Significance of famous Ghats of Varanasi

In Varanasi, there are so many Ghats but some of them are very famous, some Ghats are mainly for performing pujas & religious ceremonies while on the other hand there are Ghats which are mainly for cremation. It can be quite difficult for you to see all the 87 Ghats but instead of that, a good way is to get a view of these Ghats is on a boat. Let us look at some of the prominent Ghats of Varanasi.

• Dashashwamedh Ghat : This ghat is the most important and the most famous ghat, this is the auspicious & the busiest one According to mythology it is believed that Ashwamedh Yagna was performed by  Lord Brahma as he sacrificed 10 horses for the ritual, That’s why the ghat is named as Dash meaning 10 and ashwa meaning horse (Dashashwamedh).

 This ghat is also famous for its evening aarti, The Arti is dedicated to River Ganga, Surya – the setting sun, Agni – the fire, and Lord Shiva.
 

• Assi ghat The southernmost Assi ghat in Varanasi is Named after the Assi River. According to mythology, It is believed that after killing Shumbha-Nishumbha Goddess Durga, threw down her sword at the Assi stream, Here the River Ganga & Assi River meanders and meets with each other. This ghat is also described as “Saimbeda Tirtha” which means that one who dips in the Ganga here once in his lifetime will get the blessings of all the Hindu Tirthas, the ghat is also, famous for the morning Aarti known as the Subah-e-Banaras. 
• Manikarnika Ghat : This ghat is the most important ghat which is mainly for the cremation in Varanasi. at the beginning of Satya Yug, Lord Vishnu prayed to Lord Shiva at Anand Vana, for a long time so that Lord Shiva does not destroy Kashi while he destroyed the world. Lord Shiva gave the boon of eternal peace to Kashi as he was pleased by the earnest request of Lord Vishnu. 

Goddess Vishnu dug a pond or Kund at that place with his Sudarshan Chakra for goddess Shiva and Goddess Parvati. So, While having a bath in the Kund, a Mani (jewel) from his earring fell into the pond, since then the Ghat was named Manikarnika Ghat, some people also believe that the earring of Sati fell at that place after she gave up her life. Because of which this ghat is considered the holiest place for the last rites. Performing the last rites of any person at Manikarnika ghat will provide Moksha and he/she is liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

• Raja Harishchandra ghat : This ghat is one of the oldest and auspicious ghats, it is believed that Raja Harishchandra, the honest king who only spoke truth served at the ghat as a ‘dom’ (the person who cremates the dead bodies), doms at the ghat are the keeper of the sacred fire that is never allowed to die down. Also, the first fire to light the funeral is taken from that eternal sacred fire. one can always see at least three or four pyres burning at the ghats all day and night.

 
 
 
 
 
 

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