Varanasi – Religious & Spiritual Hubs

In the 19th and 20th century AD, there was a tradition in India where rulers and wealthy individuals from various parts of the country would build permanent structures on the riverbanks, such as buildings, temples, ashrams, and dharma shalas. During this period, in addition to Varanasi, rulers from Pune, Indore, Nagpur, Rajasthan, Bihar (including the states of Sursand, Bhabua, and Darbhanga), Madhya Pradesh (including Rewa and Gwalior), Gujarat (including Baroda), Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bengal, and Nepal contributed significantly to the construction work. In the first half of the 20th century AD, industrialists like Birla (at Lal

ghati and Tulsi Ghat) and Dalmia (in the southern part of Gayghat) also contributed to the construction and reconstruction of ghats. Most of them not only constructed ghats but also built dharma shalas, palaces, buildings, schools, and hospitals on them.

At present, the ghats spread from Asi to Adikeshav and are symbols of independent existence and syncretic religious-cultural consciousness, where the ancient Vedic tradition and the present materialistic life i.e. the entire life of Kashi can be seen in an embodied form. Along with local bathers, the presence of Hindu pilgrims from all over India, tourists from India and abroad, priests and all other sections of the society can be seen at these ghats.

On the ghats of Kashi, on one hand, festivals related to birth. marriage, thread ceremony, and other auspicious ceremonies (such as Asi, Kedarnath, Sheetla, Dashashwamedh, Prayag, Manikarnika, Sindhiya, Balaji, Durga, Brahma, and Gayghat and Prahllad Ghat, etc.) are celebrated, while on the other hand, the final rites are performed at Harishchandra and Manikarnika ghats after death, and pind daan is also performed, in which people from various religious and cultural communities of Kashi and also from outside Kashi participate.

Assi Ghat

On the ghats, there are many daily bathers, but the months of Chaitra (March/April) and Magh (January/February) are considered to be the most auspicious for bathing. The number of bathers is highest during festivals such as Surya Chandra Grahan, Gangadashahara, Prabodhani Ekadashi, Makar Sankranti, and Mauni Amavasya. There are seven major temples built between 18th to 20th century AD (early) at the ghat and the area adjacent to the ghat, out of which four belong to Vaishnava and three to Shaivism. From November 24, 2014, the continuous journey of “Subah-e-Banaar” has been started by the District Cultural Committee, Varanasi. In the morning at sunrise, Subah-e-Banaras is an organ of spiritual consciousness, in which the aarti of Mani, Vedic mantras, Kriya Yoga and classical music are worshiped on the rising day.

Ganga mahal Ghat (First)

Ganga mahal ghat is adjacent to the northern boundary of Asi ghat. On the ghat there is a huge building (Ganga mahal B. 2/1) built by Former Kashi Naresh Prabhu narayan Singh, after whom the ghat is named

Rewa Ghat

Rewa ghat is adjacent to the northers boundary of Ganga mahal ghat. Its ancient name was Lala misir ghat. The ghat and the huge palace situated at the ghat were built by Lala misir, the priest of King Ranjit Singh of Punjab.

Tulsi Ghat
Tulsi ghat is connected to the northern part of Rewa ghat, which was concretely constructed by Balaji Peshwa. Before this it was a part of Assi ghat. It is also known as Lolark ghat due to the presence of Lolark kund (the first of the twelve Adityas), the famous Aditya peeth of Kashi, on the ghat.

Bhadaini Ghat
It is also called Jal kal ghat. The position of this ghat is in Bhadaini locality, that is why it is called Bhadaini ghat.

Janki Ghat
This is the sixth ghat of the Ganges, adjacent to the northern border of Bhadainighat. Its permanent construction was done by Queen Rani Kunwar of Sursand (Bihar) in 1870 AD.

Digpatiya Ghat
The ghat and the huge palace situated at the ghat were built in the last phase of the 18th century AD by King Digpatiya of East Bengal

Nishad raj Ghat
Due to the residence of the people of Nishad (Mallah) caste mainly on the ghat, the ghat got its name Nishad ghat. There is only one Nishad raj temple on the ghat, which was constructed by the people of Nishad caste about a decade ago.

Panchkot Ghat
The ghat adjacent to the northern boundary of Prabhughat and the huge building situated on the ghat was built by the king of Panchkot (Bengal) in the last phase of 19th century AD. For this reason, the ghat is called Panchkot- ghat.

Jain Ghat
Before 1931, Jain ghat was a part of Kachha and Vachraj ghat. Later on, the ghat was made concrete by the Jains and it was named as Jain ghat. The famous Suparshvanath (Digambar) temple (1885 AD) of the Jain community is situated on the ghat.

Pandey Ghat
This ghat was built in the beginning of the 19th century AD by Babua Pandey, a resident of Chhapra (Bihar), that is why it was called Pandey ghat. Before the 19th century AD, the name of this ghat was Sarveshvar ghat, which is mentioned in Girvanpad manjari.

Prabhu Ghat
Like Nishadrajghat, this ghat is also dominat- ed by the people of Mallah caste. This ghat is not remarkable from the point of view of religious-cultural activities.

Chausatti Ghat
The concrete construction of the ghat was done by King Digpatiya of East Bengal in the last phase of 18th century AD. This ghat has special traditional importance from the religious point of view. Apart from the Chausattighat temple on the ghat, there are also Kali temples and several Devkulikas, which have idols of Shiva, Ganesha and Kattikeya.

Ranamahal Ghat
This ghat is adjacent to the northern boundary of the Chausattighat. The ghat and the palace situated at the ghat were built by Rana Jagat Singh, the king of Udaipur (Rajasthan) in the second half of the 17th century AD. For this reason the ghat was named Ranamahalghat.

Darbhanga Ghat
The ghat and the ghat’s artistic palace was built in 1812 AD by Sridhar Munshi, the minister of the king of Nagpur. Before 1920, this ghat was a part of the present Munshighat.

Munshi Ghat
The palace and the temple situated on the ghat and the ghat were built in 1812 AD by Sridhar Munshi, the minister of the king of Nagpur (Maharashtra). The ghat is named after him.

Ahilyabai Ghat
This ghat, adjacent to the northern border of Munshighat, and the huge palace situated on the ghat, were built in 1785 AD by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore (Madhya Pradesh).

Sheetla Ghat (I)

Situated in the southern part of Dashash- wamedhghat, there is a famous temple of Sheetla Devi at Shitalaghat, on the basis of which the ghat is named. Being attached to Dashashwamed ghat, this ghat has been a major center of religious-cultural activities.

Dashashwamedh Ghat
From religious-cultural and historical point of view, it is leading among the most famous Ghats of Kashi. The name of this ghat is found in Puranas Rudrasar (Kashikhand). According to tradition, it was named Dashashwamedh after Brahma performed the Dashashwamedha Yagya. Activities like marriage, mundan, Ganga Pujaiya, offering pyri to Ganga, cow-donation, pind-dan take place at the ghat. Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja, Ganesha and Vishwakarma Puja held at the ghat are also important, in which the idols are immersed in the Ganges as part of the closing ceremony. At the same time, apart from water sports like boat race, swimming, water polo on Gangadashera, Kashi’s various religious-cultural festivals, Budhwa Mangal are particularly remarkable, which is not only an indicator of continuous form of Kashi’s diverse religious-cultural tradition, but also from the present. connected and bears witness to refined cultural tastes.

Prayag Ghat
On the basis of Kashikhand, the place of Prayag pilgrimage is considered on this ghat. It is called Prayagghat because of the presence of Prayag Tirtha on the ghat.

Varahi Ghat
There is a famous temple of Varahidevi in the lane near the ghat, after which the ghat is named. In 1958 AD, after the concrete construction of the ghat by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, it became famous by the name Varahighat.

Rajendraprasad Ghat
Till 19th century AD, this ghat was a part of Dashashwamedhghat, which was known as Ghoraghat till 1984 AD. In 1984, after the permanent construction of the ghat by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the name of this ghat was changed to Rajendraprasadghat after the name of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of Independent India. Bathers take bath at the ghat, but their number is less than Dashashwamedh or Prayagghats. The boatmen tie the boat at the jetty.

Man mandir Ghat
It is called Man mandir ghat because of the construction of the ghat and the huge artistic palaces and temples situated on the ghat by King Man singh of Amer (Rajasthan) in the last peak of 16th century AD. In course of time, after the tradition of naming the Ghats as related to the name of the builders, its name also changed and it came to be known as Man mandir ghat after the name of its builder Man singh.

Tripura bhairavi Ghat

Like Varahi ghat, the name of this ghat is also associated with the Tripura bhairavi temple situated in the lane above the ghat.

Ram Ghat
In front of Ram ghat there is Ram tirtha in Ganga and Ram panchayatan temple on the ghat, due to which it got its name Ram ghat.

Jatara Ghat

– Jatar ghat was built by Balaji Chimnaji Jatar, – Diwan of Raja Jiyaji Rao Shinde of Gwalior

– in the middle of the 19th century AD. As a result, the ghat was named Jatarghat.

Mani karnika Ghat

Mani karnika is one of the five major and oldest pilgrimages and ghats of Kashi. The ghat was named Manikarnika because of the Mani karnika kund located on the ghat and the story related to it. The interpretation of the religious importance of Mani karnika ghat is found in many Puranas and texts. According to Matsya Purana, one attains salvation by sacrificing life here.

Bundipar kota Ghat

Bundipar kotaghat is also one of the Ghats of Kashi which were made concrete in the last ephase of 16th century AD.

Scindia Ghat
The ancient name of this ghat was Vireshwar- ghat. In 1835 AD, Baijabai Scindia, wife of Maharaja Daulatrao Scindia of Gwalior, got the ghat made concrete. After this it came to be known as Scindiaghat.

Agnishvar Ghat
It is called Aganishvar ghat because of the Agani teerth in the Ganga in front of the ghat and the Agnishvara (Shiva) temple near the ghat, which is also mentioned in Girvapad- manjari. Before the 19th century AD, this ghat extended up to the present Ganeshghat in the north. Due to the construction of Ganesh ghat in the 19th century AD, it was divided into Agnishvar and Ganesh ghats.

Meer Ghat
The earlier name of this ghat was Jarasandh- ghat, which is mentioned in Girvanpadman- jari. Around 1735 AD, the huge fort situated at the ghat and the ghat was built by Mir Rustam Ali, the then Faujdar of Kashi.

Jalasai Ghat

This Ghat is also known as Jalasen Ghat. In the context of the naming of the ghat, there is a belief that in front of the ghat, Shiva sleeps in the form of a linga in the Ganges. Due to the abode of Shiva in the Ganges, it is called Jalasai or Jalasenghat. There is also a belief that by dedicating Rudransh of a dead person to the Jalasai Shivling, the dead person attains salvation.

Ganesh Ghat
Prior to the 19th century AD, Ganeshghat was a part of Agneswarghat. The ghat got its name Ganeshghat because of the Amrit Vinayak temple situated at the ghat.

Gulariya Ghat
Till the first half of the 20th century AD, it was a part of Dandighat. According to the survey, till a few years ago there was a huge Gullar tree on the ghat, after which it was named Gulariyaghat.

Dandi Ghat
It is called Dandi ghat because of the monastery and residence of Dandi masters on the ghat. Its permanent construction was done by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in the 20th century AD

Vahhraj Ghat
The concrete construction of Vachchraj ghat adjacent to the northern border of Anandamayi ghat was done by Vachchraj,the chief merchant of Kashi (late 18th century AD). The present ghat has been renovated by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 1965.

Chetsingh Ghat

Chetsingh ghat also has a special place among the historically important Ghats of Kashi. The ghat and the huge fort situated at the ghat were built by Raja Balwant Singh, the founder of Verman Kashi Rajya. Due to the location of the ghat and the palace in the Shivala locality, it was known as Shivalaghat. In the southern part of the ghat, after some steps from the Ganges, there is a huge fortification and in the northern part there is a huge entrance to enter the fort located on the ghat. There are two bastions in the upper part of the entrance. Barhadari is built in this part, which was built in Rajput style of 16th-17th century AD.

Niranjani Ghat
There is a famous Niranjani Akhara of Naga sadhus on the ghat, on the basis of which the ghat has been named. It is known from the inscription in the akhada located at the ghat that this akhada was established in 1897 AD.

Mahanirvani Ghat
Adjacent to the northern boundary of Niranjanighat is Mahanirvanighat where there is a famous akada of Naga Sadhus of Mahanirvani Sampradaya. The ghat is named after the Akhara itself

Shivala Ghat
By the latter half of the 19th century AD, this ghat was spread over a wide area, which extended from the present Shivalaghat to the northern boundary of Panchkotghat in the south. The ghat was built by Balwant Singh. Later it was divided into many parts.

Hanuman Ghat
The famous Juna Akhara of Naga Sadhus is situated on the ghat. In this there is Hanuman temple of 18th century AD. In the context of the temple, it is believed that this is also in the Hanuman temples established by Tulsidas in – Kash Harish chandra ghat.

Karnataka Ghat

Karnataka ghat was a part of Hanuman ghat till the first half of 20th century AD. After the contribution of the State of Mysore in the reconstruction of the ghat, the northern part of the ancient Hanuman ghat became known as Mysore ghat. Later, Mysore ghat itself was converted into Karnataka ghat.

Harishchandra Ghat
Harishchandra ghat is one of the two major cremation grounds (Harishchandra and Manikarnika) of Kashi. In the context of the naming of the ghat, there is a mutual belief that Harishchandra, the king of Ayodhya and the symbol of truth, was sold at this crematorium in Kashi to protect the truth. It was because of this belief that the ghat was named Harishchandra ghat.

Narad Ghat
The ancient name of Nagahat was Kuwai ghat, which is mentioned by Prinsep. Nardeshwar (Shiva) temple was built on the ghat in the middle of 19th century AD, after which the name of the ghat was changed to Nar ghat.

Vijya Nagaram Ghat

Due to the construction of the ghat and the huge building situated on the ghat by Maharaja Vijyanagaram, it is called Vijya Nagaram Ghat.

Kedar Ghat
Kedarghat is adjacent to the northern boundary of Vizianagaramghat. It is named Kedarghat because of the famous temple of Kedareshwar Shiva on the ghat. Kedareshwar Shiva is mentioned in the twelve Jyotirlingas of Kashi, whose reference is found in Matsyapurana, Agnipurana, Kashikhand and Brahmavaivartapurana.

Chauki Ghat

Chauki ghat adjacent to the northern part of Kedar ghat is spread over a wider area than other ghats. In the upper part of the main ghat, there is an opening of the street, one way towards Kedareshwar and the other towards Mansarovar and the third towards Sonarpura and the fourth way is connected to the steps of the ghat.

Kshemeshwar Ghat

On the ghat is the 19th century AD Kshemeshwar (or Kshemeshwar Shiva) temple, which is believed to have been founded by Kshemak (Rakshasa), a devotee of Shiva. The ghat is named after the name of the temple itself

Mansarovar Ghat

Mansarovar Kund and ghat located in the vicinity of Mansarovar was built by Raja Mansingh of Amer (Rajasthan). This lake had special religious importance in the 17th century AD. It has been believed that by taking a bath in this lake one gets the virtue of taking a bath in Mansarovar located in the Himalayas.

Lali Ghat

Lalighat is also called Lallighat. In the context of the naming of the ghat, it is said that here was the abode of Saint Lali Baba, who was originally from Champaran (Bihar).

Raja Ghat
The ghat and the ghat’s monastery and palace were built in 1807 AD by Peshwa Amritrao of Poona. The ghat was reconstructed in 1965 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. At present, various cultural activities are organized at the ghat and in front of the palace for the entertainment of foreign tourists. In these events, in addition to classical dance-music, local folk arts (dance-music, singing-music) are presented by local artists.

Nandeshwar Ghat
Nandeshwar Ghat is also one of the new ghats that were developed in the 20th century AD. Motichandra first mentioned this ghat in Banaras and its Ghats. On the ghat is the Nandeshwar temple of the latter half of the 19th century AD. Due to which the ghat has been named.

Shuka Ghat
Although the reference of Shukaghat is found only from the 19th century AD. But due to its not being particularly important, after 1988, the Irrigation Department has got it done with the help of the Uttar Pradesh government. The local people also call it by the name Sakkaghat.

Telianala Ghat
This ghat has also been shown in the sketches of 17th and 18th century AD related to Tiths in the ghats of Kashi obtained from Sawai Mansingh II Museum. On this ghat there was an ancient drain of the city (Telianala which has been closed after 1988 AD), which used to meet in the Ganges. The place where Telianala meets the Ganges was called Telianalaghat.

Naya Ghat
The ancient name of Nayaghat was Futeshwarghat. It got its ancient name because of the Futeshwar Shiva temple near the ghat.

Prahlad Ghat
Undoubtedly this is the most important ghat among the ghats located between Trilochan and Rajghat. In the context of the naming of this ghat, the local people believe that it was from this ghat that Lord Vishnu protected the devotee Prahlad from the atrocities of his demonic father Hiranyakashyap.

Nishad Ghat
Like Nishadghat (first), it has been called Nishadghat due to the presence of Mallah (Nishad) caste people in the area near this ghat.

Rani Ghat
Before 1937, Ranighat was a part of Rajghat. In 1937 AD, Queen Munia Sahiba of Itaunja princely state of Lucknow constructed a huge building in the upper part of the ghat which is also known as Janki Kunj.

Raj Ghat
Rajghat is the first among the oldest ghats of Kashi, which is mentioned as an important religious-cultural and commercial center since the pre-Mauryan period. Its antiquity and importance and prevalence are proved by the archaeological remains obtained from the excavation of the area adjacent to the ghat

Sheetla Ghat (II)
In the upper part of the ghat, there is the Sheetla temple of 18th century AD, due to which it is called Sheetlaghat.

Adikeshav Ghat
Adikeshavghat, located near the confluence of the Ganga-Varuna rivers, is the last ghat on the northern border of the Ganges in Kashi. Being close to Ganga-Varuna, it is also called Ganga-Varuna Sangam.

Sant Ravidas Ghat
Sant Ravidasghat is situated between Assighat and samneghat on the left bank of Ganga in Varanasi. Sant Ravidas Park islocated on this ghat, in which all the basic facilities are available for the tourists. Due to the vastness of the ghat and the ease of movement, the State Government Tourism Department is organizing a grand Ganga Mahotsav on this ghat from the year 2013. Ganga bath and religious rituals are performed by devotees at this ghat.

Khidkiya Ghat  There is Khidkighat between Rajghat and Adikesha

Gola Ghat
In the context of the naming of this ghat, the local people believe that when the main expansion of the city was in the area adjacent to Rajghat, at that time there was a Galla Mandi (grain buying and selling center) in the upper part of the ghat. It is worth mentioning that in the local language, Gola is called the place of purchase and sale of grains, whose tradition is still visible today.

Gangamahal Ghat (II)
Before 1964, this ghat was a part of Sankathaghat. In 1864 AD, Maharaja Jiyaji Rao Scindhia of Gwalior bought the northern part of Sankathaghat and built a huge grand palace and pucca ghat on the banks of the Ganges. Due to the construction of the palace on the banks of the Ganges, it and the ghat have been called Gangamahal- ghat.

Raja Gwalior Ghat
Till the middle of 19th century AD, this ghat was a garden of ancient Chorghat (present day Jatar). The ghat and the huge building situated at the ghat were built by Maharaja Jiyaji Rao Shinde of Gwalior in the middle of the 19th century AD. It was called Gwaliorghat because of the construction of the ghat by the Maharaja of Gwalior.

Sankatha Ghat
The name of the ghat is due to the famous temple of Sankathadevi situated in the vicinity of the ghat.

Hanumangarhi Ghat
Before 1950 AD, this ghat was a part of Gaighat situated in the north. The ghat was originally the residence of Baba Shyamalda- ra, a resident of Bihar. In 1950 AD, Baba established the Hanuman temple on the ghat, as a result of which later it came to be known as Hanumangarhighat.

Gai Ghat
Gaighat is also one of the important ghats from the religious point of view. It is believed that by taking a bath at the ghat, a person gets rid of the sin of cow slaughter. Probably for this reason the ghat was named Gaughat.

Badrinarayan Ghat
Before the 20th century AD, Badrinarayang- hat was known as Mahtaghat. Because of the Badrinarayan (Nar-Narayan) temple on the ghat, it was later named Badrinarayanghat.

Brahma Ghat
A legend is prevalent regarding the naming of this ghat, according to which when Brahma came to Kashi on the orders of Shiva, he made his abode in Kashi on this ghat, hence this ghat came to be known as Brahmaghat.

Balaji Ghat
Due to the idol of Balaji (Vishnu) being installed, this building is known as Balaji or Lakshman Balaji Temple. The ghat is named after the temple situated at the ghat.

Lal Ghat
The permanent construction of the southern part of Lalghat was done by the king of Tijara (Rajasthan) in the first half of the 19th century AD. The Gopreksheshwar temple is prominent among the temples situated at the ghat.

Markandeya Mahadev Ghat
Shri Markandeya Mahadev Ghat is built on the banks of the sacred confluence of holy Ganga and Gomti in the well-known village Kaithi, located on the eastern end of Varanasi district.

Mehta Ghat
Before 1960, Mehtaghat was a part of Ramghat situated in the north. In 1960 AD, Calcutta resident Ballabharam Saligram Mehta bought the land of the ghat and got the hospital built on the ghat and the upper part of the ghat, as a result of which it was named Mehtaghat.

Trilochan Ghat
It was called Trilochanghat because of the Trilochan Mahadev Temple located near the ghat. Trilochan Shiva’s detailed mention is found in Kashikhand. Here it is related to the third eye of Shiva.

Namo Ghat
This time the renovation /expansion was inaugurated by Honorable Prime Minister, Government of India. The CNG petrol pump on this ghat is floating in the Ganga, from which CNG-powered boats are refilled. This ghat is full of facilities for children to play by Smart City. Parking facility is available on the ghat. The ghat looks very beautiful and attractive.