shivala Ghat. In 19th century king of Nepal, Sanjay Vikram Shah built a huge mansion here which is converted into a beautiful Hotel now.
Guleriya Ghat: Till early 20th-century Gullaria Ghat was the part of Dandi Ghat. According to the locals, this Ghat was named after a huge Gular tree. lt was constructed by a businessman named Laloo Ji Agrawal.
Dandi Ghat: There is a significant concentration of residence (math) of Dandi Swamis here in this Ghat due to which this ghat is named as Dandi Ghat. At the upper portion of the ghat, there are akharas (indigenous wrestling arena) and Shiva temple also.
Hanuman Ghat: The Hanuman Ghat was previously called Rameshwaram Ghat because it’s popularly believed that Lord Sri Ram created this Ghat together with his own hands. There is another well-known belief that the Vaishnavaite pilgrim called Vallabhacharya meditated up here for several years. He was preaching the glories of Lord Krishna to his followers by sitting at the Hanuman Ghat.
Karnataka Ghat: Built by the Maharaja of Mysore(Karnataka) in 1910. Several devotees from Karnataka visit here. A shrine committed to Ruru Bhairava, one of the eight Bhairavas, can be seen right here.
Harish Chandra Ghat: There was a legendary King Harishchandra, who spent his life as a keeper of a crematorium. It is believed that God rewarded him for his determination, charity, and truthfulness, by giving him back his dead son and his kingdom.
Besides Manikarnika Ghat, Harishchandra Ghat is another important cremation ghat in Varanasi. Many people bring the dead bodies of their near and dear ones to this ghat for cremation. In Hindu mythology, it is believed that a person whose cremation is performed here gets salvation (moksha). This ghat also has an electric/gas crematorium.
Lali Ghat: Ghat is said to be gaining its name from Laali Baba(saint) of Champaran, Bihar, who established Guddardas Akhara, an arena where wrestlers of kushti practice the art.
Vijaynagaram Ghat: In the latter 19th century Vigyanagaram king constructed a large building on the Ghat, that is why it’s called as Vijayanagar Ghat. In the latter 20th century, the position of the ghat via Maharaj turned into donated to the saint Sir Karpatri ji of the Kashi, wherein Karpattari lived within the residence.
Kedar Ghat: There is a Kedareswara (Shiva) Temple situated here so it is known as Kedar Ghat. This has great mythological importance and it is believed that those who visit this temple gets blessings the same as visiting Kedarnath Temple. Kedar Ghat has the Gauri Kund, a small water pool which has an image of Gauri, Lord Shiva’s wife in the eastern wall. It is said that the water in this kund has healing properties.
Chauki Ghat: This ghat is famous for the big pipal tree at the top of the Steps which shelters remarkable small stone figures of snakes, nagas.
Somesvera Ghat: There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Kshemeshwar Mahadev is situated here so this ghat is known Kshemeshwara or Somesvera Ghat. In ancient times, it was also known as Nala Ghat.
Mansarovar Ghat: The King of Amer Mansingh built this Ghat along with an adjacent pond Mansarovar Kund. It is believed, a dip in Mansarovar Ghat is as pious as taking a dip in the Mansarovar Lake of the Himalayas. In 1962, the upper part of the ghat was purchased by the Kumaraswamy Matt which has shrines and rest houses for pilgrims.
Narad Ghat: This was constructed by a monastery chief Dattatreya Swami in 1788. The legend says that anybody bathing along with spouse in Narad Ghat is not advised because of the myth of dispute between the couple in future.
Raja Ghat: This ghat was made by the Peshwa Amritrao of Pune in 1807. The south of Ghat has Annapurna Math and the northern part has a fortress. The Ghat was renovated in 1965, by the government of Uttar Pradesh. Every evening the Ganga Arti performed beautifully at the Annapurna Math.
Pandey Ghat: In 1805 a renowned wrestler of Bihar Babua Pandey who established the famous wrestling arena of Varanasi, called Akhada. Here the players perform an indigenous wrestling form called Kushti. Pandey Ghat was formerly called Sarveshwar Ghat, as of the Sarveshwara temple residing there.
Digpatia Ghat: This ghat was built by the King Digpatiya of Bengal, Digpatiya ghat was a part of Chausatti Ghat till 20th century. Now the beautiful building along the ghat is known as “Kashi Ashram”.
Chausatti Ghat: Above the ghat, there is a temple of Causatthi (64) Devi, but only 60 images of yoginis are there, the rest four are at different places. In 1670 King of Udaipur (Rajasthan) renovated this ghat. On the evening of Holi festival the start of Caitra-1, many locals visit this temple for pooja.
Rana Mahal Ghat: Rana Mahal Ghat was built in 1670 by a Rajput Chieftain and Maharana of Udaipur. It has a splendid form of Rajputana architecture.
Darbhanga Ghat: Darbhanga Ghat was named after the royal family of Darbhanga (Bihar). The palace of Darbhanga Ghat is made of sandstone of Chunar, with beautiful Greek pillars. Darbhanga palace was purchased by the Clarks Hotel Group, who named it as Brajrama Palace.
Munshi Ghat: The palatial building of Munshi Ghat is named after Sridhara Narayana Munshi, who was a finance minister in the estate of Nagpur. It was built in 1812.
Ahilyabai Ghat: Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Madhya Pradesh built this ghat in 1778. Since then it is known as Ahilyabai Ghat. It’s the first ghat of Varanasi which were named after someone.
Sitala Ghat: Mid 19th century, Shitala Mata Temple was built on the southern-most side of Dashashwamedh Ghat. In religious and cultural perspective, Shitala Mata temple has tremendous significance. Goddess Shitala save people from chickenpox and smallpox.
Prayag Ghat: Prayag Ghat was built by queen maharani H.K.Devi of Bengal in the 19th century. The popular belief of this ghat is that those who cannot go to Sangam(Allahabad) for bathing take bath here and get the same benefit.
Dasashwamed Ghat
Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the most famous and the most crowded ghat of Varanasi. Dasaswamedh means the sacrifice of ten horses. According to legends, ten horses were sacrificed by Lord Brahma at this very site to allow Lord Shiva to return from banishment. Because of this mythological story, the ghat became famous by the name of Dasaswamedh Ghat. Many Priests are seen on the ghat every day, performing religious rites along the banks of river Ganga.
The most significant attraction here is the grand Ganga Aarti which takes place here every evening, where thousands of spectators gather around to witness the spectacle. Thousands of earthen lamps are immersed in the waters of the holy Ganges after the Aarti, and the floating lamp illuminates the river creating a beautiful atmosphere.
Rajendra Prashad Ghat: In 1979 Rajendra Prasad ghat was renamed and made pucca with the aid of the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi in honour of the first president of India. In fact, this ghat becomes a northern extension of Dasasvamedha Ghat.
Man Mandir Ghat: Maharaja Man Singh of Amber made this palace in 1600. It has an interesting observatory (Jantar Mantar) on the roof which was built later in 1710 by Sawai Jai Singh II. The observatory was used to study the movement of the sun, moon, star and others.
Tripura Bhairavi Ghat: This ghat is named after the Tripura Bhairavi temple situated here. Another important temple of Varahi Devi, one of the eight mother-goddesses is also there. This Ghat is sacred for South Indian pilgrims.
Meer Ghat: This ghat was built by Mir Rustom Ali in 1735. This ghat is close to Shakti Peetha Vishalakshi and Baba Vishwanath Temple.
Nepali Ghat: The ghat was built in early 19th century by King of Nepal, Rana Bahadur Shah and is named after Hindu Goddess Lalita. This ghat has a beautiful wooden temple (pagoda-style architecture is a replica of Pashupatinath temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Lalita Ghat: The ghat was built in early 19th century by King of Nepal, Rana Bahadur Shah and is named after Hindu Goddess Lalita. This ghat has a beautiful wooden temple (pagoda-style architecture is a replica of Pashupatinath temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Jalasen Ghat: The name itself indicates “putting the dead body into the water” as part of the ritual before putting the corpse on the funeral pyre. According to legend Lord Shiva sleep in the deepwater of the Ganga at this ghat, that is how the name Jalashayi. Baldeodas Birla, who has built this ghat and a rest house for the attendants.
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat is the holiest and one of the oldest cremation ghats in Varanasi. According to Hindu mythology, the person cremated here achieves immediate liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Manikarnika Ghat lies at the centre of the five major Tirtha Sthals and symbolizes both creation and destruction.
Millions of people come down at this ghat to burn down the mortal remains of their dear ones and pray to the flames for eternal peace of the soul. Also present here is a sacred well called the Manikarnika Kund, which is believed to be dug by Lord Vishnu at the time of the creation of this world. The ashes of the burnt bodies make one remember the inevitable destruction of everything in the world here.
The legends: It is believed that the Lord Vishnu dug a pit using his Chakra and at the same time the earring (“Manikarnika”) of Lord Shiva had fallen into the pit created by the Lord Vishnu. According to the second legend, the Goddess Parvati (consort of Lord Shiva, Goddess Annapurna) hid her earrings and asked Lord Shiva to find them.
Scindhia Ghat: This ghat was built by Scindias in 1830. It is believed that Agni, the Hindu God of Fire, was born here. Scindia Ghat is famous for a partly submerged Shiva temple. Built by Baija Bai, the temple is over 150 year old and got submerged into the water due to its weight.
Sankatha Ghat: Sankata Ghat of Varanasi, named after Sankata Devi Temple. Goddess Sankata is believed to be one of the manifestations of Goddess Chandi and also a sister of Vaishno Devi. The ghat and the temple made by the widow of Beniram Pandit in 1825.
Ganga Mahal Ghat: In 1864 Gwalior Maharaj Jayajirao Scindia purchased the Ghat and constructed a Grand Palace. Due to the presence of Mahal at a bank of River Ganga, this is named as Ganga Mahal Ghat. This Mahal is famous for its architecture and art.
Bhonsale Ghat: Bhonsale Ghat was made in 1780 by Maratha king Bhonsale of Nagpur. It is a beautiful stone building with small artistic windows at the top.
Guleriya Ghat:
Ganesha Ghat: In 1807 Amrit Rao Peshwa of Puna made the Ghat and also got the construction of Amrit Vinayak temple. As the Amrit Vinayak (Ganesh) temple is established the Ghat is named as Ganesh Ghat.
Mehta Ghat: In 1960 a resident of Kolkata Ballabh Ram Shaligram Mehta had purchased the land and constructed the Ghat and a hospital (1962) here.
Ram Ghat: Raja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur has constructed Ghat and Ram Panchayatan temple at Ghat. Because of Ram temple is situated here so the Ghat is named as Ram Ghat.
Jatara Ghat: Jatar Ghat was made in the mid 1800’s by the finance secretary of the Gwalior Estate, Balaji Cimadaji Jatar.
Gwalior Ghat: King of Gwalior Jayajirao Scindia built Ghat and palace at Ghat so the Ghat was named as Gwalior Ghat. Earlier this was the part of present Jatar Ghat.
Mangla Gauri/ Bala Ghat: The palatial building along the ghat was made by Peshva Raghoba ‘Balaji’ in 1735, after whom this is known as Balaji Ghat. As it has a Mangala (goddess of auspiciousness) Gauri temple is also known as Mangla Gauri ghat.
Venimadhava Ghat: This is the southern part of the Panchganga Ghat and named after the famous temple of Veni Madhava (Lord Vishnu), the Hindu temple built by Raja Man Singh of Amber in 16 Century, it was demolished when the emperor Aurangzeb had captured Banaras and razed the temple. Aurangzeb then made a mosque over the ruins of the temple in 1669 and named it as Alamgir (his own title) Mosque.
Panchganga Ghat:
Panchganga Ghat is called so because it is built on the confluence of five holy rivers—Ganga, Saraswati, Dhupapapa, Yamuna and Kirna. Out of these five only Ganga remains visible while the other four are believed to have disappeared in the earth. Panchganga Ghat is also known for three historical reasons.
1. Sant Tulsidas, the creator of Ramayana, produced his famous literary work, “Vinay-Patrika”, here while he stayed at this place.
2. It was here that the great teacher and scholar of Vedas, Swami Ramanand, taught his disciples.
3. Mughal Aurangzeb destroyed a revered Vishnu temple built by a Maratha chieftain, Beni Madhavrao Scindia, and built the Alamgir Mosque here instead.
Durga Ghat: Due to presence of Brahmacharini Durga Temple on this Ghat, it was named as Durga Ghat. Durga Ghat was built by Narayan Dikshit, (a saint) in 1772.
Brahma Ghat: When Lord Brahma had visited Kashi, then Lord Brahma had made this place as his residence, that’s why it is named as Brahma Ghat. This ghat was also built by Narayan Dikshit.
Bundi Parakota Ghat: As the King of Bundi (Rajasthan) Maharaj Rao Surjan had Built Ghat and the palace on Ghat it is known as Bundi Parkota Ghat.
Adi Sitla Ghat(II): In the second half of 19th century King of Bundi, Raja Rao Pritam Singh reconstructed Sheetla Ghat (Second) after which the Ghat was divided into Bundi Parakota Ghat and Sheetla Ghats.
Lal Ghat: King of Tijara (Rajasthan) had constructed this ghat but later In 1935 Raja Baldeo Das Birla had purchased the Ghat and adjacent Mahal for his residence and developed this ghat.
Hanumanagardhi Ghat: Baba Shyamaldas from Bihar used to stay on Ghat. In 1950 he had built Hanuman temple on the Ghat, due to which the Ghat is named as Hanuman Garhi Ghat.
Gai Ghat: It is believed that one can get rid of the curse of killing cows (Gau Hathya) by taking bath at this Ghat. This is why the ghat is named as Gaay/Gai Ghat.
Badri Narayana Ghat: Due to Badrinarayan (replica of the Badrinath) temple situated here, the Ghat is known as Badrinarayan Ghat.
Trilochan Ghat: Due to the presence of Trilochan Mahadev temple in the Ghat region, this Ghat is known as Trilochan Ghat. Ghat is dedicated to the third eye of Lord Shiva, Narmada and Pippila rivers merge (Sangam) into Ganga river at this Ghat.
Gola Ghat: According to locals, earlier Galla/Galla Mandi (centre of sale-purchase of grain) used to be placed at the upper part of Ghat so this Ghat is named as Gola Ghat.
Nandesvara Ghat: Nandeshwar Ghat named on a small temple of Nandeshwar Shiva which is located here. Popular ghat in Varanasi for films, documentaries and short movies.
Sakka Ghat: Local people call this Ghat as Sakka Ghat. Whereas in 1868 Wax had defined the ghat as Babu Suka Ghat. Hardasram Sewa Ashram is situated in the above portion of Ghat.
Telianala Ghat: According to legends the majority of an oil-pressing community (Teli) settled along the nearby ancient drain (Nala) has assumed the name of a ghat, Telianala. The old drain was closed in 1988. Presently the ghat is occupied by washermen for cleaning the cloths.
Rani Ghat: In 1937, a beautiful building named Janaki Kunj was built over the ghat by Rani Muniya Sahiba of Itauja, Lucknow. After which this ghat became known as Rani Ghat.
Prahalad Ghat: It is believed that nearby to the Ghat Lord Vishnu had saved his devotee Prahalad from his father Hiranyakashya. Due to this incident Ghat was named as Prahalad Ghat. Every year five-day Narsingh Mela is being organized here.
Bhaisasur/ Raj Ghat: In ancient time Kings of Kashi used to live nearby to this ghat. As kings used to reside in this area so the Ghat was named as Raj Ghat. There is an existence of Mahishasur Temple on the ghat, few people also call it as Mahishasur ghat.
Adi Keshava Ghat: Located at the junction of Ganga and Varuna rivers, Adi Keshava Ghat holds immense religious and historical importance. Adi Keshav Vishnu Temple is the holy shrine that governs this site and attracts pilgrims in substantial numbers who wish to offer their prayers to Adi Keshav, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is also amongst the most distinct Vishnu temples in the city as it is the only one which holds a Shiva Lingam even though it belongs to Lord Vishnu.