Situated on the bank of the Ganga River, Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. This Ghat is located near the very famous temple of Varanasi known as Vishwanath Temple.

The two very famous myths are linked with this Gath. One of them is that this Ghat was established by the Hindu God Bharama in honour of Lord Shiva whereas the second myth is that during Ashwamedh Yajna Bhrama gave up his ten houses.

A beautiful celebration of Ganga Aarti is performed at this Ghat to worship Ma Ganga. This worship of the River Ganga is a continuous process for centuries and was done by the holy priests by moving the deepam up and down.

The time to start Ganga Aarti at this Ghat is 7.00 pm in Summer and 6.00 in winter when the sunset is in the evening. A large number of Hindu devotees and tourists visit this place from all over the world watch this eye-catching Ganga Aarti.

2. Shivala Ghat in Varanasi

Dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Shiva the Shivala Ghat was built by King Balwant Singh in the holy city of Varanasi situated in Uttar Pradesh, India. Most of the parts of Shivala Ghat are occupied by the South Indian People who belong to the Hindu religion.

The famous palace of King Sanjay Vikram Shah built in the 19th century is located near this Ghat. This place is more famous for the occupancy of South Indians than the Shivala Ghat. 

This ghat is not much use for the bathers and looks dryer than many other ghats in Varanasi. On the other hand, this ghat is one of the cleanest that’s in Varanasi and is located at a reasonable high which gives a beautiful view of Ma Ganga and other nearby places.

The Shivala Ghat is fully equipped with hotels of all budgets some of which give an eye-catching view of the Ganga and due to this reason a large number of tourists and religious Hindus visit here from all over the world.

3. Manmandir Ghat in Varanasi

Known as the Someswara Ghat the Manmandir Ghat is located on the north side of the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat in the holy city of Varanasi in Utter Pradesh, India. This Ghat is famous for its extreme art. 

The lingam of the Hindu God lot Shiva known as Someshwara is also found at this place. The beautiful palace of Maharaja Man Singh is also located at this place and this Ghat was built by him sometime in the 16th century.

There are a large number of attractions associated with this Man Mandir Ghat like the cleft of decorated windows and others. The balcony of the Ghat is located on the north side of this Ghat and from there the visitors can have a beautiful view of the River Ganga.

Due to the beauty and holy values of this Ghat, a large number of devotees and tourists visit this place from all over the world. The other points of attention of this place are the palace of Maharaja Man Singh equipped with the royal observatory and the Jantar Mantar located on the roof of the Palace.

4. Triveni Ghat in Uttarakhand

Situated on the bank of the Holy River Ganga Triveni Ghat is the most famous and biggest Ghat in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. This Ghat is always full of devotees and tourists who visit here to clean up their sins by taking a bath or a holy dip in the river Ganga.

It is believed that because hunted by an arrow by a renowned hunter Jara the Hindu God Lord Krishna visited the Triveni Ghat. This Ghat is very famous among Hindus because they do the last rituals and s rites after the death of their family members or friends.

At dusk, this Ghat is famous for Ganga Aarti in which the pundit (a holy man) does the prayer of River Ganga and speaks the whole mantra. The environment here becomes more religious with the chant of brass bells and the flow of Diya burned with fire from inside with the aid of cotton and oil.

The most visited places on Triveni Ghat are the Triveni Mata Mandir, Gita Mandir, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, and boat riding which lure tourists to visit this Ghat throughout the year from different parts of the world.

5. Gau Ghat in Haridwar

Situated in the holy city of Haridwar near Subhash Ghat on the southern side, Gau Ghat relives from the sin of cow sloughing. According to Hindu mythology, the killing of a cow and Brahmins is the greatest sin and opens the door to hell.

After cremation, the ashes of Indian political leaders like Jawahar Lal Nehru, Mathama Gandhi and Indira Gandhi were spread in the holy water of the River Ganga. This Ghat is also used to solace family members and friends. 

This Ghat is very near to Har ki Pauri and Haridwar Railway Station and therefore it is very easy to reach this place. Despite this Ghat has very little popularity a large number of Hindu devotees and foreign tourists visit Gau Ghat from all over the world.  

6. Bajrang Ghat in Madhya Pradesh 

Established in the year 1997 the Bajrang Ghat is situated in a very small village in the Khargone District of Madhya Pradesh, India. This place is a hub of education and temples and therefore this place is recognised as one of the most important places in Madhya Pradesh. 

The most visited temples near Bajrang Ghars are Gaimukh, Kamtha Gondia, Kamtha Lahee Ashram Gondia, Shiv Mandir at Balaghat Ghat, Hanuman Mandir at Hanuman Chowk Balaghat, Dada Koteshwardham at Lanji,  Shayamasundri Kali Bari,  Gaymukh, Tumsar Chandpur and more. 

The educational places near Bajrang Ghat are Vivak Joyti Balaghat, Government Ground Balaghat, Leelawati Group of Institute, Wings Dance Institute,  Future Foundation Balagarh, Raj Shukla, Shrew Balaji Institute of Technology, Parampara Music and Dance Academy, and more. 

This is the perfect evidence of a rich culture of religion, education and therefore a large number of devotees,  and students of all tastes visit this place from all parts of the country including some foreigners. 

7. Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi

The most famous Ghat for cremation at the Bank of Holy Ganga is the most religious and old Ghat known as the Manikarnika Ghat situated in Varanasi City of Uttar Pradesh in the northern part of India. 

This Ghat is known as the holiest Ghat among Hindus where everyone has the desire to do cremation of their nearest and dearest and the residual ceremonies at this Ghat. As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that the person who gets cremation at this Ghat is relieved from the undesirable rebirth circle. 

It is believed that Manikaran Kund (a well in this Ghat) is built by the Hindu’s most worshipped God Lord Vishnu.  Therefore,  every holy Hindu devotee wants to visit this place at least once in his/her lifetime. Religious scholars from all over the world visit this Ghat to understand the Hindu culture,  religion and Hinduism. 

It is therefore established from the above paragraphs that India especially on the north side is full of holy Ghats where all the ceremonies from birth to death are performed. The main places where these Ghats are situated is Varanasi. Rishikesh, Haridwar and Prayagraj were at least once a must-be visit in our lifetime. 

8. Assi Ghat in Varanasi

Also, this city is famous for the Hindu religious festivals which mostly are celebrated on this Ghat in the proper Hindu culture way. The holy Assi Ghat becomes overcrowded from its captivity (22000 – 22500) during festivals like Shivratri because a large number of Hindu devotees visit here to perform holy activities including worship. 

The holy city Varanasi (Banaras) is mostly visited not only by Indians but also by tourists from all parts of the world to see the brotherhood of the mixed culture people of the city, the beautiful morning of Banaras, and above all the Assi Ghat.

FAQ on Important Ghats in India

1. What are “Ghats” in the Indian geographic context?

In India, Ghats refer to:

• Mountain ranges or escarpments (e.g., Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats), or
• Stepped riverfronts leading down to a river (e.g., Varanasi Ghats).

The meaning depends on the region.

SECTION A: MOUNTAIN GHATS

2. What are the Western Ghats?

The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage mountain range running parallel to the western coast of India.

• States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
• Known for: Biodiversity hotspots, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries.

3. Why are the Western Ghats important?

• One of the world’s eight hottest biodiversity hotspots
• Source of major south Indian rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri)
• Monsoon regulator
• Home to endemic species like the Nilgiri tahr and lion-tailed macaque

4. What are the Eastern Ghats?

A discontinuous mountain chain running along the east coast of India.

• States: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu
• Lower in height and less continuous than the Western Ghats.

5. How are the Western Ghats different from the Eastern Ghats?

Feature	Western Ghats	Eastern Ghats
Continuity	Continuous	Discontinuous
Height	Higher	Lower
Biodiversity	Very high	Moderate
Monsoon role	Strong influence	Limited
UNESCO sites	Yes	Very few

6. Are the Nilgiris part of the Ghats?

Yes. The Nilgiri Hills form the junction of the Western and Eastern Ghats and contain famous hill stations like Ooty and Coonoor.

7. What are some important passes (ghats) in the Western Ghats?

• Bhor Ghat (Maharashtra)
• Thal Ghat (Maharashtra)
• Palghat Gap (Kerala–Tamil Nadu)
• Charmadi Ghat (Karnataka)
• Aagumbe Ghat (Karnataka)

SECTION B: RIVER GHATS

8. What is a river ghat?

A series of steps leading to a river, used for:

• Bathing
• Rituals
• Cremation
• Festivals

Common in northern and central India.

9. Which city in India is famous for its ghats?

Varanasi (Kashi) is the most famous, with over 80 ghats along the Ganga.

10. What are some important Ghats in Varanasi?

• Dashashwamedh Ghat – for Ganga Aarti
• Manikarnika Ghat – cremation ghat
• Assi Ghat – popular among tourists and pilgrims
• Harishchandra Ghat – another cremation ghat
• Panchganga Ghat – confluence belief

11. What is special about Dashashwamedh Ghat?

It is the main ceremonial ghat of Varanasi and hosts the famous Ganga Aarti every evening.

12. Why is Manikarnika Ghat important?

It is the oldest cremation ground in Varanasi; Hindus believe cremation here grants liberation (moksha).

13. Other famous river ghats in India?

Haridwar

• Har Ki Pauri
• Brahmakund

Allahabad/Prayagraj

• Triveni Sangam Ghat

Ujjain

• Ram Ghat (on the Shipra River)

Nashik

• Ramkund Ghat (on the Godavari)

Puri (Odisha)

• Swargadwar Ghat (sacred cremation site)

SECTION C: CULTURAL & HISTORICAL FAQ

14. What are Ghats used for during festivals?

• Kumbh Mela: Ritual bathing
• Chhath Puja: Sunrise and sunset offerings
• Ganga Dussehra: River worship
• Diyas floated during Diwali and Dev Deepawali

15. Why are ghats important in Indian culture?

• Connect people to rivers, considered sacred
• Serve as centers of community gatherings
• Preserve architectural and religious traditions
• Key locations for life-cycle rituals (birth, marriage, death)

SECTION D: TRAVEL & TOURISM FAQ

16. Which ghats in India offer the best scenic views?

• Aagumbe Ghat (Karnataka) – Sunset point
• Malshej Ghat (Maharashtra) – Monsoon beauty
• Palghat Gap – Long mountain pass with scenic views
• Mahabaleshwar’s viewpoints overlooking Western Ghats

17. Which ghats are dangerous or difficult to drive on?

• Neral–Matheran Ghat (steep)
• Charmadi Ghat (sharp curves)
• Aagumbe Ghat (heavy rainfall & landslides)
• Valparai Ghats (40+ hairpin bends)

18. Are ghats in India protected areas?

Yes, many parts of the Western Ghats are protected through:

• National parks (Periyar, Bandipur, Silent Valley)
• Wildlife sanctuaries
• UNESCO Natural Heritage sites

19. What threats do India’s ghats face?

• Deforestation
• Urban encroachment
• Tourism pressure
• Water pollution (especially at river ghats)
• Climate change impacts