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Varanasi Essentials

Varanasi's riverfront is defined by its historic ghats, each serving distinct religious and social purposes. Dasaswamedh Ghat hosts the nightly Ganga Aarti, while Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats are the primary sites for traditional Hindu cremations. The city's architectural landscape includes the 18th-century Man Singh Observatory and the distinctive red Durga Temple. Religious diversity is represented by the 17th-century Alamgir Mosque and the wooden Nepali Temple, reflecting influences from across the Indian subcontinent.

Varanasi Essentials — Carte

Samuel Bourne / Public domain

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Manikarnika Ghat(KOSTRI)

Manikarnika Ghat is one of the holiest cremation grounds among the sacred riverfronts, located on the banks of River Ganges, in the city of…

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Dasaswamedh Ghat

The busiest ghat on the Ganges, famous for the daily evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. It was historically established by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao and is associated with ten-horse sacrifices performed by Lord Brahma.

25 Cents FC / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Assi Ghat (START)

Located at the confluence of the Ganges and Assi rivers, this ghat marks the southern end of the main riverfront. It is a primary site for morning rituals and pilgrims visiting the Shiva lingam under a peepal tree.

Vrinda / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Darbhanga Ghat

Distinguished by the massive 19th-century sandstone palace built by the Royal Family of Darbhanga. The palace features ornate balconies and Greek-inspired pillars, and now houses a heritage hotel.

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Manmandir Ghat

Built in 1600 by Raja Man Singh of Amber, this ghat features an 18th-century stone observatory added by Sawai Jai Singh II to measure astronomical time and planetary movements.

Dheeraj666 / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Scindia Ghat

Notable for a 19th-century Shiva temple that has partially tilted and sunk into the riverbed. It is located just north of Manikarnika Ghat and contains several shrines within its narrow alleys.

Henk Kosters / CC BY-SA 2.0

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Durga Temple

Built in the 18th century by a Bengali Maharani, this red-painted temple features North Indian Nagara architecture. It is situated next to a large rectangular tank known as Durga Kund.

Man / CC BY 2.0

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Alamagir Mosque

A 17th-century mosque built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb on the site of the former Bindu Madhav temple. It occupies a high position overlooking Panchganga Ghat.

Matt Stabile / CC BY 2.0

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Nepali Temple

A 19th-century wooden temple commissioned by King Rana Bahadur Shah of Nepal. Built in the pagoda style of Kathmandu, it features intricate wood carvings and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

juggadery / CC BY-SA 2.0

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Tulsi Manas Temple

A white marble temple built in 1964 at the site where the poet Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas. The walls are inscribed with verses and scenes from the epic poem.

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Harishchandra Ghat

One of the two cremation ghats in Varanasi, named after the legendary King Harishchandra. It is considered one of the oldest ghats in the city.