If you ask somebody what place makes Varanasi so special, they’ll instantly mention Dashashwamedh Ghat first. The soul of the city lies in the Ghat, mainly Dashashwamedh Ghat which is surreal to look at. You can almost feel the positive energy at the ghats, it’s so spiritual to look at the Priests performing, the aarti.
The Dashashwamedh Ghat is located on the western bank of the River Ganga. This place is so important in terms of the city’s rich culture, history and heritage, moreover it is such an important part of Hinduism. This ghat makes you so close to your faith and makes you feel so spiritual. If you’re visiting the city for the first time, you should not miss out on visiting the ghats.
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ToggleThere are so many legends about the history of these beautiful ghats. According to Hindu beliefs, Lord Brahma created this ghat to welcome Lord Shiva to the city of Kashi which is now known as Varanasi. There is another quite popular legend that says Brahma performed ten Ashwamedha Yajnas here. Which is how the ghat received its name. Dasha meaning ten and Ashwamedh referring to the horse sacrifice ritual.
Now the modern day ghats which we visit have been rebuilt several times over the centuries but there is so much spiritual significance of these ghats, you can feel so much positive energy when you visit them. Even today, thousands of devotees visit every single day. Some for prayers. Others simply to experience the atmosphere.
Among all the ghats on the bank of Ganga in the city of Varanasi, the main ghat in Varanasi is the Dashashwamedh Ghat. The ganga aarti is performed on this ghat. The ganga Aarti is not only one of the attraction of the Ghat but there are people who come to Varanasi just to witness the Ganga Aarti through their own eyes
From sunrise until late at night. The ghat remains busy. Pilgrims performing rituals. Boats arriving one after another. Street vendors selling flowers, diyas, and offerings. Some visitors sit quietly for hours. Simply watching the river flow.
People from all across the world come to the city of Varanasi to witness the Ganga Aarti getting performed on the ghats. It’s beautiful, so spiritual and it makes you feel so close to God, so close to your faith. One cannot describe the feeling, you have to visit it in order to understand this surreal feeling.
Every evening, like clockwork on ghats, a group of pandits dressed in their attire to perform the majestic aarti. It is all according to the rituals and they have been followed throughout years while performing aarti. The entire aarti lasts around 45 minutes. During festival days and some particular days which are important according to the hindu calendar, the aarti can last longer than 45 minutes. Make sure you arrive at least an hour before the ceremony. Many visitors choose to watch the Aarti from a boat floating on the river. Offering a completely different perspective.
Yes, due to this ghat being a Ganga snan ghat people visit Dashashwamedh every morning.
Now according to the legends, it is believed that if you take a dip in the Ganga, you’ll wash away all your sins. Especially during festivals like Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali, Makar Sankranti, and Ganga Dussehra. If you’re planning to take a dip in the holy river of Ganga, mornings are the best time to take a dip as it is less crowded, water is a little cold but the water is also more calm during this time.
Although people visit Dashashwamedh ghat to take a dip in holy Ganga and due to this, this is one of the busiest places for a holy dip in Varanasi. Due to this several other bathing ghats are located nearby so that people who want a little more calm place to take a dip. It is quite suitable for elders too.
Varanasi has more than 80 ghats along the River Ganga. Some are just for offering prayers, others to cremation rituals or cultural activities.
Some of the most important Varanasi ghat name include:
– Dashashwamedh Ghat
– Assi Ghat
– Manikarnika Ghat
– Harishchandra Ghat
– Kedar Ghat
– Panchganga Ghat
– Rajendra Prasad Ghat
– Scindia Ghat
– Chet Singh Ghat
– Lalita Ghat
The distance from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Assi Ghat is around 2.5 kilometres. The walk takes around 30 to 40 minutes. The walk is beautiful as you pass by the ghats, temples and various local markets. The best time to walk is definitely early morning or just before sunset. Probably the best time for this walk.
It’s the people, the rituals, the sound of prayers, the river, and the energy surrounding it. Together creating something difficult to describe. Whether you’re visiting for religious reasons, photography, or simple curiosity. Spending even a few hours here. Usually enough to understand why it remains the spiritual heart of Varanasi.
