One of the oldest living city in the world, Varanasi is called by different names, some call it Banaras, others call it Kashi. But, the official name is Varanasi which is also known as the city of Ghats.
Each Ghat of Varanasi is used for different purposes, some Ghats used for Worships and kinds of stuff, some are used as a cremation ground and some are used for bathing purposes in the holy Ganges river.
Some Ghats in Varanasi may bring happiness to your face while some of them will surely bring tears to your eyes. But, accepting all the facts is the major takeaway from this city. So, I have presented some of the most famous Ghats of Varanasi, have a look, and plan your itinerary now.
1. Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat is the oldest and most famous Ghat of Varanasi among other 88 Ghats. Visiting this Ghat should be on the top priority list while planning your trip to Varanasi.
The famous Ganga aarti (venerate of river Ganga) of Varanasi is performed every day in the evening for nearly 1 hour on Dashashwamedh Ghat which will not fail to give you some spectacular views.
Dashashwamedh Ghat gets its name from tales of Lord Brahma which says that on this Ghat he sacrificed 10 horses. If we calculate the meaning of Dashashwamedh, Dash means 10, ashwa means horses, medh means sacrifice.
The famous Shri Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi is near Dashashwamedh Ghat, where people in the morning take a dip into the holy Ganga river and head straight towards the temple for the worship and starting of the day in Varanasi.
2. Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat is the cremation place for the Hindus near the holy Ganga river. At this Ghat dead bodies are burned to ashes and flushed away into the Ganga river.
Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat are the two Ghats that are dedicated to the cremation ground. Also, know as the burning Ghat of Varanasi where fires of burning bodies never stop.
It is believed that if the dead are cremated here, then they are freed from the cycle of rebirth and attain salvation (moksha). That is why people from all over the country come to spend the last days of their lives in Varanasi.
Manikarnika Ghat gets its name from a tale of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati, which tells that his wife hid the earrings here in this ghat and asked Shiva to find them so that Shiva would settle here forever as the Vishwanath of Kashi. So, when the dead are cremated here Lord Shiva himself asks them about the earrings and hence devils have no power to send the person into hell as Shiva is with them.
3. Tulsi Ghat
Tulsi ghat is named after the famous poet of India Tulsidas, who lived here on the riverfront of Ganga river. Goswami Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas, an Awadhi version of Ramayana by sitting on this Ghat.
Previously, the name of the Ghat was Lolark ghat where peoples gather to celebrate a festival named Lolark Sasthi and worship Lord Rama by taking a dip into the holy river of Ganga.
You can visit this Ghat if you are truly a lover of history and tradition. The original Ramcharitmanas was also preserved in the house of Goswami Tulsidas situated at this house. Don’t forget to visit this house too, you will be astounded by the ambiance.
4. Assi Ghat
Assi Ghat is the most chill-out place in the whole chaotic city of Varanasi. Amid lots of cafes and restaurants, people come here to spend some time with their loved ones or if you are a solo traveler then this place is also good for you.
Assi ghat is famous for two reasons, the main reason it is famous because the famous Subah-E-Banaras ceremony followed by Ganga aarti (venerate of river Ganga) and Yoga sessions are performed on this Ghat in the early morning before sunrise. The other reason it is famous because it is the edge point where river Assi meets with river Ganges.
If you are a religious person then Assi ghat is good for you and if you are not a religious type of person like me then also Assi Ghat is good for you as you can visit various cafes and restaurant to have some foods, explore other activities or you can take a boat ride in the river Ganges too.
The cost of a whole motorboat ride would be Rs 200 to cross the river Ganges and not more than Rs 400 to explore nearly all the major Ghats of Varanasi, from Assi Ghat to Manikarnika Ghat and return.
5. Chet Singh Ghat
Chet Singh Ghat holds a strong significance in the history of Varanasi. This ghat witnessed a great battle between the army of Raja Chet Singh and the Army of Britishers in 1781 AD. In this battle, Raja Chet was defeated and the British army captured the Ghat.
Chet Singh fort is also known as Khirki fort, situated on the Ghat always opened for the tourist. There are no entry fees and time limits for visiting this fort, anyone can visit it free of cost to get some scenic view of the fort as well as the mesmerizing view of the Ganges river from the top of the fort.
Chet Singh Ghat is a peaceful Ghat as compared to other Ghats of Varanasi and you would find very less crowd on this Ghat. This Ghat got its name after the name of brave ruler Raja Chet Singh.
Conclusion
All the Ghats of Varanasi holds their own value and significance. It is true that we can not visit all of them in single a day and explore it to the full extent but some of the most important Ghats of Varanasi can be visited on a single day and that is why I have listed some of the major must-visits Ghats only in the above pointers.
The beauty of Ghats of Varanasi is such that it will show you the complete truth of life from venerating at some ghats while cremating at the other ghat.
If you visit all of the Ghats that are listed in the above article then surely you will have great tales to tell to your friends and family when you will leave Varanasi. Explore other Ghats of Varanasi and tell me in the comment down below why you loved that particular ghat?
