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Varanasi
is symbolized by its Ghats. There are as
many as 81 Ghats in Varanasi for
different purposes. Some of them are
related to particular deity while others
are simply to bathe. Some of the
important Ghats of Varanasi include Assi,
Dasaswamedh, Manikarnika, Tulsi and
Panch Ganga among others. Tulsi Ghat is
named after the famous 16th century poet
Tulsi Das, who spent many years on this
Ghat composing the Ram Charit Manas. A
temple dedicated to Lord Ram stands on
the Ghat. Another historically important
Ghat is Panch-Ganga Ghat. Panch -Ganga
Ghat as its name indicates, is where
five rivers are supposed to meet.
Dominating the Ghat is Aurangzeb' s
smaller mosque popularly called Alamgir
Mosque. Following are other important
Ghats in Varanasi: -
Assi Ghat
Assi is a clay-banked Ghat that stands
at the southernmost part of Varanasi
where river Assi meets Ganges. This Ghat
is the first when you start walking from
South towards the Manikarnika. It is
mandatory for the pilgrims to bathe at
this Ghat before worshipping at a huge
lingam under a Peepal tree. There is
another Lingam that is worth visit. It
is called Asisangameshvara or the "Lord
of the Confluence of the Assi". This has
been placed in a small marble temple
just off the Assi Ghat.
Dasaswamedh Ghat
Dasaswamedh Ghat falls second in line of
the Panch-Tirtha Yatra. When you start
moving from Assi towards North then
falls past the plain, flat-roofed
building that houses the shrine of
Shitala. The name of Dasaswamedh Ghat
indicates that Brahma sacrificed (medh)
10 horses here. Conveniently central,
it's one of the most important and
busiest ghats and therefore is a good
place to linger and soak up the
atmosphere. Dasaswamedh is an extremely
popular pilgrimage.
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat has a great
significance not only in Hindu mythology
and way of life but also in the
philosophies of life and death.
Manikarnika is basically a cremation
Ghat. It is interesting to know that
cremation Ghats are usually placed
outside the main town, as they are
considered inauspicious. Nevertheless
this doesn't stand true in the case of
Varanasi where Manikarnika is situated
quite in the middle of town itself. This
is precisely because the entire city of
Varanasi is considered a "Maha-Shmashan"
or the Great Cremation Ground. |
