Harishchandra Ghat - Varanasi

Dead bodies are brought here for cremation. Bodies are brought from thousands of kilometres away to be burned here. This ghat is named after King Harishchandra, who is said to have had to work as a Dom (caretaker of the crematorium) in order to keep his word.

Kings Harishchandra was famous for never refusing a guest and never telling a lie. He was a worshiper of Brahma. Indra told Brahma that he believed that Harishchandra’s devotion was not as strong as he made it appear to be. So in order to prove that it was, Brahma disguised himself as a Brahmin priest and asked the king for his entire kingdom. Harishchandra gave it. In order to give the priest payment (daksin) for performing some rituals the king became a worker at the crematorium at this ghat.

His wife was sold to a seller of flowers. When his son died of a snakebite his wife brought him to the burning ghat where her husband was working. Because she had no money to pay the cremation fee, she ripped her sari in half to pay the fee.

Brahma then restored the son back to life and gave the king back his kingdom. He also told Harishchandra that this ghat would be especially sacred and that it would be named after him.
 

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Dasasvamedha Ghat - Varanasi

This is the main bathing ghat in town, so it can be extremely crowded. The area around this ghat is the main center of activity in the city, especially for pilgrims and tourists. This ghat is full of pilgrims bathing in the holy Ganges.

It is said that Lord Brahma performed a Ten Horse Sacrifice here for king Divodasa. Das means ‘ten,’ aswa means ‘horse,’ and medha means ‘sacrifice.’ It is said that bathing here gives the same merits as received by doing the ‘ten horse sacrifice’ that were performed here.

On certain auspicious days up to 30,000 pilgrims may take bath here. Right next to this ghat there is the Shitala Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess that protects against smallpox.
 

Ghats - Varanasi

Dandi Ghat | Narada Ghat | Panchganga Ghat | Raj Ghat | Shivala Ghat

Gularia Ghat | Vaccharaja Ghat | Cheta Singh Ghat | Manikarnika Ghat

Assi Ghat | Tulsi Ghat | Harishchandra Ghat | Dasasvamedha Ghat

Chauki Ghat to Chaumsathi Ghat | Hanuman Ghat | Mahanirvani Ghat

Scindia Ghat | Man Mandir Ghat to Lalita Ghat | Dashashwamedha Ghat

Munsi Ghat | Manasarovara Ghat | Bhadaini Ghat | Janaki Ghat

Mira Ghat | Adi Keshava Ghat