History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dashashwamedh Ghat is considered to be one of the most significant and famed Ghat on the bank of holy River Ganga in Varanasi - one of the Saptpuri of India, in state Uttar Pradesh. It is located very close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple – one of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. During the Kashi VishwanathDham Phase 1 projects, walkway from temple to Ghat has been created so devotee can easily reach to River Ganga to take holy bath. Ghat holds great spiritual importance across the India, It is said that it is the most spectacular Ghat among all of the ones present. Couple of interesting legends are associated with this Dashashwamedh Ghat. This Ghat has both the religious and historical aspects. It is said that the Lord Brahma after returning to Kashi had completed his ten Ashvamedha yagna here in this Ghat. This place is so called as Dashashwamedh Ghat. It is also said that this Ghat was made by Lord Brahma to welcome Lord Shiva. In Varanasi in total there are 84 Ghats among them this is one of the famous Ghats among several which are told to be as the most Spiritual Ghats among all. There are five Ghats which are called as Panchatirtha Ghat. Aasi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Panch Ganga Ghat, Aadi Kesav Ghat, Mani Kanika Ghat. The present Ghat is built by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao in 1748. After that, Ahilyabahi Holkar renovated in 1774. As per some local belief and ancient scripture mentioned that that a local king performed the ten horse sacrifice in 2nd century.
The most important aspect of the Dashashwamedh Ghat is the evening, Ganga Arti, performed in every evening at 6.30 PM. The Arti is offered to Lord Shiva, Maa Ganga, Suryadev, Agnidev and Brahma. The Arti is performed by many Priests and the devotees as well at Ghat. The priests carry a long Deepam with many diyas and the devotees with one Diya for the Arti. The Arti begins with the blow of the conch shell. The devotees chant the Bhajan with it and ring the Ghanti which gives a more astonishing view to look at. The Arti usually takes 45 minutes to complete and the devotees fully enjoy this time. Every day thousands of tourists come to watch this Arti. Special Arti are held every Tuesday. In Kartik Purnima thousands of devotees come to watch the magnificent view of the evening Arti. In morning time many devotees come here to take the holy bath and perform the regular Hindu rituals by offering Diya and flowers to the Ganga River. Also you can spent quality time with spiritual thought and meditation here. There are a number of Hindu temples nearby to the Ghat and boating is also available to grace the beauty of the Ghat. You can also enjoy the sunrise and sunset here on bank of most holy River of Gange and shopping in local market near temple.
How to reach Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dashashwamedh Ghat is located at just 5 min walk from Kashi Vishwnath Temple and easily accessible from each part of Varanasi. Varanasi is highly famous and one of the most visited place of India due to Kashi Vishwnath temple, one of the holiest shrine, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga, located in one of the Sapta Puri or holiest city of Varanasi Uttar Pradesh, India. Millions of devotee and tourist around the world reached here with great faith in Lord Shiva, thus it is very well connected with all major cities of India via Road, Rail and Air network. The Dashashwamedh Ghat is located at just 5 km away from the Varanasi railway station and you can reach temple from any corner of cities via cab or rickshaw. Varanasi has major railway junction from where you can get train to all the cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Indire, Allahabad, Dehradun etc. at very high frequency. Varanasi has also Airport from where you can flight to several cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Gaya, Hyderabad, Bhuvaneshwar etc. Also Varanasi is import district of Uttar Pradesh thus it is well connected by state and national highway. Varanasi is located at 120 km from Allahabad, 331 km from Kanpur, 319 km from Lucknow, 252 km from Patna, 220 km from Ayodhya, 250 km from Chitrakoot, 252 km from Fatehpur, 200 km from Gorakhpur, 260 km from Gaya.
