Holy Ghats of Benaras (Varanasi) on river Ganga

The city of Benaras or Varanasi or Kashi has always had religious and spiritual significance in ancient India. The city is on the banks of the Holy River Ganga (Ganges). The banks of river Ganga has steps leading to the river. These river front steps are called as "Ghats". The city has a total of 87 Ghats which are used for bathing in the river, religious ceremonies and even cremation rituals. People often use these Ghats to ride a boat over the river Ganga. This boat ride takes you from Dasaswamedh Ghat to Harishchandra Ghat. One can also walk across different Ghats since the water levels are constantly low.

Benaras Ghat
Piligrims taking holy bath

Below is a list of all the Ghats in benaras - 

• Mata Anandamai Ghat
• Assi Ghat
• Ahilya Ghat
• Adi Keshava Ghat
• Ahilyabai Ghat
• Badri Nayarana Ghat
• Bajirao Ghat
• Bauli /Umaraogiri / Amroha Ghat
• Bhadaini Ghat
• Bhonsale Ghat
• Brahma Ghat
• Bundi Parakota Ghat
• Chaowki Ghat
• Chausatthi Ghat
• Cheta Singh Ghat
• Dandi Ghat
• Darabhanga Ghat
• Dashashwamedh Ghat
• Digpatia Ghat
• Durga Ghat
• Ganga Mahal Ghat (I)
• Ganga Mahal Ghat (II)
• Gaay Ghat
• Gauri Shankar Ghat
• Genesha Ghat
• Gola Ghat
• Gularia Ghat
• Hanuman Ghat
• Hanumanagardhi Ghat
• Harish Chandra Ghat
• Jain Ghat
• Jalasayi Ghat
• Janaki Ghat
• Jatara Ghat
• Karnataka State Ghat
• Kedar Ghat
• Khirkia Ghat
• Shri Guru Ravidass Ghat
• Khori Ghat
• Lala Ghat
• Lali Ghat
• Lalita Ghat
• Mahanirvani Ghat
• Mana Mandira Ghat
• Manasarovar Ghat
• Mangala Gauri Ghat
• Manikarnika Ghat
• Mehta Ghat
• Meer Ghat
• Munshi Ghat
• Nandesavara Ghat
• Narada Ghat
• Naya Ghat
• Nepali Ghat
• Niranjani Ghat
• Nishad Ghat
• Old Hanumanana Ghat
• Pancaganga Ghat
• Panchkota
• Pandey Ghat
• Phuta Ghat
• Prabhu Ghat
• Prahalada Ghat
• Prayaga Ghat
• Raj Ghat built by Peshwa Amrutrao
• Raja Ghat / Lord Duffrin bridge / Malaviya Bridge
• Raja Gwalior Ghat
• Rajendra Prasad Ghat
• Ram Ghat
• Rana Mahala Ghat
• Rewan Ghat
• Sakka Ghat
• Sankatha Ghat
• Sarvesvara Ghat
• Scindia Ghat
• Shivala Ghat
• Shitala Ghat
• Sitala Ghat
• Samne Ghat
• Somesvara Ghat
• Telianala Ghat
• Trilochana Ghat
• Tripura Bhairavi Ghat
• Tulsi Ghat
• Vaccharaja Ghat
• Venimadhava Ghat
• Vijayanagaram Ghat

                                          

Some of the ghats are known from the time of Puranas. Some of these ghats have been dated to the 17th century. Most of these ghats have been created during the reign of the Marathas, Scindias, Holkars and Peshwas. The families are still patrons of some of the Ghats. A few Ghats are also privately owned.

Ganga Aarti

Not only are these Ghats used for spiritual and religious enlightenment, they are extremely popular tourist attractions. Throngs of photographers visit this place from all over the world.

Pilgrims and Yogis come here during early morning to perform their morning Pujas during sunrise. At sunset a maha aarti (river worship) takes place. This grand ceremony is held at the Dhashashwamedh Ghat.

Let us look into details some of the well known Ghats of Benaras:-

                      

Clockwise from top

Manikarnika Ghat

Dashashwamedha Ghat

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport

Tibetan Temple in Sarnath

Banaras Hindu University

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Dasaswamedh Ghat - It would not be wrong to say that this is the most famous Ghat in the city. It is considered the oldest Ghat and the Ganga Aarti takes place here. 

Manikarnika Ghat - This Ghat is also known as the burning Ghat since cremation rituals are held here. It is believed that the fire at this Ghat has been constantly burning since 2500 years.

                   

Harish Chandra Ghat - This Ghat is named after the king Harish Chandra who resolved to always speak the truth. Devotees believe that if one is cremated here, he/she attaines Moksha (salvation). This Ghat is also known as "Adi Manikarnika"

Assi Ghat - This Ghat is at the furthest south corner where the river Assi meets river ganga. There is a peepal (Ficus religiosa) tree underneath which is a shiva lingam. This is a highly visited place and people are seen worshiping Lord Shiva.

Tulsi Ghat - This Ghat is named after the famous poet and saint Tulsidaas. In the hindu month of Kartik (Oct-nov), a krishna worship ceremony is held here.

Chet Singh Ghat - This is the place where Maharaja Chet Singh fought the Britishers in the 18th century.

Darbhanga Ghat - A perfect example of great architecture is the Darbhanga Ghatwhich has a palace that was built in 1990s by the royal family of Bihar. Next to it is Munshi Ghat that was built in 1912 by the then finance minister of Bihar Narayan Munshi.

Man Mandir Ghat - Maharaja Maan Singh of Jaipur built this Ghat in 1600s. This Ghat has a palace that shows full blown Rajput architecture. Sawai Jaisingh II added an astronomy observatory in 1730.

Scindia Ghat - Although this Ghat is near the burning Manikarnika Ghat, it is a calm and peaceful place. It is under the patronage of the Scindia's (Shinde). The biggest attraction here is a Shiva temple which is partially submereged in water.

Bhosale Ghat - This Ghat houses a imposing looking stone building that is distinctive of the Maratha style.

Dattatreya Ghat - This Ghat is well known for housing the footprint of a Brahmin saint whose name was Dattatreya. There is a small temple for the saint nearby.

Panchganga Ghat - This is the place where five rivers Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Kirana, and Dhutapapa meet. This place is well known for the Alamgir mosque that was built by Aurangzeb.

Raj Ghat - This place is also known as Adi Keshava Ghat because it is home to the Adi Keshav Vishnu mandir.  It is said that Shree Vishnu first landed here in Benaras.

Besides these, there are other famous Ghats like Kedar Ghat, Mansarovar Ghat, Mir Ghat , Lalita Ghat etc. It is impossible to explain about each Ghat and its significance in any article. Visitors and devotees are encouraged to visit these Ghats and experience their beauty,wonderful ambience, lights and the colorful crowd. For people interested in Soul searching or Spirituality or even hobby photographers; the Benaras Ghats have something to offer for everyone.

Major festivals - The Ganga festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated here. Chath Puja (Sun god worship) rituals include fasting and praying to the sun while standing in the water. During the hindu festival months (Sep-Nov), these Ghats draw in huge crowds. Raam Navami, Dassera, Diwali, Shivratri and Karthik Purnima are also big ceremonies here.

How to Reach

• By Train - Benaras is well connected on the railway line with all the major cities of the country. Major railways stations are Benaras Junction, Mughal Sarai and Manduadih.
• By Air - The nearby airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport
• By Road - Travel operators and state transport buses run at scheduled times. Visitors can take a tuk-tuk from the bus station to the banks of Ganga.

Nearby Sights

• Temples like - Gauri Maata temple, Kaal Bhairav temple, Durga temple, Saarnath temple
• Benaras Hindu University
• Chunar fort
• Raamnagar Fort

Content By Ananya