Assi Ghat

The Assi Ghat is placed at the confluence of the Rivers Assi and Ganga and is famous for the large Shiva Lingam installed under a peepal tree. It has immense religious importance and has been mentioned in the Puranas and various legends as well.

Assi Ghat is the heart of Varanasi and the locals, as well as, the tourists flock there to enjoy the amazing view of the sunset and sunrise at the Ganges. It is where tourists and foreigners who travel and stay in Varanasi for a prolonged period live. The Ghat has been a famous spot among the local youths to while away their time in the evening. Recently, the Ghat started having Aarti in the morning which is a must-watch if you want to experience the true feel of Varanasi. Also, the tourists generally travel from Assi to Dashaswamedh Ghat in the evening by boat, to see the famous aarti conducted there every evening which is an experience like none other. Assi ghat is near Banaras Hindu University, and hence it is frequented by students.

History of Assi Ghat

According to a mythological tale in Hinduism, Goddess Durga, after killing the demons Shumbha-Nishumbha, threw her sword. The place where the sword landed, resulted in the emergence of a river which was then called Assi. Another mythological tale states that Lord Rudra (a form of Lord Shiva) was furious with Asuras and eliminated 80 asuras in his rage at this very place. This is how it came to be known as Assi (which means 80 in Hindi). However, after killing the asuras, Lord Rudra repented for his actions and wished he hadn’t killed them. Following this incident, he gave up all forms of violence and declared Varanasi a place that would stand for non-violence.

Significance and Rituals of Assi Ghat

Assi ghat is everyone’s preferred ghat located in the south of the Varanasi. It is a place where one can spend hours very easily without any disturbance. It is an amazing and most natural place where students from foreign countries, researchers, and travelers are used to living here.

Assi ghat is a place of a huge crowd during any Hindu festivals where devotees come to take holy baths in the Gange water to get rid of their all the past sins. It is also considered that before any Pooja, bathing in the Gange water prepares the one for doing Pooja. It makes the mind, soul, and body clean and peaceful and fills with spiritual thoughts. It makes the mind concentrate very easily during Pooja without any harassment.

Assi ghat is one of the most famous and visited ghats of the Varanasi for tour and tourism. People from all the corners of the country as well as abroad must come here if they come to India for tourism. Some of the great festivals such as Mahashivaratri, Ganga Dashahara, Ganga Mahotsav, etc attract a huge crowd in the Varanasi at this ghat. Most of the tourists are connected to the Jewish community at the Assi Ghat. For the security reasons of the people, an additional police force is assigned to the Assi Ghat.