Subah-E-Banaras

The eternal beauty of 'subah-e-banaras'.Varanasi is famous for it's sunrise by the Ganges .There is a perfect horizon , bordered with water .The ancient ghats in the opposite side of the sunrise is a perfect backdrop.The earthy colors of the ghats complement very well with the water , the sun and everything that follows a sunrise.A golden sheen covering everything in sight.A perfect way to welcome a new day in your life.The waters turn to molten gold and it's just ethereal.The ghats are ancient , and most of the buildings are ancient too.Some of them are painted brightly and that looks surprisingly good with the rustic sandstone ghats.

Babua Pandey Ghat

Babua Pandey Ghat built in memory and honor of the famous wrestler Babua Pandey in 1805. Very calm ghat, only dhobies and boats are to be seen here.

Lali Ghat

In c. 1778 this ghat was built pucca by Raja of Banaras. At the upper side there are temple of Lambodara Cintamani and Jyestha Vinaykas, Kiratesvara, Jayanta Siva Lingam and Maha Laksmi. The vicinity is dominated by washermen.

Vijayanagaram Ghat

Built by the Maharaja of Vijayanagar in the South is named after Shiva, who dwells in the middle of the spacious temple.This ghat is shrine popular with Bengalis and south Indians. A little below is the Gauri (Parvati) kund whose waters have healing properties.

Narad Ghat

The old name of this Ghat is Kuvai Ghat. This was constructed by Dattatreya Swami, a monastery chief, in 1788. The four important idols atop Narad ghat are Naradeshvara, Atrishvara, Vasukishvara and Dattatreyeshvara.

Harishchandra Ghat

Harish Chandra Ghat is one of the oldest Ghats of Varanasi. Harish Chandra Ghat is name after a mythological King Harish Chandra, who once worked at the cremation ground here for the perseverance of truth and charity. It is believed that the Gods rewarded him for his resolve, charity and truthfulness and restored his lost throne and his dead son to him. Harish Chandra Ghat is one of the two cremation Ghats (the other being Manikarnika Ghat) and is some times referred as Adi Manikarnika (the original creation ground). Hindus from distant places bring the dead bodies of their near and dear ones to the Harish Chandra Ghat for cremation. In Hindu mythology it is believed that if a person is cremated at the Harish Chandra Ghat, that person gets salvation or "moksha". The Harish Chandra Ghat was somewhat modernized in late 1980's, when an electric crematorium was opened here.

Mahanirvani Ghat

Mahanirvani Ghat is situated on north end of Nirvani Ghat. It is named after Mahanirvani sect of Naga Saints. the famous Akhara is situated here. It has four small Shiva Temple made by Nepal’s Maharaja. It is legendary that Acharya Kapil Muni of Sankhya philosophy fame lived here during 7th cent. Near Mahanirvani Akhara Mother Teresa’s Home is also situated.

Niranjani Ghat

Niranjani Ghat was originally a part of the Chet Singh Ghat and belongs to the Naga Saints who established the 'Niranjani Akhara' here in 1897. Not many people bathe here as the ghat is not as significant from a religious perspective. There are four temples here consisting of footprints of Niranjani Maharaj and thats where the ghat gets its name from.

Karnataka State Ghat

This ghat was build by the state of Mysore (now know as Karnataka) in early twentieth century (c.1910). There lies a site are shrine. There also is a shrine of Ruru (" the Dog") Bhairava, one of the 8th Bhairavas protecting the city from 8th directions .

Shivala Ghat

Shivala Ghat was of great importance during the medieval times. A magnificent mansion built during the 19th century by King Sanjay Vikram Shah of Nepal still stands here.

Chet Singh Ghat

It is a historical fortified ghat. The place has witnessed a fierce battle between the troops of Warren Hastings and Chet Singh in 1781. A.d/ The fort and ghat has been taken from British by Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh in the later half of 19th cent. Originally this Ghat was know at ‘Khirki Ghat; Now it has four parts known as Cheta Singh, Niranjani, Nirrvani and Shivala.Ghat has three Shiva Temple belonging to 18th cent. Till first half 20th cent. It was culturally quit important. The famous Budhwa Mangal festival which was celebrated for seven days had been organised here. Due to sharp current of Ganga people avoid bathing here. This Ghat has been rejuvenated by state govt. in 1958.

Prachin Hanuman Ghat

This Ghat was made pucca by Mahant Hariharanath in 1825. This Ghat had affinity with a great bhakti saint Vallabha (C.E.1479-1531), who laid the philosophical Foundations for a great resurgence of Krishna bhakti (Eck 1882 223). His birth day is celebrated Here on 11th dark-half of Baisakha (April-May). 

Chauki Ghat

Sandwiched between two prominent ghats (Harishchandra Ghat and Kedar Ghat), one may easily overlook the Chowki Ghat, though its big platforms, iron railings and large open space is quite ideal for walking and relaxing, something which is missing on the other cramped yet prominent ghats. The ghat is the traditional neighbour of Lali Ghat, predominantly occupied by the washermen community. However, signs of wear and tear are evident on this ghat as well.

Kshameshwar Ghat

The Kshameshwar Ghat is a wide ghat that cascades down to the Ganges. It is located south of Dashaswamedh Ghat, right after Raja Ghat, along the Ganges in Varanasi. Apart from a small shrine, there isn't anything particularly impressive about Kshameshwar Ghat, especially when compared with the imperial architecture of Raja Ghat.

Manasarowar Ghat

At the top of this ghat there is a secred pond, in replicated from representing the famous sacred lake of the same name lying in Tibet. This ghat was built by Raja Mana Singh of Jaipur in c. 1585, and was rebuilt in c. 1805. The shrines of Rama, Laksamana, and Dattatreya are in the vicinity.

Raja Ghat

Formerly known as Amrita Rao Ghat, this was firstly made by the first Maratha chief Gajirao Balaji in c.1720. This was rebuilt with stone slabs by Amrita Rao Pesac\va during 1780 – 1807. At the top of lofty stone steps he established four temples of Amritesvara, Vinayakesvara, Nayanesvara and Gangesvara and four auxiliary shrines, and also renovated the Prabhasa Tritha in 1780.

Pandey Ghat

In c. 1805 this ghat was built in honour of a famous wrestler who established a wresting site (Akhara) there: his name was Babua Pande. The shrine of Somesvara exists closeby to it. In its vicinity lies the old site of Prabhasa Tirtha, but presently it is spatially transposed at Raja Ghat.

Digpatiya Ghat

"Digpatiya Ghat" where SRI KASHI RAMASHRAM MATH is situated atop the this ghat . This Ghat is located south of Dasaswamedh Ghat, a palace-like structure was built by the Raj of Digpatia and is an example of North Indian architecture. The structure goes almost to the river's edge and there are just a few steps (ghats) between the river and struture. Passing by in the early morning, there were few pilgrims here.

Chousatti Ghat

Chousati (Chausatthi) Ghat is located south of Dasaswamedh Ghat next to Digpatiya Ghat. It is named after 64 (chausatha) goddesses. The steep steps lead to the Chausath Yogini Temple. A yogini is an assistant goddess and 60 of the 64 are enshrined in the temple. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Kali, one of the most misunderstood Hindu goddesses, likely due to her wild and fearsome appearance. Kali has been called the goddess of death, destruction, and darkness. She is actually the mother goddess, with whom her devotees share a loving bond. Many Hindus come to the temple during the new moon day of the month of chaitra, an auspicious day when they take a dip in the Ganga. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the temple at any time.

Rana Mahal Ghat

Rana Mahal Ghat was reconstructed in 17th century by the ruler of Udaipur (Rana Jagat Singh). The palace is excellent example of Rajasthani architecture.

Darbhanga Ghat

Darbhanga Ghat which is located south of Dasaswamedh Ghat next to Rana Mahal Ghat. This imposing palace with its towers and turrets was built in the early 1900s by the royal family of Bihar. One of the highlights of this palace is the very early lift that was operated by hand, now said to be out of operation. Darbhanga Ghat has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is also a building nearby that is used for performing religious rituals.

Munshi Ghat

The ghat was built by Sridhara Narayana Munshi a finance minister in the State of Darabhanga in 1912. After his death in 1924 this portion ghat named in his honour.

Ahilyabai Ghat

At the place of an old site of Kevelyagiri Ghat, in c. 1778 queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore made this a pucca ghat. For the first time name of a person was added after the ghat. She was also responsible for re-building the Visvesvara temle, as exists at present, in 1777.

Dasaswamedh Ghat

Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the most important Ghats of Varanasi. Dasaswamedh literally means the Ghat (river front) of ten sacrificed horses. According to legends ten horses were sacrificed by Lord Brahma to allow Lord Shiva to return from a period of banishment. In spite of the fact that Dasaswamedh is one of the oldest Ghats of Varanasi, dating back to many thousand years, the Ghat has remained unspoilt and clean. 

Dasaswamedh provides a beautiful and colorful riverfront view. A large number of Sadhus can be seen performing religious rites on this Ghat. Devotees must not miss the opportunity of visiting the Dasaswamedh Ghat in the evening when after Aarti, thousands of earthen lamps are immersed in the waters of the holy Ganges and the floating lamps give a divine look to the river at dusk.

Top View

Varanasi is one of the oldest city in earth...the pic was taken from the roof of the Astronomical Centre which is situated just beside the Maha Mrityunjaya Temple.Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world.The city is rich in its culture,tradition.