|
Rajendra Prashada
Ghat: In 1979 in memory and honor
of the first President of India (1950-1962), Rajendra
Preside (1884-1963), this ghat was renamed, and made pucca
by the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi.
In fact, this ghat was
northern extension of Dasasvamedha Ghat. And until late
nineteenth century a stone statue of horse was at the ghat
witnessing the "ten-horses sacrifices" performed by Bhara
Siva Nagas in second century, that is how the old name "Ghoda
Ghat" ("Horse Ghat"). It is believed that the same horse
image is shifted to Sankatamocana temple. The myth refers
those servants of Bhara Siva Nagas taken bath here.
Mana Mandira Ghat:The
old name of this ghat was Somesvara, but in Cc.E. 1585 when
Raja Savai Mana Singh (of Amber) made his palace and ghat
this is named after him. This ghat is "known primarily for
magnificent building with exquisite, ornately carved window
carvings" (Eck 1982:228). On the top of the floor is a
Hindu Observatory built by Savai Jai Singh-II (1686-1743);
the other places where he established such observatories are
Jaipur, Delhi, Mathura and Ujjain. Under the direction of
his astrologer-minister, Jagannatha, the king built this
observatory during the period of 1710-1737. There are four
main astronomical instruments there for calculation and
observation. The repairing and renovation were made in
1850s and again in 1912 under the patronage of the King of
Jaipur.
The closely shrines at the top of the ghat are
Somesvara, Dalabhesvara, Ramesvara and Sthuladanta Vinayaka,
s. In the river lies the Prophase Tirtha. On the occasion
of Holi, the festival of color, falling on the last day of
Phalguna (Feb.-March), people perform celebration at the
Dalabhesvara shrine.
Tripura Bhairavi Ghat:This ghat is
named after the Tripura Bhairavi shrine, a female partner of
Tripuresvara whose image also exists there. Another
important shrine is of Varahi, one of the nine
mother-goddess. In late eighteenth century king of Banaras
and Pt. Mayananda Giri had patronize to make this this ghat
pucca.
Meera
Ghat: This ghat represents two old
sites of Jarasandhesvara and Vrddhadity, which were
converted by Mira Rustam Ali in 1735. Presciently, in the
name of these two shrines pilgrims throw flowers and
raw-rice in the Ganga and remember them. The shrines and
images in the vicinity are Vrdhaditya, Asss Vinayaka, Yajna
Varahaand Visalaksi ("The Wide-Eyed", one of the 52
Sakti-pithas of goddesses). Another important site is
Dharmakupa consisting of a sacred well surrounded by five
temples, and also Divodasesvara lingam. The temple of
Dharmesa is associated to the myth of Yama's (Lord of Death)
power over the fate of the dead everywhere on the earth,
except in Kasi (cf. KKh 78, 79, 81).
With the notion that due to entrance of low
castes ("untouchables") the temple of Visvesvara /
Visvanatha became impure, Svami Karapatri-Ji, a very
conservative Brahmin and a cult-chief, has established a
"New visvanatha Temple" in 1956 at the top of the ghat. On
the steps, under a pipata tree, the water-pouring ritual in
honour of ancestors is performed. There also exists a 'Sulabha
Saucalaya' ("easy toilet house").
Phuta/Naya
Ghat:This was an old site of
Tajnesvara Ghat and was made pucca by Svami Mahesvarananda
in mid nineteenth century. In the closely stream lies the
Visala Gaga Tirtha.
Nepali Ghat:Hovel (1905: 130)
described this ghat:
"Where,
recessed in the stone embankment, and completely covered by
the river in the rainy season, is a pretty little shrine of
Ganga, the Ganges, represented as a female figure seated on
crocodile. Above it a stair-case leads to the Nepalese
temple, a very picturesque building, half-hidden by
magnificent tamarind and pippal trees. It is built chiefly
of wood and brick; the double-storied roof, with great
projecting eaves supported by brackets, is characteristic of
the architecture of Nepal and of other sub-Himalayan
districts".
The ghat is patronized by a Nepalese, and was
built pucca in c. 1902 by Nanhi Babu. The area is dominated
by Nepalese residents (Nepali Khapra).
Lalita Ghat:This ghat is named
after the famous goddesss Lalita in Kasi and also in Prayaga.
The well-known lingam of Ganga Kesava and shrines of
Gangatiya, Kasi Devi, Lalita Devi and Bhagiratha Tirtha are
affiliated to this site. People believe that a glimpse of
Lalita Devi brings the same reward as circumambulating the
entire world.
At the top of the ghat, close to the Nepali Ghat,
as described earlies, lies the Nepali Temple Built in c.
1841 under the patronage of king of Nepal and assumed that
the lingam there replicates the famous Pasupatisvara at
Kathmandu. The temple has some wooden carvings of the
erotic scenes; and all the four gateways and doors are fully
decorated with geomantic architectural frame.
Bauli/Umaraogiri/Amroha
Ghat:The
old name of this ghat was Raja Rajesvari Ghat and was made
in early nineteenth century by a rich merchant, Babu Kesava
Deva. In the nearby stream lies the Bramhanala tirtha.
Jalasayi Ghat:Somehow in diverted
form this ghat is also called as Jalasen Ghat. In fact,
this and the followed one both are part of the cremation
ghat. The name itself indicates "putting dead body into
water" as part of ritual before putting the corpse on the
funeral pyre. In the mid-nineteenth century the nearby
building and the ghat were built.
Khirki Ghat:The name of the ghat
tilerally means "the window" (Khirki) from where attendants
can watch the cremation. Close to it in 1940 Baldeo Dasa
Birla has built a pilgrims' rest house. Under a deserted
papal tree there are five Sati shrines.
Presently both of the above ghats (no. 51, 52) are defunct
ional and present a view of nuisance – smoke-scope and
deaths cape!
Manikarnika Ghat:
Two ancient sacred waterfront sites make this ghat, viz.
Siddha Vinayaka and Svargadvafresvara. Among the five
important and sacred ghats, this is the thired one from the
south to north. This is eulogized vividly in the KKh (26;
119; 122; 33.103; 34.17-34). This is popularly called as
"the great cremation ground" (Mahasmasana). A myth mentions
that Lord Siva gives taraka mantra ("prayer of the
crossing") in the ear of the dead, therefore the form of
Siva as Tarakesvara, (the temple is at the ghat), is
propitiated whenever a Hindu dies. The name Manikarnika
derives its origin from the dropping rings of Siva during
His transcendental dance here. The historical sources
mention this site in the Gupta inscriptions of C.E. 4th
century. This is the first ghat made pucca by the two king
brothers in C.E. 1302; and was rebuilt and repaired in 1791
Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the entire ghat. Again in 1872
repairing and renovations were done.
In the vicinity are the shrines of
Mankarnikesvara (a little far in the upper side of the
lane), Mahesvara (open air lingam at the ghat) and Siddha
and Manikarna Vinayakas. The temple of Manikarnikesvara is
the most important temple in this area, located at the top,
slightly into the city and is approachable from the ghat by
taking a steeply ascending lane south of the Kunda. "The
lingam of this temple-set dramatically underground at the
bottom of a deep shaft-could at one time be reached by a
tunnel originating on the ghat".
There also exists a sacred pond, Cakra-Puskarini
Kunda (Discus Lotus-Pool"), and Visnu's feet impression,
Carana Paduka. According to puranic myth long before the
Ganga arrived at the heels of Bhagiratha, the
Cakka-Puskarini Kunda was present.
Bajairio Ghat:ajairao Pesava built
this ghat in c. 1735 that is how it is named after him, and
also a palace. Hovel has described the condition as:
"Before the basement had been raised many feet, the
tremendous weight of the massive masonry caused a landslip,
which made the whole fabric topple over, so that the work
had to be abandoned. The unfinished façade and the ghat
steps still remain." In fact, the entire structure sunk
several meters into the earth since its erection (Shirring
1868: 72).
Sindhia
Ghat:Formerly it was known as
Viresvara Ghat, after the temple of same name lying at the
top. In 1780 Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore made this ghat
pucca.
Sankatha Ghat:Its old name
Yamesvara Ghat after the name of the shrine. At the top in
the lane lies temples of Yamesvara and Hariscandresvara,
which might be thought of the old cremation area; still at
present on the occasion of Yama Dvitiya devotees take sacred
bath. In late eighteenth century king of Baroda made this
ghat, but in 1825 Beniram Pundit’s widow, known as "Panditain",
and nephewa built this ghat pucca together with building
structure of the temple of Sankatha Devi. |
