River Ganges is considered to be the lifeline of Hinduism. People believe it to be God who took rebirth to flourish civilization. Varanasi is a sacred city due to the presence of this holy river. There are several Ghats that allow convenient access to this river.
Most of these Ghats were constructed during or post the 17th century and a few of them have been linked with mythologies. Each Ghat is believed to have a specific purpose. There are various steps on the Ghatthat lead to the river. Here, in this article, we will tell you some of the most popular Ghats that make this city a heavenly abode.
Here is the list of 17 Famous Ghats in Varanasi:
1. Assi Ghat
This is the Ghat where the two ancient rivers, the Ganges and the Assi meet. Located at the southernmost end of Varanasi city, this place is not chaotic and crowded. This Ghat has a lot of spiritual significance for people especially Hindus. Bathing in this Ghat before worshipping Lord Shiva’s lingam built under a close-by pipal tree is a popular ritual at this place. Assi Ghat has been a preferred place for long-staying tourists.
- Weather: Depends on the season, typically hot in summer (March to June) and cool in winter (November to February).
- Label: Spiritual, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Attend Ganga Aarti, Take a boat ride, Visit temples nearby
Read Also: Top Places to Visit in Varanasi
2. Dashashwamedh Ghat
At a thirty-minute walking distance from Assi Ghat, there is another popular Ghat “Dasaswamedh”. This Ghat is the most important attraction in Varanasi city. People from far-off places come to visit this Ghat. It is the most pious and oldest Ghats in Varanasi where the renowned Ganga aarti is performed every evening.
As per Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma built this ghat to welcome Lord Shiva. People believe that Lord Brahma performed a horse sacrifice rite in the presence of a holy fire on this Ghat. This place witnessed the constant flow of Hindu priests, pilgrims, beggars, and flower sellers to wash out their sins and accumulate good karma. Sitting along these Ghats and watching the beauty of the river for several hours gives a blissful and peaceful feeling that can’t be described in words.
- Weather: Varies with the season, hot in summer and cool in winter.
- Label: Spiritual, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Attend Ganga Aarti, Take a boat ride, Visit nearby temples
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3. Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika ghat is the place where several dead bodies are burned in Varanasi. Due to this reason, this Ghat is also called the burning Ghat. This is because of the ancient belief that by burning the dead bodies on this Ghat they will get liberated from the continuous cycle of death and rebirth. This Ghat is characterized by heaps of firewood that are lined along the coast and the fires that incessantly burn with the stream of lifeless bodies that are wrapped and carried on crude stretchers by the doms.
- Weather: Varies, can be hot in summer and cool in winter.
- Label: Spiritual, Historical
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cremation, Historical
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Witness cremation rituals, Visit Manikarnika Kund
Read Also: Top 10 Reasons to Visit Varanasi Once in Your Lifetime
4. Scindia Ghat
Near ManikarnikaGhat, is a peaceful and picturesque place called Scindia Ghat. This Ghat is devoid of the grimness of close by ManikarnikaGhat. One of the most special attractions of this place is the half-submerged Shiva Temple located at the edge of the water. This lingam got sunk at the time of the construction of this Ghat in 1830. The fine network of passage overhead the Ghatmasksseveral important temples in Varanasi city. This region is known as Siddha Kshetrathat attracts a lot of pilgrims every day.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Historical, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Historical, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit temples, Take a boat ride
5. Chet Singh Ghat
Chet Singh Ghatis the next popular Ghat on our list that is located in front of the historic Chet Singh fort. This Ghat was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Chet Singh, who reigned Varanasi at that time. During the war with the Britishers, Chet Singh constructed a small fortress close to the Ghat. Unluckily, he got defeated and was imprisoned in the fortress. However, he managed to escape the fortress with the help of a rope.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Historical, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Historical, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Chet Singh Fort, Enjoy the view of the Ganges
Read Also: Best Way to Travel from Delhi to Varanasi
6. Darbhanga Ghat
DarbangaGhat is another ancient Ghat that is known for its primitive buildings made using sandstones. This Ghat was constructed in the 1900s by the regal family of Bihar. This is a photogenic Ghat and viewed as one of the most architecturally impressive and visually appealing Ghats in the city. Darbanga Ghat features a grand palace hotel that is available for all tourists to stay while on their visit. Next to it is “Munshi Ghat” that was built in 1912 by Sridhara Narayana Munshi, who had been the then finance minister of the Darbhanga state.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Historical, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Historical, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Darbhanga Palace, Explore nearby temples
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7. Harishchandra Ghat
This Ghat is named after the popular king Harishchandra who was popular in history to has not lied at any time in his life. It was believed that God wanted to test him for his virtue of truth by putting him into various disasters, that even caused him to slog in the burning grounds. Due to this reason, this Ghat is called Harishchandra Ghat. There is an ancient belief that whoever gets cremated in this Ghatattains salvation.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Spiritual, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Witness cremation rituals, Visit Harishchandra Temple
Read Also: Alaknanda: Varanasi Luxury Cruise in River Ganga
8. Jain Ghat
JainGhat is constructed in the remembrance of 7th Jain Tirthankara. Our ancestors believed that he took birth in this area. There is also a temple made in the 19th century to commemorate the saint.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Spiritual, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Jain temples, Take a boat ride
9. Shivala Ghat
This Ghat is popular for temples, monasteries, and several other structures. You can find different types of art celebrations and musical concerts at this place.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Spiritual, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Shivala Temple, Enjoy the view of the Ganges
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10. Mansarovar Ghat
King Man Singh constructed a pool as “Mansarovar Kund” in the 16th century. The spiritual level of this pool was viewed similarly to the sacred Tibetan lake “Mansarovar”. Later, the size of this pond began to diminish due to a scared city of space. Today, Mansarovar Kundhas has taken the form of a well that is supervised and controlled by Kumara Swamy Matt.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Spiritual, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Take a dip in the Ganges, Visit nearby temples
Read Also: List of Most Popular Temples in Varanasi
11. Man Mandir Ghat
This is a very primitive Ghat in Varanasi. This Ghat is noteworthy for its brilliant Rajput architecture. Man Mandir Ghat was constructed by Rajput Maharaja Man Singh in 1600. There was an additional attraction made to this Ghat in the form of an observatory by Sawai Jai Singh II in the 1730s. The astronomical instruments are well preserved in this observatory. From the spacious terrace of this Ghat, one can get fabulous views of the shores of the Ganges River.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Historical, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Historical, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Man Mandir Observatory, Enjoy the architecture
12. Bhonsale Ghat
This is another notable Ghat in Varanasi with a distinctive touch. It was constructed by Maratha king Bhonsalein in 1780. It is a large-sized stone structure with small creative windows located at the top, and 3famous heritage shrines—Yameshwar Temple, Yamaditya Temple, and Lakshminarayan Temple. This Ghat is a bit controversial as there is news that the royal family was found to be involved in fraud over the selling of this Ghat in the year 2013.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Historical, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Historical, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit temples, Take a boat ride
13. Narada Ghat
NaradaGhatwas constructed in the 18th century. There are 4 significant idols kept in this Ghat that are the prime source of attraction for pilgrims. It has been believed that if someone takes baths in this Ghatwith their spouse, then it could create issues in the marriage in the coming years.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Spiritual, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Narada Kund, Witness Ganga Aarti
Read Also: 100 Most Popular to Visit in India
14. Ganga Mahal Ghat
This Ghat was constructed as an extension to the popular Assi Ghat. Presently, both these Ghats are separated from each other by a sequence of stone steps. The name Ganga Mahal Ghat is derived from the Ganga Mahal that is located on the Ghat. Presently, thisMahal has got transformed into an educational institute.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Historical, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Historical, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Ganga Mahal Museum, Explore nearby temples
15. Vijayanagaram Ghat
Vijayanagaram Ghat is named after a very popular city in Southern India, Vijayanagaram. On visiting this place, you will get to see several shrines of deities local to Andhra Pradesh. Popular ones being the temples of Lord Shiva and Nishpapeshvara.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Historical, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Historical, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Vijayanagaram Fort, Enjoy the view of the Ganges
16. Rajendra Prasad Ghat
This Ghat was once a part of the popular Dashashwamedh Ghat, and later got named after the 1st Indian President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. There are several cultural stages and temples at this Ghat. It is a popular place of rituals, horse market, and boat ferry.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Historical, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Historical, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do: Visit Rajendra Prasad Ghat Park, Take a boat ride
Read Also: 10 Best Places for Spiritual Enlightenment in India
17. Tripura Bhairavi Ghat
This Ghat is popular among South Indian devotees. It houses the most sacred Varahi temple that is visited by several people in a year.
- Weather: Hot in summer, cool in winter
- Label: Spiritual, Cultural
- Tags: Ghat, River, Spiritual, Cultural
- Timings: Open all day
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: None
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