Ghats of Varanasi

Of the innumerable practices that Hinduism includes, it places great importance on water. The term Hindu itself is derived from Hind, the Persian translation of the river Indus. The infinite cycle of birth and rebirth until one has fulfilled their destiny and karma, is central to this religion. The means to get out of this vicious cycle of being born and reborn based on your deeds is to attain purity and eventually moksha. Thus, water has been integrated into many rituals and practices within Hinduism.

It only makes sense that Varanasi, the city of ghats on the river Ganges is perhaps one of the most sought after places for cremations. It is believed that if dipped in the river at the ghats of Varanasi, one rids oneself from all their sins, thus attaining moksha.

There are almost 100 ghats in Varanasi along the river Ganges that are mainly used for puja rituals and bathing. Of the 100, around 25 are widely popular among tourists. The ghats adorn the edges of the river like an intricate necklace. While the city is flooded with a constant crowd of locals, tourists, foreigners and students, Assi Ghat provides a place of peace and tranquility, away from the heart of the city. It is the southernmost ghat situated at the confluence of river Assi and Ganges. Worshippers of Lord Shiva bathe here and offer their prayers to the lingam erected in His name.

The Manikarnika Ghat, or simply put the burning ghat, is solely for this purpose. Throughout the day a thick black smoke rises from here as bodies are burnt and cremated continuously. Two thirds of the total number of cremations is held here, while the rest are held at the Harishchandra Ghat. A sight of this tradition truly makes one see life coming full circle, and how common an event death is.

Dasaswamedh Ghat is the heart and soul of all ghats. It comes to life every evening when a vibrant crowd makes its way towards the ghat for the daily Ganga aarti. It is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma ‘created’ Lord Shiva and welcomed him. And it is here, as is believed, that Lord Brahma sacrificed horses as part of a yagna to the sacred fire.

However, there is another side to Varanasi beyond its religious significance. The Darbhanga Ghat is the most photogenic of all, and also responsible for the commercialisation of the city. It is one of the most visually appealing and architecturally superior in the fray. The royal family of Bihar got it constructed in the early 1900s, along with a beautiful palace, which has now been converted into a hotel.

Each of these ghats has an interesting history attached to it. One of them is the Chet Singh Ghat. It was the battle ground for the war waged between Maharaja Chet Singh, ruler of Varanasi and the first British governor of India, Warren Hastings. Unfortunately, he was defeated by the British and had to resort to escaping.

Every ghat of Varanasi has a story attached to it, these are only a few. They breathe life into this vibrant and chaotic city; Varanasi wouldn’t be Varanasi without its ghats.

Best Location To Stay In Varanasi With Family

The city of temples, Varanasi is popular for a wide range of things – from exquisite ghats to elegant ethnic Banarasi saris to the famous Banarasi Paan. It is, hence, hardly an enigma why this holy city is visited by thousands of vacationers all the year round. Given below is a list of famous places where you can stay when you are in Varanasi.

  • Darbhanga Ghat

A beauty in itself, the picturesque Darbhanga Ghat is known for its gorgeous sandstone structure. Additionally, it is lined with a number of stunning hotels. However, it has one hotel, which particularly stands out vis-à-vis the others. This accommodation offers a royal treatment to its guests for whom budget is not an issue. This place was originally a fort, which was built in 1812 by a Maratha Minister. This building is among the oldest ones present in the city. Another interesting fact about this marvelous hotel is that it is located just off the Dasaswamedh Ghat, which is famous for its grand Ganga Aarti in the evening.

  • Shivali Ghat

Overlooking the placid waters of river Ganga, this busy ghat is enveloped by quite a few decent hotels. While some of them are pocket friendly for travelers, some of the others are opulent hotels for those who can afford to splurge money. One such hotel, which is definitely worth a visit, is known to have belonged to the Royal Family of Nepal in the early 20th century. It is a boutique hotel, which has 14 guestrooms adorned by chic upholstery and modern facilities designed to maximize the experience of the guests.

  • Dasaswamedh Ghat

Legend has it that this captivating place was brought into existence by Lord Brahma to welcome Lord Shiva. This is what allures numerous visitors to this ghat each day. Once you take a stroll along this ghat, you can drop by at one of the various hotels that are lined here. Abuzz with activities, the various hotels are at indeed a good location offering pleasing views of the cityscape.

  • Hanuman Ghat

Adorned by an array of restaurants and hotels, Hanuman Ghat, or Rameshwaram Ghat as it was formerly known, is a beautiful destination. As per popular belief, it was built by Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (one of the central deities of Hinduism), for his ardent disciple Hanuman. Besides having a temple of Lord Hanuman and one dedicated to Tulsi Das, this area has boulevards housing some of the best hotels in town.