History of Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh ghat is one of the oldest, most spectacular and important ghat, located at the bank of the river Gange near to the old Vishwanath Temple in the Kashi. The literal meaning of the Dashashwamedh is the Ghat (river front) of the ten sacrificed horses (dash means 10, ashwa means horse, medh means sacrifice).
There are two mythologies about the ghat is that the Lord Brahma was created the Dashashwamedh ghat in order to welcome the Lord Shiva, and the second one is the Lord Brahma was sacrificed the ten horses in a yajna here. The Dashashwamedh ghat was reconstructed by the Bajirao Pesava I in the year 1740 AD. It was later reconstructed by the Queen of the Indore (the princess Ahilyabai Holkar) in the year 1774.
It is also believed that the ten horse sacrifice was done by the Bhara Shiva Naga rulers in the second century. This ghat is famous for the Agni Pooja which is held here daily in the evening by a group of the priest who are dedicated to the Lord Shiva, River Ganges, Surya, Agni as well as the whole universe. Tourists can see the excellent and colorful riverfront view. A group of sadhus can be seen performing religious activities at this ghat.
It is great to see the real attraction of this ghat in the evening when Gange aarti is held here. This ghat has become the religious spot for the devotees and pilgrims for years and tourists as well. Historically, it is considered as the most favorite and main ghat among the Hindu devotees. Near to the Dashashwamedh ghat, there are various religious temples as well as tourists’ destinations.
Significance
At the great festivals, Hindu devotees come in huge number because of the different religious significance of the ghat. The ghat has retained its beauty with the various Hindu God temples and religious sites. Pilgrims come here to perform a variety of rituals and religious activities. The evening Aarti of the Gange at this ghat attracts huge crowd from every corner of the city. Some of the devotees come here daily in the morning to pay homage to their Lord after having a holy bath in the Gange water.
One can be full of spiritual thoughts if he spends some time at this ghat. Some people are used of the daily meditation in the early morning at the ghat because of the beautiful environment, safe atmosphere, cool and fresh air. Spending some time here makes the one feel like sitting in the heaven. The sun rising and sun set scene in the morning and evening respectively are the awesome scenes which provides the special color to the Gange water.
Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti
Dashashwamedh ghat is famous for great event named Gange Aarti at each evening after sunset. Thousands of earthen lamps are immersed in the Gange water as a floating lamp which looks awesome and seems a great religious ritual of the Hindu devotees. The Gange aarti is a religious event which is performed at the bank of the Gange River by a group of young priests who become draped in a saffron color dress having puja thali and a big brass aarti lamp.
Gange aarti starts with the blow of the conch shell followed by aarti with the large flaming lamps and chant of mantras and aarti song. The whole environment becomes full of light of the lamp. People begin to arrive to the destination at 5 pm in the evening to get their proper places in order to have the appropriate view of the aarti. Some people including tourist are love to see the aarti event by sitting in a boat in the river. A maha Gange aarti held at the ghat at Kartik Purnima which attracts an unbelievable crowd.
How to Reach Dashashwamedh Ghat
There are many ways to reach Dashashwamedh Ghat, you can choose Auto Rickshaw or Private Car as per your budget.
By Auto Rickshaw: To reach Dashashwamedh Ghat from Varanasi Railway Station / Bus Stand you have to take Auto Rickshaw for ‘Rathyatra’ and Auto rickshawala will charge Rs 10 then you have to change the auto and catch the other Auto Rickshaw for ‘Godaulia’ and Auto rickshawala will charge Rs 10. After reaching Godaulia you can walk 5 minute to reach Dashashwamedh Ghat because no vehicle allowed beyond this limit.
By Car: You can hire a Car from Bus Stand or Railway station that will drop you to ‘Godaulia‘ after reaching Godaulia you can walk 5 minute to reach Dashashwamedh Ghat because no vehicle allowed beyond this limit.
Dashashwamedh Ghat Photos
Foreign tourists are going towards the Dashashwamedh ghat for attending the Gange aarti in the evening. They are more near to the ghat at the boat. Some of the boats are waiting at the ghat for having the tourists.
What an awesome pic of the Dashashwamedh ghat caught by our photographer in the early morning. Everything is looking yellowish color in the morning because of the ghat lights. The sky looks of the real pure natural blue color. Local devotees are coming to the ghat for bathing and paying homage to their God.
This is the beautiful picture of the Prayag ghat near to the Dashashwamedh ghat. A Gangotri Seva Samiti building is looking very nice from the ghat. A temple at the ghat looks very attractive where a large crowd of the devotees are taking bath in the early morning. Some of them are offering Jal to the God Sun and some are going tp the temple.