Varanasi is a place which offers you the perfect opportunity to sit and relax by the side of the Ganges. The place has such an atmosphere that you will feel like sitting by the river on the ghats or roaming around the narrow lanes and alleys all throughout the day and never even feel tired! Such is the charm of Varanasi.
If you are planning on a trip to this mesmerizing 3000 years old city, make sure that you arrange for accommodation any of the 4 star hotels in Varanasi that are near the ghats, especially the Dashashwamedha Ghat.
Why the Dashashwamedha Ghat?
All the ghats in Varanasi are connected with each other. You can actually pass from one ghat to another, without even realising it. Only when you look up the walls will you realize that you are on another ghat, since that where the names are written. Of all the 84 or more ghats that this place has the Dashashwamedha Ghat is the most popular and lively of them all. This is the place where the evening offering to the Ganges is done. 4-5 priests stand in a line facing the Ganges and make their offerings to the holy river, which is the lifeline of this city. So this is where the hub of Varanasi is and if you stay near this place you would get a feel of the real life of the city.
The history of the Dashashwamedha Ghat
This ghat is believed to be amongst the oldest in the city and might have existed since the time this city was born, which would roughly date back to the days of the Aryan civilization! Generally when artefacts or monuments are so old, it is hard to ascertain their date and hence get a proper idea of what truly led to the construction of the ghat or who did it. There are two legends however to supplement for the lack of historical data. It is believed that Lord Brahma had built this ghat himself so that he could welcome Lord Shiva in Varanasi. Another legend suggests that Brahma had performed the auspicious ashwamedha sacrifice over here, with ten horses and hence this ghat is named such. In fact a small plaque right at the entrance of the Dashashwamedha Ghat, talks about the second legend.
It is believed that the old name of this ghat is Brahmadwar or the door of Bramha and it was also known by the names of Ghoraghat and Rudrasarovar. What makes this ghat so auspicious is the belief that whatever one does at this ghat is something that remains life-long with him or her. So people come here to take a holy dip in the Ganges, which washes away all their sins and hence one can lead a more peaceful and comparatively “sin-free” life after this. People engage in prayers and make offerings too. It was finally in 1748 that Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao renovated this ghat and gave it its present shape. Since it is a popular tourist destination, you will find a lot of four star hotels in Varanasi, near this ghat.
The Dashashwamedha Ghat is a place which you will surely visit when in Varanasi. Make sure that you know enough about its glorious past, to enjoy it in its entirety.
You must log in to post a comment.