Manikarnika Ghat Tourism

Manikarnika Ghat, positioned on the banks of the River Ganges in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the oldest and most sacred ghats in Hinduism. This ancient ghat is an integral part of the complex cultural and spiritual heart of Varanasi, holding immense religious significance. According to mythological texts, the ghat is named after the queen Manikarnika, a form of the goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. It is believed that being cremated here provides an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The Manikarnika Ghat is perpetually bustling with ceremonies and rituals, with pyres burning round the clock, and it is a poignant place where life and death intersect visibly. The air is filled with chants, the smell of incense, and the warmth of fire. This ghat also features prominently during the Kumbh Mela, which is held here every 12 years.