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Varanasi is the land of holy temples and spiritual ghats. Much of the
religious activity takes place near the banks of holy Ganges river.
The festive magic continues throughout the year in Varanasi temples
and ghats, and a variety of religious rituals are held from morning
till night, making it one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers in India.
There are around 100 ghats in Varanasi, each with its own mythological
importance and religious significance. It is believed that a dip in
the holy waters of the ghats cleanses all past sins. It is also believed
that anyone dying on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi attains Moksha
(enlightenment). Another popular belief is that immersion of the ashes
of the dead in the ghats grants their soul eternal peace. Every day
thousands of Pilgrims flock the Ghats to have a ritual bath and perform
puja to the rising sun.
Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the oldest ghats of Varanasi and
its antiquity goes back to several thousand years. In the evening thousands
of devotees perform aarti, and immerse their earthen lamps in the holy
water.
Man Mandir Ghat is another prominent ritual ghat in Varanasi.
Most devotees come to this ghat to pay homage to the Someswar lingam
(Lord of the Moon). The ghat of Man Mandir was built by Maharaja of
Jaipur.
The Ganga Ghat is quite popular among pilgrims, who flock here
in large numbers to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed
to absolve one from all sins.
At Manikarnika Ghat the mortal remains are consigned to flames
with the prayers that the soul rest in eternal peace. It is the main
cremation ghat of Varanasi.
Asi Ghat, located at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and
Asi, is popular because of a huge lingam at the ghat where devotees
offer prayers.
Lalita Ghat is another popular ghat at Varanasi. A beautiful
wooden temple, Ganga Keshava Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is located
here.
Other important ghats of Varanasi include Dattatreya, Kedar, Scindia,
Harishchandra, Barnasangam, and Panchganga Ghat.
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History
of Agra
