Varanasi is known for its extraordinary temples, ghats, and age-old traditions which makes it one of the most favoured destinations to explore. This ancient city has a mystical beauty that can be felt by visitors. The temples, the vibrant morning markets, the sunrise over the river and the spiritual rituals that take place, make this ghat a truly unforgettable experience. It offers a unique blend of the historic and the modern culture. People from all faiths and walks of life are welcomed in this holy city. Local markets, bustling streets, ancient temples and the holy river Ganga make Varanasi an ideal tourist destination for those seeking to explore the beauty of India.
The Ghats of Varanasi are one of its most beautiful and iconic features. During the days, the Ghats fill with the sound of Hindu chants and the holy river is illuminated by the thousands of flickering oil lamps that float on the river. This is a stunningly beautiful sight that cannot be put into words. It is no wonder why tourists come from all over the world to experience the unique beauty of the Ghats in Varanasi. When talking about the beautiful ghats of varanasi, no one can miss to mention the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat. The Dashashwamedh Ghat is a truly beautiful site that provides a unique window into the incredible history and culture of one of the oldest civilizations in the world.
Dashashwamedh Ghat – The Ghat of Hindu Faith
Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most important ghats in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is on the Ganges River and very close to the Vishwanath Temple. The journey to the Dashashwamedh Ghat is truly magical. Located in Varanasi, this holy destination has been attracting pilgrims for centuries. Today, Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most important ghats in Varanasi, and the surrounding area is a vibrant centre of activity. The Ganga Aarti, which is held daily at this ghat, attracts thousands of devotees from all corners of India. At this ghat, you can see a group of sadhus doing holy things. Pilgrims come here to do a wide range of religious practices and activities.
From the glorious temples to the lively markets, this sacred site has something for every kind of traveller. It is home to a variety of shops and vendors, selling a wide range of goods. In addition, there are a number of restaurants and eateries in the area, making it an ideal spot to take a break and enjoy the local cuisine.
The buildings that line up the ghat, facing the Ganga River, are of various kinds. There are temples made of red brick and carved stone, temples adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. There are also numerous shrines and temples dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses. Dashashwamedh Ghat is still an interesting symbol of Hinduism, and it is one of the most-visited tourist places in Varanasi.
Sights & Scenes of Dashashwamedh Ghat
The Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi is one of the most beautiful sites in the world. During the day, the ghat is a constant source of activity with worshippers offering prayers and devotional offerings, pilgrims perform traditional rituals, and visitors flocking in from all over the world to experience the beauty and atmosphere. This ghat is well-known for the Agni Puja, which is done here every evening by a group of priests who worship Lord Shiva, the Ganges River, Surya, Agni, and the whole world.
Tourists can see a beautiful and colourful view of the riverfront. The morning and evening scenes of the sun rising and setting are amazing and give the Ganges water a unique color. If you go to the place early in the morning, you can see the beautiful scene of the sun rising. Ganga aarti is the thing that makes this place most well-known. It takes place every day at dusk and is a big, lively event. As evening turns into night, the atmosphere becomes absolutely magical with rows of oil lamps and fireworks lighting up the night sky.
Knowing the History of Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat has been around for a very long time. There are two Hindu stories about the ghat. One says that Brahma built it to welcome Shiva, and the other says that this is where Lord Brahma is said to have sacrificed 10 horses for Lord Shiva, and the name ‘Dashashwamedh’ itself translates to ‘ten sacrificial horses’.
Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the oldest and most important ghats of Varanasi. It is believed to be the site of the Brahmaresta, where worship of Brahma was first performed by Lord Brahma himself. People also think that the Bhara Shiva Naga kings did the ten horse sacrifice in the second century. Even before Varanasi was known as the City of Temples, it has been a sacred centre of pilgrimage for Hindus.
Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao built the current ghat in the year 1748. A few decades later, in 1774, the Queen of Indore, Ahilyabahi Holkar, rebuilt the ghat. On December 7, 2010, a small blast shook the southern end of the aarti at the Sitla Ghat. This hurt 37 people, six of whom were foreigners and two people were killed. It was claimed by the Indian Mujahideens that they were responsible for the attack.
Religious Significance of Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the most sacred places in Varanasi and it holds great religious significance. Many pilgrims make the journey to Dashashwamedh Ghat to experience its deep religious significance. People come to the ghat to bath in the Ganges River and to perform religious rituals. There are several ancient temples as well as numerous small religious shrines nearby.
When you spend some time here, you feel like you’re sitting in heaven. The beautiful scenes of the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening give the water of the Ganges its unique color. Some followers come here every morning for taking a holy bath in the Ganges and to pay homage to their Lord.
In old texts, Dashashwamedha Ghat is called Rudra Sarovar Ghat, and the part of the Ganga that flows in front of it is called Rudra Sarovar Tirtha. It is believed that a holy dip in Rudra Sarovar Tirtha will wash away all your sins and help you break free from the circle of birth and death.
Aarti Timing at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Ganga Aarti is a rite that takes place every day at evening. It is a way to pray to the Ganges river. Several monks carry the deepam and move it up and down while singing bhajans in a regular way. The Ganga Aarti begins soon after sunset and goes on for about 45 minutes. Pandits in saffron clothes perform the aarti, which starts with the blowing of the shell. After this, large brass lamps are lit and moved in perfect circles.
Because the sun sets later in the summer, the Aarti starts around 7 pm. In the winter, it starts around 6 pm. Every evening, a lot of people meet at the ghat to watch the event. People can watch the hour-long ceremony from the ghat or from boats parked along the river bank. At 5 p.m. in the evening, people start to arrive at the place where the aarti will take place so they can get the best view.
Best time to Visit Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat is the place where majority of religious celebrations take place. Although, you can visit the ghat any day and on any time but evening will be the best time as Ganga aarti will happen. On the occasion of Dev Deepawali, the ghats are lit up with traditional earthen lights called diyas. Ganga Mahotsav is a classical music event put on by the State Government. It takes place in the Ganga in front of the ghats, where a large platform is built out of boats. Apart from these celebrations, one can visit this ghat on Kartik purnima. Special Ganga aarti is performed on this day that will surely mesmerize your journey. However, no entry fee is required to visit any ghat or to attend the Ganga aarti.
How to Reach Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat is located near Kashi Vishwanath Temple. People can visit this ghat by different modes of transportation. Usually due to high crowd, rickshaws are the most comfortable mode to reach this ghat.
By airways: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is the closest airport if you want to reach Varanasi. The airport is in Babatpur and is about 25.5 km from the Dashashwamedh Ghat. From airport, you can take auto or book taxi to reach the Dashashwamedh Ghat.
By Roadways: To get to Dashashwamedh Ghat, you have to first get to Godowlia. Several road transports are available from different places to reach Dashashwamedh Ghat. After getting there, the Ghat was about a 5–10 minute walk away. Only small vehicle like bike, bicycle, and sometimes tricycle rickshaws are allowed to go up to the ghat.
By Railways: Varanasi Railway Station is about 4.5 km from the Dashashwamedh Ghat. To get to Dashashwamedh Ghat from the Varanasi Railway Station you have to take an Auto Rickshaw to nearby stop to Rathyatra or Godaulia. After you get to Godowlia, it will take you 5 minutes to walk to Dashashwamedh Ghat because you can’t drive after this point.
Nearby Places to Explore
Aside from the Dashashwamedh Ghat, there are other places to visit in Varanasi that are great for sightseeing and learning about the area. Some of these are mentioned below.
Manikarnika Ghat: Manikarnika Ghat is on the side of Ganges in the city of Varanasi. It is situated on a walking distance from Dashashwamedh Ghat. It is one of the greatest places for cremations along the holy riverfronts. People from all walks of life come here to wait for the end of their lives. Every day, between 200 and 240 bodies are burned from dawn to dusk. With the help of local guides, tourists can watch the whole process of cremation from the riverbanks or from a boat on the Ganges River.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. The distance between this temple and ghat can be just covered on foots. It is one of the oldest and most renowned temples in Varanasi. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is located on the western bank of the holy river Ganges. The temple compound holds multiple shrines dedicated to other gods and goddesses of Hinduism. A visit to this sacred site is a must for both Hindus and tourists who want to experience the incredible glory of this temple.
Kaal Bhairav Temple: The Kaal Bhairav Temple is in the Bharonath near Vishweshwarganj in Varanasi. It will take about 15 minutes to reach this temple from Dashashwamedh Ghat. It is a must-see for Lord Vishwanath worshippers in Kashi. It’s important to go to the Kaal Bhairav temple because the journey isn’t thought to be complete without it. It is believed that no one can enter or leave Kashi without his permission.
Godowlia market: Godowlia market is the oldest and most renowned market in Varanasi. It is near the well-known Vishwanath temple. The busy lanes of Godowlia Market are where shopaholics go when they visit Varanasi. It is known for its silk embroidery and wide range of goods, such as clothes, jewelry, and handicrafts.
Dashashwamedh Ghat Photos
Foreign tourists are going towards the Dashashwamedh ghat for attending the Gange aarti in the evening. They are more near to the ghat at the boat. Some of the boats are waiting at the ghat for having the tourists.
What an awesome pic of the Dashashwamedh ghat caught by our photographer in the early morning. Everything is looking yellowish color in the morning because of the ghat lights. The sky looks of the real pure natural blue color. Local devotees are coming to the ghat for bathing and paying homage to their God.
This is the beautiful picture of the Prayag ghat near to the Dashashwamedh ghat. A Gangotri Seva Samiti building is looking very nice from the ghat. A temple at the ghat looks very attractive where a large crowd of the devotees are taking bath in the early morning. Some of them are offering Jal to the God Sun and some are going tp the temple.