Varanasi diaries – mesmerising ghats

The name varanasi is synonyms with images of ghats. Google Varanasi and images of ghats flash. There is a big difference in seeing images on the net and actually seeing them. The view is mesmerising, All ghats are connected and one can take a long walk or view them thru a boat ride. As such there are around 84 ghats but the main ones are inbetween Dashashwamedh ghat to Assi ghat.

River Ganga is the holiest of rivers of India. It has been given a Mother-God status and it is believed that River Ganga or Maa Ganga  was sent to Earth to nourish civilisations, which it has done since thousands of years.

Varanasi is considered pure because of its contact with River Ganga. Ghats were made to connect a city with water. Ghats are nothing but stairs leading to water. Ghats were used for ceremonial purposes or for bathing etc.

Varanasi being the oldest living city on Earth today, with a history of more than 6000 years, there are many mythological stories , one of which is, that ghats were made to welcome Lord Shiva. Varanasi is known as the city of Lord Shiva.

Walking along ghats starting from Dashashwamedh ghat to Assi ghat is an experience. Watching them thru a boat ride is mesmerising. Watching them in daytime and at night when they are illuminated, both give equally mesmerising different views.

When you try to know the history of any place , the journey becomes more fulfilling. Following are the photographs of ghats that I took during day ride as well as evening ride and hope you will like it.

Dashashwamedh Ghat

It is the most famous ghat of Varanasi and as the story goes, Lord Vishnu constructed this ghat to welcome Lord Shiva to Varanasi. It is said that 10 horses were sacrificed for the same and hence its name. This ghat is nearest to Kashi Vishwanath temple.

As sun goes down, people line up for the aarti or prayer. In our belief, we start our mornings with prayers seeking blessings and we end the day with prayers, thanking God for everything

ASSI GHAT

The other end is the famous Assi ghat. According to mythological tale, Goddess Durga, after killing demons Shumba- Nishumba, threw her sword and where it landed, river Assi emerged. At this ghat, river Assi merges with river Ganga

Saint Tulsidas, wrote one of the most sacred books in hindu religon- Ram Charitra Manas in a cave near this ghat and then left his body for heavenly abode in 1680. AD on this ghat itself.

People come here for scenic beauty, street food, evening aarti or prayers, for just sitting on stairs and feeling peace and for morning yoga and morning aarti

.Bhonsale Ghat

This ghat was made in 1780 by Bhosale family during rule of Maratha empire. During reign of King Aurangzeb, there was mass scale destruction of temples and ghats. Maratha empire drove away Aurangzeb from Varanasi and most of the ghats were rebuilt then.

Chet Singh Ghat

This ghat and fortress behind was made by Raja Balwant Singh, founder of present Kashi state ( Varanasi). Chet Singh was son of Raja Balwant Singh who later took over the throne of Varanasi after his father.

This ghat has witnessed a fierce battle in 1781 AD between Raja Balwant Singh and British troops. Raja Chet Singh lost the battle.

Ganesh Ghat

This ghat was constructed in 18th century by Pune’s Amritrao Peshwa and dedictaed to Lord Ganesha

Reva Ghat

The lighting makes all the difference. This ghat was purchased by King Rewa in 1879 and residential quarters were built. Later it was donated to Banaras Hindu University. Presently it houses students of performing and Visual arts.

Manikarnika ghat

This is one of the oldest ghats of varanasi. This ghat gets mentioned in ancient scriptures. While all the ghats are used for bathing and prayers, there are two ghats – manikarnika being one of them, where cremation is done. It is said that person who gets cremated here attains moksha or liberation from the cycles of birth and death.

According to a story, Goddess Sati sacrificed her life and Lord Vishnu’s chakra cut her body into 51 peices. Wherever the body parts fell on earth, we call a shaktipeeth. Earrings fell here and hence Manikarnika ghat

Janaki ghat

It looks beautiful under illumination. This ghat was constructed in 1870 by queen of Sursund, Rani Kunwar, who dedicated it to Goddess Sita. This is one of the longest and most peaceful of ghats.

Panchganga Ghat

This ghat looks beautiful at night under various colors of illumination. This is one of the oldest and important ghats. It is believed to have been made by Rishi Bhrigu during the times of Mahabharata. 5 rivers- Ganga, Saraswati, Dhupapapa, Yamuna and Kirana are supposed to have converged here and it is said that person who takes dip here , washes away all his sins.

Raja Ghat

More than pilgimage, this ghat attracts archeologists, who have found evidences around this place which indicate a confluence of art and culture of an era dating back to 8th century B.C

Ganga Mahal Ghat

This ghat was constructed in 1830 by Narayan dynasty and built to house the palace of Banaras state.

Jatar Ghat

This ghat was made somewhere in 1800s by finance secretary of Gwalior state, Balaji Cimadaji Jatar.

Scindia Ghat

This ghat was built by Scindias in 1830. It is believed that God of Fire- Agni was born here. This ghat is famous for sinking temple built 150 years ago

Kumiko House

Kumiko house is actually a hotel now run by a japanese couple. It is situated on Pandey ghat, named after a famous wrestler Babua Pandey, who established famous akhada or arena in Varanasi. A dhobi ( wahermen) ghat is nearby where washermen used to wash clothes.

Munshi Ghat

This ghat has been dedicated to the memory of one of the greatest writers of hindi literature- Munshi PremChand. He lived in Varanasi.

Chausatti Ghat

Chausat in hindi means 64. The name of this ghat originated fro a temple nearby which house 64 Hindu dieties.

Jain Ghat

Jainism began to blossom along with Buddhism in around 6th century BC. Vachcharaj was a Jain banker who contributed a lot to establish Varanasi as a centre of trade. This ghat houses a Digambar Jain temple and is visited by Jain believers in large numbers.

Footnote

People visit Varanasi for its Vibes. One has to visit to feel. All the photos have been clicked by me and for history, multiple sources have been tapped.

Ghats are best viewed on a boat ride. Take boat ride at both the times of the day. During day, hot sun, majestic river, rustic view of ghats fills you with mesmerising hyponitism, while a boat ride after dusk, when sun goes down, gives a beautiful view under colorful lights and cool air fills your mind with peace and serenity . Choose not to pay attention to the chattering noise around due to scores of people but focus on the connection between yourself and history, spritualism, God – the creator and supreme force.