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The Assi Ghat is one of the longest of 84 ghats in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the vital pilgrimage centers where a crowd of devotees visit yearly. Do you want to know about its significance and other interesting facts? Let’s read to know about it in detail.
About Assi Ghat, Banaras
This sacred Ghat in Varanasi is the longest of all the 84 ghats and is located on the southern side of Varanasi. In this place, the river Ganges and the river Assi meet. This is the place where researchers, students, and tourists live. This divine Ghat is known to have been blessed by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati from ancient times.
This is one of the most popular Ghats of Banaras and is also mentioned in Kurma, Matsya, Agni, and Padma Purana. According to a Hindu legend, Tulsidas, the Hindu saint and poet took his last breath in this place. Generally, pilgrims visit this Ghat at lunar eclipses, Makar Sankranti and Prabodhini Ekadashi. The crowd at this Ghat reaches its peak during the Mahashivaratri.
Also Read: Dashashwamedh Ghat: The Ghat of Ten Sacrificed Horses
Ganga Aarti Assi Ghat Timing
The Assi ghat is open for 24 hours. The Ganga aarti timings of India vary by season.
Morning Aarti
- Summer: 5:00 AM–7:00 AM
- Winter: 5:30 AM–7:30 AM
Evening Aarti
- Summer: 6:30 PM
- Winter: 6:00 PM
- Monsoon: 6:45 PM–7:30 PM
The Significance of the Assi Ghat
The Assi Ghat holds spiritual and cultural significance. Let’s understand this in detail.
Spiritual Significance of Assi Ghat
In this Assi Ghat, people come here to worship the Shiva Lingam, which is of high spiritual importance. This place is considered sacred for various activities such as Mundan, Marriage, Upanayan, Ganga Puja etc. Also, various fire ceremonies and Aaartis take place in this divine place.
1. Shubh-E-Banaras
The Shubh-e-Banaras is the morning Aarti that takes place every morning at 5 a.m. ( Brahma Muhurat) in the Asighat. This starts from dawn and was started by the Uttar Pradesh Government on 24th November 2014 which also includes cultural events such as prayers, yoga, meditation, music, and the morning Ganga Aarti and a tribute to the five important elements ( Panch Tattwa). The Subh-e-Banaras is such an experience that makes the environment very calm and divine for the visitors and the devotees.
2. Assi Ghat at Night
At night, the evening aarti at Assi Ghat Varanasi takes place between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. If one arrives at the place 30 minutes before the Aarti starts, he can get himself a seat to see the spiritual event. This includes chanting of Vedic hymns, lighting, and movement of lamps. This ceremony is the daily homage to Maa Ganga as she purifies our souls. At this time, the atmosphere becomes divine and breathtaking for devotees.
Cultural Significance of Assi Ghat
This ghat in Varanasi culturally describes the various festivals and traditions that make the environment sacred and peaceful.
Festivals at Assi Ghat
Here are some of the festivals that people celebrate largely in Asighat. These are:
1. Dev Diwali
The Dev Diwali is a festival which is believed to be the festival of Gods celebrated on Kartik Purnima ( 15 days after Diwali).
On this day, people decorate the entire ghat with thousands of Diyas. Also, people perform the Ganga Aarti which creates a magical sight and the river reflects the golden glow of the diyas. The devotees pray to Maa Ganga and take a holy dip in the river. Different cultural programs take place at the Ghat such as music, classical dance performances, etc.
2. Mahashivaratri
Mahashivaratri is the night of Lord Shiva which people celebrate in the Hindu month of Phalguna( Feb-Mar). On this day, the Assi ghat becomes an important site where devotees offer worship to the Shiva Lingam at the place and chant Vedic hymns and bhajans, and the sound of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ fills the air. Also, a procession of Kanwariyas (Shiva Devotees) visits the Ghat. Till the midnight, Jagrans and cultural performances take place.
3. Ganga Mahotsav
The Ganga Mahotsav is a traditional festival of the Assi Ghat Varanasi which is also known as the concluding ceremony of the Dev Diwali festival. This festival is the cultural heritage of the place where people enjoy classical dance, music, and drama performances.
Also, people display various traditional crafts, and competitions like boat races are held. This brings a sense of faith, art, and festivity to people at this sacred place.
Assi Ghat Story
Various stories and legends surround the popular Ghat of Banaras. Some of these are:
1. Story of the victory of Goddess Durga
Once, two powerful demons Shumbha and Nishumbha received boons from Lord Brahma because of their severe penance. The boon made them get too much strength and no one could defeat them. The demons created trouble for demigods and attacked Lord Indra in heaven. After this, the demigods went to Lord Shiva and Vishnu to take their help.
Using divine energies, Vishnu and Shiva created Goddess Durga also known as Parvati or Chandalika who fought bravely with the two demons and attained victory. After the battle, Maa Pavati washed her sword in the Assi Ghat and thus the Ghat got its name since then. Many devotees believe taking a dip in the holy river cleanses one’s sins and they get blessed by Goddess Parvati.
2. Lord Shiva’s Stay in Assi Ghat
According to legends, natural disasters like floods affected the spiritual Kashi city. After the destruction, Shiva took shelter in this place and made it a spiritual center.
3. Connection of the Rudra Avatar of Shiva
Shiva in this ghat manifested himself as the Rudra Avatar. He protected the city from negative forces. The Assi ghat became a place where devotees came seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva for protection, strength, and liberation.
4. The Presence of Shiva Lingams
In Assi ghat at Varanasi, Lord Shiva manifested himself as Swayambhu ( self-formed) as he was deeply connected to this place. Also, there are other different temples and lingams present in the place. A Shiva lingam is placed under the peepal tree that grants one liberation, peace, and prosperity. Devotees tie sacred threads around the tree and perform Abhishek to the lingam in the early morning.
5. Lord Brahma’s Meditation Spot
Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe meditated in the Assi Ghat to please Mahadeva. Due to this reason, many saints and sages consider the Assi ghat ideal and best for meditation and penance.
6. The Kashi Khand Connection
The ancient Hindu scripture, Kashi Khand describes that this ghat is a powerful pilgrimage center where sages performed deep penance. The scripture states that people who come to visit the Ghat and offer their prayers get blessings of a hundred pilgrimages.
7. Tulsidas Meditation at Assi Ghat
Tulsidas, the author of the Ramcharitramanas has meditated in the Assi ghat at Varanasi. Also, legends say that Lord Hanuman appeared before Tulsidas blessing him for his devotion to Lord Rama. This ghat holds spiritual and literary importance too.
Things to Avoid At Assi Ghat
These are some things that we should not do at the Assi Ghat. These are;
- We should not disrupt prayers, rituals, or the Aarti by making noise at the Ghat.
- People should not throw any plastic products, food, or waste into the river and use dustbins present in the ghat.
- Saints and locals consider it disrespectful to take their photographs without permission.
- You should not wear any revealing outfits at this religious place.
- People should avoid bathing in restricted areas in the Ganga River.
Frequently Answered Questions
1. Where is the Assi Ghat at Varanasi?
2. How long does it take to reach Banaras to reach Assi Ghat distance-wise?
3. Who are the two authors who have mentioned Aussi Ghat in their stories?
4. Who built the Assi ghat?
5. Where should you take the first bath in Varanasi?
6. What is the other name of Assi ghat?
Also Read: Kashi Manikarnika Ghat: The Holiest Site For Moksha Prapti!
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