Best 10 Varanasi Ghats: Travel Blog and Guide

Varanasi has so many sides to it. The way the old part of town operates is totally different from the newer areas. “Ghats” are those steps leading down to the water. In Varanasi, they’re where all the chaos meets calmness─it's like the heart of everything happening.

This Varanasi travel blog is all about the ghats and How to experience Varanasi and the ghats on Ganges . After spending mornings (and sometimes evenings) there every day of our week-long trip to Varanasi, we feel like the ghats are where we belong!

Having been to Varanasi three times now, talking to Sadhus, priests, and exploring the heritage, I'm here to share stories, facts, and the true meaning of Varanasi ghats. You could say I'm a bit obsessed, but being at the ghats of Varanasi is like a dream come true for me.

---

Also read our post on practical and essential travel tips for Varanasi to know more on how to get here, when to go, how to get around and what to wear.

Varanasi History

Varanasi, like Jerusalem, Athens, Beijing, and Mecca, has thrived continuously for over four thousand years. Archaeological evidence at Rajghat, including ancient brick ruins, dates settlement existence to 600 BC.

For Hindus, Varanasi is steeped in mythological tales spanning billions of years. Growing up, I loved hearing stories from the Mahabharata, like Bhima’s journey to Kashi to marry King Kashi’s three daughters.

The most fascinating story I can relate to is how the city became where Lord Shiva himself lived.

Originally a hermit in the Himalayas, Shiva moved to Varanasi as his winter abode after marrying Parvathi, who found it more suitable than their Himalayan retreat. However, King Divodasa of Kashi initially opposed Shiva’s presence, fearing he would overshadow him. Shiva then moved to Mandara hills but sent messengers, including celestial beings like Surya and 65 Apsaras, who all fell in love with Varanasi and didn’t return to him.

Ultimately, Shiva’s son Ganesha intervened, offering liberation to Divodasa, who then left Varanasi. This allowed Shiva to establish Varanasi as his sacred winter dwelling, reflecting the city’s profound spiritual significance.

I truly believe in this story 100% – Once you fall in love with Varanasi, it’s hard to leave. You go to Varanasi to meet the crowd, not to avoid – However there are some places that aren’t crowded.

Varanasi is so enchanting that I would love to make my home on its ghats. Winter is the most beautiful time to visit Varanasi, from December to February, with fewer crowds, and it’s the perfect season for milk-based desserts like Malaiyo, which tastes best during this time.

What is the significance of the Ghats in Varanasi?

The Ghats in Varanasi are crucial riverfront steps along the Ganga, where locals perform religious rituals and cremations. According to Hindu belief, cremation at these ghats is believed to grant Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth, rooted in the legend of King Divodasa and Lord Shiva’s blessings. Today, Varanasi’s ghats continue to be central to Hindu spiritual practices and traditions.

Some of the ghats have palaces. For example Chet SIngh ghat features the grand Palace, named after Maharaja Chet Singh, the illegitimate son of Banaras’ first Maharaja, Balwant Singh.

---

Who built Varanasi Ghats and when?

Varanasi has 88 ghats spread along a 5.5km stretch, built over different dynasties, especially flourishing under the Maratha Empire in the 1700s from Maharashtra.

Originally, ghats were privately owned and sometimes exchanged between kings. For example, Lala Mishir Ghat, once owned by a Punjabi king, got renamed Rewan Ghat after Maharaja Rivan bought it in the late 1870s. Now the palace is converted into a hostel for students who learn music from Banaras Hindu University.

Where as Ganga Mahal ghat built in 1875 got a beautiful palace with a temple dedicated to Radha and Krishna.

In 2015, the Indian government started the “Clean Ganga” initiative, sprucing up the entire ghat stretch. I’ve been to Varanasi three times. As a kid, I remember the ghats being a bit messy with uneven steps. By 2015, things had improved a lot. On my latest visit, the ghats looked even cleaner, with nicely leveled stone steps.

Today, Varanasi’s ghats are looking better than ever, though keeping them clean is still a community effort. Luckily, you won’t see floating trash or debris anymore.

---

What makes Varanasi Ghats awesome?

Apart from its historical, cultural, and religious significance, the vibe and people on Varanasi’s ghats make it truly awesome. The ghats are a pool of emotions─you encounter people of all kinds, in various moods. Some mourn loved ones, while others shed tears of joy, thanking Maa Ganga or Shiva for blessings.

There are chai sellers, souvenir vendors earning a livelihood, Sadhus smoking marijuana, and seekers of inner peace. From anger, hunger, and exhaustion to love, death, smiles, joy, and sadness─the Varanasi ghats are a whirlwind of emotions.

Varanasi Ghats in Morning

The Ganga river adds charm and calmness to Varanasi’s chaotic backdrop. At sunrise, she glows bronze, looking almost divine. Pigeons and seagulls eagerly await their breakfast of namkeen. Babas take dips in the freezing water (especially in January), treating it like a heated pool, and apply ashes on their bodies.

Morning joggers, Fitness freaks who do it more by the riverside than at the gym, do push-ups on the steps. When you move towards the main worshipping ghats, priests adjust their big umbrellas, and some have already started Pooja. Sound of birds mewing and priests chanting, jogger’s footsteps and the glowing Ganga – I wish Ganga mornings get stretched further for the day.

By noon, devotees perform Pinda Pradhan solemnly, honoring their ancestors in silence. On cloudy days, when boat rides aren’t ideal, some ghats turn into cricket grounds, especially in the off-season. It’s a lively scene with joy, laughter, shouting, and even betting─almost like a World Cup match.

There are unique rules too: batsmen can’t hit a six towards the Ganga; if they do, they pay for the lost ball. A local kid, recruiting friends for the betting game, shared these house rules with us.

Meanwhile, at the cremation ghats, you’ll often see two to three bodies on wooden pyres at any given time.

Evenings at Varanasi Ghats

The boatmen and souvenir sellers get ready for visitors at dusk. Priests set up for their Ganga aarti ritual at Dashashwamedh Ghat, while the other ghats clear out, perfect for those seeking solitude.

After the magical ritual of lights “Ganga Aarti” at Dashashwamedh Ghat concludes, thousands of people leave the ghats.

By 10 pm, you can hear your own footsteps on the ghats. The wanderers settle in rooftop cafes of the ghats. A few Sadhus who perform night rituals arrive in quietness. The silhouette of Ganga ghats with ancient havelis glitters as a reflection on the Ganga.

Can you stay at Varanasi Ghats?

You can definitely find accommodations near the ghats in Varanasi. Many of these accommodations offer excellent river views. Guesthouses are more common than hotels directly on the ghats, and there are also hostels available for budget-conscious travelers.

Keep in mind that all these places to stay near the ghats are accessible only by foot.

---

Best 10 Ghats of Varanasi to explore

Honestly, visiting all 88 ghats isn’t really necessary and it’s not worth it because some ghats are not as well maintained as others. A few ghats are named after politicians and lack any historical significance.

So, here I have made a list of 10 best ghats ( Map link) you should explore in Varanasi. These are based on our experience and opinions.

1. Assi Ghat

Assi Ghat traditionally marks the southern end of the city and is the last major bathing ghat for pilgrims.The morning Ganga aarti ceremony, “Subah-e-Banaras,” takes place at this ghat.

It’s where the small Assi River meets the Ganga. Easily accessible and popular among pilgrims, Hindus bathe here before worshipping Lord Shiva in the form of a large lingam under a pipal tree.

I spent a lot of time at Assi Ghat in Varanasi with my parents, where my father performed a ritual for his deceased mother. The priest, who had a thousand-year-old lingam in his house, said you can find an ancient lingam in at least one out of every three houses at Assi Ghat.

I love that ghat for its spiritual vibe, with fewer souvenir and chai sellers. The quiet pipal tree and open-air lingam are what matter most to people who visit Assi Ghat.

2. Harishchandra Ghat

One of Varanasi’s two burning ghats is Harishchandra Ghat. According to mythology, it predates even Manikarnika Ghat and has been a primary cremation site in Varanasi. It’s named after King Harishchandra who was this ghat caretaker, known for his unwavering commitment to his promises.

He famously sold his wife and son to fulfill a vow to a sage and was later bought by a king from the Dom community, who oversee cremations in Varanasi.

At any time of day, you can see at least four pyres burning at Harishchandra Ghat. Although they introduced an electric crematorium here in 1987, most cremations still use traditional wooden pyres.

The ghat isn’t really clean─it’s always filled with wooden logs, cows, and other materials related to cremation.

I liked Harishchandra Ghat because you can learn more about Kashi’s history and the Dom community by talking to locals here than at Manikarnika, which tends to be more crowded.

3. Narada Ghat

Originally known as Kuvai Ghat, Narad Ghat is named after the sage Narada – A sage musician, story teller, traveller and a devotee of lord Vishnu. The ghat was constructed by a monastery chief, in late 1780s.

Narada holds a special place in Indian mythology where he cleverly tricks demons into certain acts that make them vulnerable to being defeated by gods. Indeed, he is revered, but infamous for instigating fights between people!

There’s a funny folklore that claims if two people take a dip together at Narada Ghat, they’ll end up having a serious quarrel. If one accidentally bathes here, tradition says they must perform a puja to Durga at the ghat to mitigate any conflict.

Narad Ghat doesn’t feature on the list of the most religiously significant ghats of Varanasi. Neither are there any cremations nor Aarti ceremonies held here. And nobody comes here to take a dip─ that’s what made me fall in love with Narad Ghat.

Narad Ghat is easily accessible and quieter, with fewer people around. The heritage buildings along the ghat sport wonderful graffiti. It’s a great spot in Varanasi if you’re seeking some quiet time.

From Narad Ghat to the next one, Raja Ghat (just about 100m away), you’ll find smaller groups performing rituals, often offering free meals to everyone. We were even offered a meal here, but since it was after lunch, we enjoyed fresh buttermilk offered by a friendly pilgrim and continued our walk.

4. Darbhanga ghat

The most photogenic of all ghats in Varanasi is Darbhanga Ghat. It shot to fame thanks to an old palace built in 1812 by Narayan Munshi, a minister from Nagpur. Later, the King of Darbhanga took over, giving the ghat its name. In 1994, Brijrama Hospitality turned the palace into a swanky hotel named “Brijrama Palace.”

The palace itself has tall towers with fancy edges. One tower even has an elevator, installed by the Darbhanga King, making it South Asia’s first elevator in a renovated fort.

Next to Darbhanga Ghat is Munshi Ghat, almost like its twin. What makes Munshi and Darbhanga unique is their peaceful vibe, unlike the busy Dashashwamedh Ghat. It’s a hotspot for Sadhus taking holy dips─more Sadhus than tourists. You’ll also find local bhang shops scattered around.

At the end of their steps, small shrines with octagonal roofs sit on the water, perfect for Sadhus and yoga buffs meditating.

Darbhanga and Munshi Ghat is what I recommend for earling morning walks or late night watching Ganga.

The boats here add to the chill vibe. Darbhanga Ghat is a haven for birds─pigeons love the octagonal platforms as dining spots, and in winter, seagulls join in, adding to the charm.

5. Ahilya Bai Ghat

Ahilyabai Ghat is the first ghat to be named in honour of a person, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. She is one of the fearless queens of India. Between 1778 and 1785, under her patronage, the ghat was completely renovated.

Located between Munshi Ghat and the renowned Dashashwamedh Ghat, this ghat captivates with its residential palace and several temples. It strikes a balance─neither crowded nor deserted─with beautiful Shikara-style small temples and shrines nestled at different levels along the ghat.

If you climb to the top, you can stand under one shrine and touch the roof of another temple. The view from the ghat and above it is equally stunning.

Plus, the temples here are still maintained by the Holkar family, so they are pretty tidy, with beautifully carved wooden doors.

Another unique aspect of Ahilyabai Ghat is that we found the highest number of marijuana smokers here.

Most wanderers and visitors stick to the lower part of the ghats, while the shrines in the upper levels are occupied by locals and sadhus taking puffs. When we climbed the steps, they left the area, leaving behind the smell of marijuana.

6. Dashashwamedh Ghat

Dashashwamedh Ghat is the most significant and busiest ghat in Varanasi for several reasons.

It’s considered the most auspicious because it’s believed to be where Lord Brahma conducted the Ashwamedha Yagna, a ritual involving the sacrifice of ten horses─hence the name “Dashashwamedh” (Dash meaning ten, and ashwa meaning horse).

Next, it’s where the magical evening ritual of lights “Ganga Aarti,” takes place. Ganga Aarti is one of the reasons why I love Varanasi so much. Dashashwamedh Ghat holds prominence as it is the closest ghat to Veronesi’s focal point, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

What makes Dashashwamedh Ghat a must-visit on your ghat exploration adventure is this place is like a movie! Never a dull moment.

There are no death-related rituals here. It’s a kind of happy, happy place. There are priests who assist you in making quick Ganga puja.

Then a few folks make a living by drawing “Naama” – a thick sandal or chandana paste over your head and draw Shiva’s third eye over it. It is a really common and cool thing among every visitor.

Then those who get haircuts done, some take dips, people like my husband take massages. Some dressed as Sadhus’ job is to pose for pictures to get clicked. Bead chains to toy sellers, chaiwalas to namkeen for birds

I can list at least hundred things that happen here – The best thing to do in Dashashwamedh ghat is to do “People watch”

7. Man Mandir Ghat

Want to feel like you’re in Rajasthan while in Varanasi? Man Mandir Ghat is your best bet. This ghat was formerly known as Somesvara Ghat until the Rajput king of Amber, Man Singh, built his palace here in 1585.

The Rajput-style palace with jharokha windows and carvings provides a fine backdrop to Man Mandir Ghat. It is also home to an astronomical observatory and “Jantar Mantar,” which I don’t recommend visiting – It isn’t maintained well.

The reason I include Man Mandir Ghat in the list of best Varanasi ghats to visit is that it is quieter and serves as a playground for local residents to play cricket!

Trust me, watching these matches is no less exciting than watching IPL.

Just catch hold of a kid who is chatty─very likely, he would have placed bets on one of the teams. He will clearly explain the home rules─what is considered as six and out!

8. Manikarnika Ghat

Even someone with just a little knowledge of Varanasi would have heard of and know “Manikarnika Ghat” as the burning ghat. For thousands of years, Hindus have chosen this place for cremation. Honestly, it’s a must-visit ghat in Varanasi, but may not be suitable for those who are sensitive─it’s all about death here!

It is one of the first ghats to have received stone pavement in the early 1300s and underwent major renovation and a much-needed makeover later on. Thanks to Ahilyabai from the Holkar family, who rebuilt many of the structures here in the 1790s.

According to legend, when Sati (Goddess Parvati in her previous life)'s father refused her marriage to Shiva, she sacrificed herself to fire. Distraught, Shiva wandered with her body all over the world. Lord Vishnu intervened with his Sudarshan Chakra, cutting Sati’s body into pieces so that Shiva gets back to his life. Her ear with earrings fell here, giving the place its name “Manikarnika,” meaning earrings with pearls. Thus, it became one of the 52 Shakti Peethas.

The best way to experience Manikarnika Ghat is to walk through Shitala Gali and reach the ghat. You might need to be a bit bold to stand near the burning wood pyres

The priests here are not pushy. They are happy to narrate the history of the place and explain why people don’t cry out loud at this burning ghat.

Even if you haven’t through of going on a spiritual journey in Varanasi, Manikarnika Ghat is surely take you on one.

You can also take pictures as you pass by this ghat in a boat, but remember not to take pictures of the burning pyres directly on the ghat.

9. Bhonsale Ghat

We have been talking about the spiritual significance and history of ghats. But which ghat is popular among local Varanasi people to hang out? Bhonsale Ghat.

A stunning Bhonsale Palace, built by the Maratha rulers of Nagpur in the late 18th century is the backdrop of this ghat. The lower part of the palace has plain empty walls, and the top has projected balconies─similar to Brijrama Palace.

Typically, you may see four to five people at this ghat at once. So it is popular among the local young crowd, especially couples.

Why I love Bhonsale Ghat is for its emptiness and the local crowd. Get a Malai sandwich from Lakshmi Chaiwala (it is just 700m away). Come and sit at the ghat─you never know how you’ll spend an hour just watching it.

10. Panchganga Ghat

Apart from Darbhanga Ghat, one of the most picturesque ghats of Varanasi is “Panchganga Ghat,” which is often missed by tourists─but you must not! One of the quietest ghat to sit and watch the river scenes.

At the far northern end of the ghats, Panchganga Ghat derives its name from the confluence of five rivers according to mythology─the Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana, and Dhutpapa.

Usually, boat rides start from Assi and end at Manikarnika Ghat. Go ahead about 800 meters further and you’ll find Panchganga Ghat, with fewer tourists and a stunning backdrop. This time, the backdrop isn’t a temple but a mighty mosque – 17th century Alamgir mosque, which Mughal ruler Aurangzeb built over a Vishnu temple

Dozens of three-sided cubicle shrine rooms line the banks of the Ganges, opening directly onto the river. Some of these cubicles house a linga or an image, while others are empty. So those who meditate or practice yoga often come here in the morning and use these shrine top to sit.

When you stand on these to pose for pictures, be mindful not to stand on or near the Lingam.

Other Main Varanasi Ghats to explore

Lalita Ghat : Lalita Ghat is notable for its two main temples: the Nepali Temple, resembling Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple (a must-visit for its beauty), and the Lalita gauri Temple dedicated to one of Goddess Parvati’s incarnations.

What makes Lalita Ghat even more significant is its pivotal role in India’s “Kashi Vishwanath Corridor” project, starting right here. This corridor connects the Ganga River directly to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, enhancing Lalita Ghat’s importance. Additionally, Varanasi’s main boat jetty will be located here, further emphasizing its centrality..

Bajirao Ghat : Bajirao Ghat, between Manikarnika and Scindia Ghat was originally by Bajirao Peshwa in 1730s, renovated by Gwalior Queen in 1800s. It is famous for its “Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple,” known for its unique 9-degree tilt, like Italy’s Pisa Tower which is tilted 4-degree.

Nobody exactly know why it is tilted. Stories abound, one says it was built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar’s servant, cursed by her the queen causing the tilt. Another tale: a man built it for his mother, thinking he repaid her, but she cursed it, saying you can never repay a mother’s debt.

Tips to Explore Varanasi Ghats

• I recommend two different ways to explore the ghats in Varanasi: Boat tour and walking the ghats
• Start with a boat tour on your first day to see most of the ghats, covering around 75%.
  • Boat rides are available to explore Varanasi ghats, starting from Assi Ghat and going upriver.
  • Shared motorboats from Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat offer guided tours covering several ghats.
  • Guides on these tours share stories and significance of the ghats during an hour or two.
  • Private boats can be hired for a personalized experience, allowing you to choose specific ghats to visit.
  • Bargain with boatmen before boarding, and negotiate if you want the boat to stop at certain ghats (additional charges may apply).

• Second day onwards, walk along the 10 main ghats.
  • Take breaks at cafes and street food joints, and explore the narrow Galis (alleys) above the ghats for a closer, more immersive experience.
  • Go on a heritage walk for on one the days in oldest parts of Kashi to learn more interesting things about Varanasi.
• Beware of scams while walking the ghats:
  • Some may approach you at Manikarnika Ghat, claiming they lack money for rituals.
  • Sellers might try to sell overpriced or unworthy items using emotional stories─be cautious and don’t fall for them.