Assi Ghat – is the heart and soul of Varanasi!
This southernmost ghat is not only famous for being the home of long-term foreign students, researchers, and tourists, but also for its spectacular view of the Ganga.
Did you know that Assi Ghat is also the confluence of the Rivers Assi and Ganga and is famous for the large Shiva Lingam installed under a peepal tree?
This spot has immense religious importance and has been mentioned in the Puranas and various legends as well.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, head to Assi Ghat for the amazing view of the sunset and sunrise at the Ganges. It’s the perfect spot for locals and tourists alike to relax and enjoy the scenery. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the local youths who come to while away their time in the evening.
But the real treat is the morning Aarti at Assi Ghat, which starts at 5:00 AM during summers and 5:40 AM during winters. It’s a unique program that lets you witness the bewitching sunrise emerging from the horizon of clear waters while chanting of mantras, clanking of bells, and the splash of boats into the water pierce through the tranquil quietude.
And if you’re interested in the history of Assi Ghat, the ghat have originated when Goddess Durga threw her sword in the holy river after killing a demon with it. The spot where she stood became the ghat, and since then, Assi Ghat has become an important ritualistic place in Varanasi.