How many ghats are there in Varanasi, India?

Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats are used exclusively as cremation sites.

Who are the patrons of the Ghats in Varanasi?

Most Varanasi ghats were rebuilt after 1700 AD, when the city was part of Maratha Empire. The patrons of current ghats are Marathas, Shindes ( Scindias ), Holkars, Bhonsles, and Peshwes ( Peshwas ). Many ghats are associated with legends or mythologies while many ghats are privately owned.

Why did Lord Brahma create the ghat in Varanasi?

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma created the ghat to welcome Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma is also believed to have performed a special horse sacrifice ritual there in front of a sacred fire. The carnival of goings-on is captivating, with a constant flow of pilgrims, Hindu priests, flower sellers and beggars from dawn til dusk.

Who is the owner of Munshi Ghat in Varanasi?

The hotel was originally a fort built by Shridhara Narayana Munshi (adjacent Munshi Ghat is named after him), who was the minister for the estate of Nagpur. King Rameshwar Singh Bahadur of Darbhanga (in modern-day Bihar) acquired the structure in 1915 and turned it into his palace.

Why did Lord Brahma create the Ghats in Varanasi?

Two Hindu mythologies are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another, Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses, during Dasa- Ashwamedha yajna performed here.

Where are the ghats along the Ganges River?

Sharell Cook lives in Mumbai full-time and has been writing about India travel for TripSavvy since 2008. There are almost 100 ghats—places with steps leading down to the water—along the holy Ganges River in Varanasi. The main group contains around 25 of them, and it extends from Assi Ghat north to Raj Ghat.

Which is the best ghat for cremation in Varanasi?

Cremations in progress at Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi. In Hindu traditions, cremation is one of the rites of passage and the Ghats of Varanasi are considered one of the auspicious locations for this ritual. At the time of the cremation or “last rites\\