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Varanasi India : The Colorful Ghats of Varanasi

February 20, 2014 by Denis 3 Comments

Varanasi India

On the western shore of the Ganges river, between the Varuna river on the north side and the Asi river on the south side, (hence the origin of the word Varanasi), lies one of the world’s most colorful and fascinating stretch of real estate, the ghats of Varanasi.  Varanasi  is one of the oldest cities on earth  and the holiest city in the Hindu religion.

The ghats of Varanasi

The ghats of Varanasi

 

Ghats are sets of steps leading down to the river’s edge. According to our guide, there are 365 ghats between the Varuna and the Asi rivers, a distance of about two and a half miles. Our focus is on the 100 or so ghats lined up next to each other along the Ganges river in the center of Varanasi.

The ghats of Varanasi

The ghats of Varanasi

 

Each ghat is from about 30 feet to 100 feet wide, and a very eclectic array of structures have been built on top of the ghats in the past two hundred years or so, ranging from simple guest houses to elaborate palaces.

The ghats of Varanasi

The ghats of Varanasi

 

The best way to experience the ghats is by a boat ride along the river at sunrise or at sunset. Each ghat has a name and a story, and our guide, who seemed to know them all, explained each ghat as we went by.

The ghats of Varanasi

The ghats of Varanasi

 

Many of the ghats have been built up by various kings and maharajahs of India. Some are guest houses for visiting pilgrims from various countries, some are ashrams, at least one is for followers of Hare Krishna, etc… The ghats are tradable private properties, as evidenced by the recent purchase of a ghat by a hotel chain. They are redoing the inside of the structure but are obligated to keep the river facade unchanged.

The ghats of Varanasi

The ghats of Varanasi

 

Ghats are used for religious purposes by the Hindus Bathing in the Ganges river follows thousand years old rituals.

The ghats of Varanasi

The ghats of Varanasi

 

Some ghats are used for clothes washing.

Clothes washer in the Ganges river

Clothes washer in the Ganges river

 

Two ghats are dedicated to the burning of dead people and the throwing of their ashes into the Ganges river.

The ghats of Varanasi

The ghats of Varanasi

 

An amazing and memorable sight!

The ghats of Varanasi

The ghats of Varanasi

 

 

 

Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for more Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world.  Luxury escapes and city breaks to Quebec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe, places like Paris France, Nice France, Provence and the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera), Tuscany and Florence in Italy, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!

Filed Under: Asia, India Tagged With: around the worl, city breaks, Cremation, Ganges, Ghat, India, Joie de vivre, luxury escapes, Quebec City, Travel, Varanasi, Varuna

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Comments

  1. Rita Fagan says

    February 20, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    Thank you for explaining the ghats. I never knew that each had a particular functional purpose. It’s hard for the Western mind to have the faith to want to wash clothes and bathe in the same stretch of Ganges where a relative’s remains have been burned and ashes scattered!

    Reply
  2. Ruth M. Krosin says

    February 20, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    hope you got to the night ceremony /ritual- really surreal and stirring. r

    Reply

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TOP 10 travel experts and influencers on social media and rated as one of the most influential travel bloggers in the world, Denis and Lynn Gagnon have been circling the globe for more than 45 years. Former international business travelers, they know how to travel - with class, comfort, and style. Members of the National Press Club, PTBA , NATJA and SATW. Wish to connect? Email them at [email protected].

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