Welcome to Varansi Ghats

43. Rajendra Prasada Ghat

In 1979 in memory and honor of the first President of India (1950-1962), Rajendra Preside (1884-1963), this ghat was renamed, and made pucca by the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi.

In fact, this ghat was northern extension of Dasasvamedha Ghat. And until late nineteenth century a stone statue of horse was at the ghat witnessing the "ten-horses sacrifices" performed by Bhara Siva Nagas in second century, that is how the old name "Ghoda Ghat" ("Horse Ghat"). It is believed that the same horse image is shifted to Sankatamocana temple. The myth refers those servants of Bhara Siva Nagas taken bath here.

44. Mana Mandira Ghat

The old name of this ghat was Somesvara, but in Cc.E. 1585 when Raja Savai Mana Singh (of Amber) made his palace and ghat this is named after him. This ghat is "known primarily for magnificent building with exquisite, ornately carved window carvings" (Eck 1982:228). On the top of the floor is a Hindu Observatory built by Savai Jai Singh-II (1686-1743); the other places where he established such observatories are Jaipur, Delhi, Mathura and Ujjain. Under the direction of his astrologer-minister, Jagannatha, the king built this observatory during the period of 1710-1737. There are four main astronomical instruments there for calculation and observation. The repairing and renovation were made in 1850s and again in 1912 under the patronage of the King of Jaipur.

The closely shrines at the top of the ghat are Somesvara, Dalabhesvara, Ramesvara and Sthuladanta Vinayaka, s. In the river lies the Prophase Tirtha. On the occasion of Holi, the festival of color, falling on the last day of Phalguna (Feb.-March), people perform celebration at the Dalabhesvara shrine.

45. Tripura Bhairavi Ghat

This ghat is named after the Tripura Bhairavi shrine, a female partner of Tripuresvara whose image also exists there. Another important shrine is of Varahi, one of the nine mother-goddess. In late eighteenth century king of Banaras and Pt. Mayananda Giri had patronize to make this this ghat pucca.

46. Mira Ghat

This ghat represents two old sites of Jarasandhesvara and Vrddhadity, which were converted by Mira Rustam Ali in 1735. Presciently, in the name of these two shrines pilgrims throw flowers and raw-rice in the Ganga and remember them. The shrines and images in the vicinity are Vrdhaditya, Asss Vinayaka, Yajna Varahaand Visalaksi ("The Wide-Eyed", one of the 52 Sakti-pithas of goddesses). Another important site is Dharmakupa consisting of a sacred well surrounded by five temples, and also Divodasesvara lingam. The temple of Dharmesa is associated to the myth of Yama's (Lord of Death) power over the fate of the dead everywhere on the earth, except in Kasi (cf. KKh 78, 79, 81).

With the notion that due to entrance of low castes ("untouchables") the temple of Visvesvara / Visvanatha became impure, Svami Karapatri-Ji, a very conservative Brahmin and a cult-chief, has established a "New visvanatha Temple" in 1956 at the top of the ghat. On the steps, under a pipata tree, the water-pouring ritual in honour of ancestors is performed. There also exists a 'Sulabha Saucalaya' ("easy toilet house").

47. Phuta / Naya Ghat

This was an old site of Tajnesvara Ghat and was made pucca by Svami Mahesvarananda in mid nineteenth century. In the closely stream lies the Visala Gaga Tirtha.

48. Nepali Ghat

Hovel (1905: 130) described this ghat:

"Where, recessed in the stone embankment, and completely covered by the river in the rainy season, is a pretty little shrine of Ganga, the Ganges, represented as a female figure seated on crocodile. Above it a stair-case leads to the Nepalese temple, a very picturesque building, half-hidden by magnificent tamarind and pippal trees. It is built chiefly of wood and brick; the double-storied roof, with great projecting eaves supported by brackets, is characteristic of the architecture of Nepal and of other sub-Himalayan districts".

The ghat is patronized by a Nepalese, and was built pucca in c. 1902 by Nanhi Babu. The area is dominated by Nepalese residents (Nepali Khapra).

49. Lalita Ghat

This ghat is named after the famous goddesss Lalita in Kasi and also in Prayaga. The well-known lingam of Ganga Kesava and shrines of Gangatiya, Kasi Devi, Lalita Devi and Bhagiratha Tirtha are affiliated to this site. People believe that a glimpse of Lalita Devi brings the same reward as circumambulating the entire world.

At the top of the ghat, close to the Nepali Ghat, as described earlies, lies the Nepali Temple Built in c. 1841 under the patronage of king of Nepal and assumed that the lingam there replicates the famous Pasupatisvara at Kathmandu. The temple has some wooden carvings of the erotic scenes; and all the four gateways and doors are fully decorated with geomantic architectural frame.

50. Bauli/Umaraogiri /Amroha Ghat

The old name of this ghat was Raja Rajesvari Ghat and was made in early nineteenth century by a rich merchant, Babu Kesava Deva. In the nearby stream lies the Bramhanala tirtha.

51. Jalasayi Ghat

Somehow in diverted form this ghat is also called as Jalasen Ghat. In fact, this and the followed one both are part of the cremation ghat. The name itself indicates "putting dead body into water" as part of ritual before putting the corpse on the funeral pyre. In the mid-nineteenth century the nearby building and the ghat were built.

52. Khirki Ghat

The name of the ghat tilerally means "the window" (Khirki) from where attendants can watch the cremation. Close to it in 1940 Baldeo Dasa Birla has built a pilgrims' rest house. Under a deserted papal tree there are five Sati shrines.

Presently both of the above ghats (no. 51, 52) are defunct ional and present a view of nuisance – smoke-scope and deaths cape!

53 Manikarnika Ghats

Two ancient sacred waterfront sites make this ghat, viz. Siddha Vinayaka and Svargadvafresvara. Among the five important and sacred ghats, this is the thired one from the south to north. This is eulogized vividly in the KKh (26; 119; 122; 33.103; 34.17-34). This is popularly called as "the great cremation ground" (Mahasmasana). A myth mentions that Lord Siva gives taraka mantra ("prayer of the crossing") in the ear of the dead, therefore the form of Siva as Tarakesvara, (the temple is at the ghat), is propitiated whenever a Hindu dies. The name Manikarnika derives its origin from the dropping rings of Siva during His transcendental dance here. The historical sources mention this site in the Gupta inscriptions of C.E. 4^th century. This is the first ghat made pucca by the two king brothers in C.E. 1302; and was rebuilt and repaired in 1791 Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the entire ghat. Again in 1872 repairing and renovations were done.

In the vicinity are the shrines of Mankarnikesvara (a little far in the upper side of the lane), Mahesvara (open air lingam at the ghat) and Siddha and Manikarna Vinayakas. The temple of Manikarnikesvara is the most important temple in this area, located at the top, slightly into the city and is approachable from the ghat by taking a steeply ascending lane south of the Kunda. "The lingam of this temple-set dramatically underground at the bottom of a deep shaft-could at one time be reached by a tunnel originating on the ghat".

There also exists a sacred pond, Cakra-Puskarini Kunda (Discus Lotus-Pool"), and Visnu's feet impression, Carana Paduka. According to puranic myth long before the Ganga arrived at the heels of Bhagiratha, the Cakka-Puskarini Kunda was present.

54. Bajairio Ghat

Bajairao Pesava built this ghat in c. 1735 that is how it is named after him, and also a palace. Hovel has described the condition as: "Before the basement had been raised many feet, the tremendous weight of the massive masonry caused a landslip, which made the whole fabric topple over, so that the work had to be abandoned. The unfinished façade and the ghat steps still remain." In fact, the entire structure sunk several meters into the earth since its erection (Shirring 1868: 72).

55. Scindhia Ghat

Formerly it was known as Viresvara Ghat, after the temple of same name lying at the top. In 1780 Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore made this ghat pucca.

56. Sankatha Ghat

Its old name Yamesvara Ghat after the name of the shrine. At the top in the lane lies temples of Yamesvara and Hariscandresvara, which might be thought of the old cremation area; still at present on the occasion of Yama Dvitiya devotees take sacred bath. In late eighteenth century king of Baroda made this ghat, but in 1825 Beniram Pundit’s widow, known as "Panditain", and nephewa built this ghat pucca together with building structure of the temple of Sankatha Devi.

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