The Ganga Ghats of Varanasi

One of the most visited places in Varanasi is the 'ghats' or the 'stone steps' that stretch along the bank of the river Ganga for a couple of miles. There are a total of 84 ghats that have been built over the last few centuries. There are inscriptions that date back to the 12th century and bring to light the fact that there were only 5 ghats then.Each of the 84 ghats have their unique place of importance and there is a story behind the origin of all these ghats.Among the most popular ones are the Dashaswamedha ghat, Manikarnika ghat, Harishchandra ghat,Assi ghat,and Lalita ghat. It is a unique experience to just walk through these ghats especially during the early morning and evening hours.The place comes alive as the hub of spiritual and religious activities.For those who are not aware of Indian religious customs, the sight of the flames of the funeral pyres, burning on the ghats can be a strange experience.In the evening, do not forget to witness the elaborate and exhilirating 'ganga aarti' ceremony that is performed on some of these ghats.It is a daily ritual where you will witness volunteers swaying their bodies to the thumping sound of drums, burning lamps swaying along with their bodies in a trance like manner.It is a offering to the 'goddess Ganga', the holy river.No trip to Varanasi is complete without a boat ride on the Ganga.It is a singular experience to observe the ghats and the goings-on from the boat as it passes along the ghats.There are ancient temples and mutts along the ghats, each with its own legacy that can be traced back to the bygone centuries.We at aroundvaranai.com will help to unravel and unfold some of these stories as we take you through a 'mystical' walk through the 'ganga ghats'.