Varanasi Ghat India
 In this ancient city of pilgrimage, the bathing ghats are
main attraction. People flock here in large numbers every day to take bath and
worship in the temples built beside the river bank. The centuries old tradition
to offer 'puja' to the rising Sun is still maintained. There are over 100 ghats
in Varanasi that line the western bank of the River Ganges.
Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi
One of the main ghats of Varanasi is the 'Dasashvamedh Ghat' or the 'ghat of
ten sacrificed horses'. It is said that the sacrifices were made by Lord Brahma
to pave path for the return of Shiva after the period of banishment.
The beauty of this ghat has remained unchanged, even after ages of harsh
treatment it has undergone. The Ghat has remained unspoiled and provides the
same view of the river front, which it has been showing for ages now.
Asi Ghat in Varanasi
The southernmost ghat in the sacred city, the Asi Ghat is situated at the
confluence of the rivers Ganga and Asi. Pilgrims consider it particularly holy
to bathe here prior to worshipping at a huge lingam, under a peepal tree.
Asisangameshwar, the lord of confluence of the Asi, is the name of another
lingam, which is worshipped by the people, in a small marble temple, just off
the ghat.
Lalita Ghat in Varanasi
To the north of the Manikarnika Ghat is Lalita Ghat, well known for its Ganga
Keshava Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the wooden Nepali temple built in
the typical Kathmandu style. The temple houses an image of Pashupateshwar, which
is a manifestation of Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath, in the Kathmandu valley.
Some the other famous ghats are Barnasangam, Panchganga, Dattatreya, Kedar,
Scindia and Harishchandra Ghats. As the first rays of Sun sparkle on the water
of Ganga River, devotees take their dip before performing any other religious
activity.
You can go for a boat ride from the Ghats. It is advisable that take a boost
before the sunrise and watch the ravishing beauty of Varanasi unfold itself with
the rays of dawn.
Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi
One of the most sacred and the oldest ghats of Varanasi, Manikarnika Ghat is the
main burning ghat. Lying at the centre of the five tirthas, Manikarnika Ghat
symbolises both creation and destruction, epitomised by the juxtaposition of the
sacred well of Manikarnika Kund and the hot, sandy ash-infused soil of cremation
grounds where time comes to an end. The kund is said to have been dug by Lord
Vishnu at the time of creation.
Man Mandir Ghat in Varanasi
Known primarily for its magnificent 18th century observatory equipped with ornate window casings, Man Mandir Ghat was built by the Maharaja of Jaipur. The northern part of the ghat has a fine stone balcony. The pilgrims pay homage to the important lingam of Someshwar, the Lord of the Moon.
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