Varanasi assi ghat

Assi Ghat on the Ganga is the southern-most ghat of Varanasi. Assi is known to be the Haridwar area of Kashi. Assi Ghat has immense religious and historical significance. Assi Ghat finds mention in Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Agni Purana and Padma Purana. The road of Panchkosi Parikrama breaks away from the Ganges at Assi. There are several temples, “akharas” and monasteries in the area adjoining Assi Ghat. Just above Assi Ghat, there is a temple of Lord Jagannath. In the enclosure of Jagannath Temple, there are spacious courtyards, blocks of buildings and a temple. The whole place has rather a dilapidated look. It is most frequented during a Mela, a religious fair or gathering. The Assi River turns into a water stream of some volume during the rains but remains almost dry for the greater part of the year. As per legend, goddess Durga after achieving a victory over demons Shumbha & Nishumbha, rested at Durga Kund, close to Assi Ghat, and let fall her sword (assi means sword). The sword cut out in the ground, where it fell, created the river Assi. Where a water stream, i.e., a river meets with the Ganges, acquires great virtue and thus religious importance in Hindu way of life. Assi is regarded as one of the five pilgrimages (Panchatirtha) in Varanasi - Assi, Dasashwamedh, Varuna-Sangam, Panchganga and Manikarnika. To successively bathe in these five places/ ghats on the same day is a religious ritual or tradition to realize the cherished merit. A confluence (sangam) of a stream with the Ganges is often regarded as a spot of special sanctity. The most reputed ‘sangam’ is in Prayagraj or Allahabad. Sangam in Prayag is called as Triveni (Tri means three & veni means streams in Sanskrit language) where three rivers Ganga, Yamuna & invisible Saraswati mingle together.

There are many temples and buildings above Assi Ghat. There is a small but pretty recognizable ‘akhara’ or monastery belonging to the Nanak-Panthis (believers of the preaching of Guru Nanak). With an inconsistency, by no means unusual, there is on the platform a small temple containing an image of Mahadeva. Another temple of importance is Laxmi Narayan Temple, a classical example of Panchayatan style of Nagar temple architecture. Also called “Panch-Mandir” – five temples are grouped together. Next to this, a new temple has been erected. Three temples are dedicated to Vishnu-Lakshmi, Lord Shiva and Krishna-Radha. Other two temples are dedicated to Ram, Sita & Laxman. It is a very beautiful temple in a narrow alley leading from the Sankat Mochan Temple to Assi Ghat. Adjoining the Assi Ghat is a dainty building built by the Maharani of Benares. This building is not regularly occupied, but is kept for use at special festivals & occasions. Assisangameshwar Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva), Nrisingh Temple, Baneshwar Temple and Mayureshwar Temple are other famous temples at Assi Ghat.

Assi Ghat holds immense importance for Hindus. Great saint Tulsi Das meditated, wrote Ramcharitmanas and left for heavenly abode at Assi Ghat. Subah-e-Benares, a cultural fiesta, is organized every morning on Assi Ghat. Ganga Pujan (Ganges Worship), cultural presentations, ‘hawan’- the ‘ahuti’, sun-rise, boat ride, classical music, yoga etc take place as routine features. The larger chunk of visitors constitutes of students of BHU, long-term researchers & foreigners. It is an ideal place to delve into the real culture and essence of Varanasi