Ganga Mahotsav To Begin From Friday

Update 4th November 2016 

The 22nd Ganga Mahotsav, scheduled to be held in the city from 11th November to 14th November 2016, will be inaugurated at Rajendra Prasad Ghat on Friday. 

Ganga mahotsav, a festival only one of its kind, is celebrated in the city of Varanas also known as the City of Spiritual Light. It is considered to be one of the oldest living cities in the world.

Meanwhile, several traditional sporting events including Ganga Marathon (from Sant Ravidas ghat to Dashaswamedh ghat) Kushti at Assi ghat, Boat race, Gada, Jodi, Malkham at Rajendra Prasad ghat will also be organised during the occasion. 

The Ganga Mahotsav will last up to five days. The celebration not only promotes the city of Varanasi as the cultural capital of India but also promotes the various classical dances and music.

In addition to sports events, group dance, solo dance, instrumental music, folk and semi-classical singing competitions will also be held for students of various schools at Sanskritik Sankul, Chowkaghat. 

As classical music fills the atmosphere, a mystique seems to envelop the environs awaiting a mood both celestial and soulful. The classical music rendered by maestros indeed imparts an unforgettable flavor. The attraction of the five-day-long Ganga Mahotsav is its message of faith and culture, that increase with the daily Shilp Mela and the unique Dev Deepawali with innumerable `Diyas´ or earthen lamps in chain, lit by devotees and which floating down the river on the full moon night of Kartik, a spectacle both mystical and heart winning.

The festival coincides with Dev Dipawali which adds to the charm of the festival.It is said that on the day of Dev Deepavali which is a full moon day according to the Hindu calendar month of Kartik, Gods descend on earth to take a bath in the river Ganges. On the day the banks are lit with diyas or lamps.The whole look of the banks of Ganges is enthralling. People from aceoss India and even abroad come to take a bath during the wee hours of morning. When the sun is ascending on the horizon, people take bath and do the "Surya Namaskar".

Contact Address:

Mahotsav Samithi
Office of Assistant Director Tourism
Urban Haat, Sanskritik Sankul,
Chowka-Ghat, Varanasi
Telephone & Fax No : +91-0542-2505033

Varanasi Ghats

Varanasi is one of the ancient cities of India. It is the oldest living cities in the world. It is widely famous for its religious significance, temples, culture, history, and Banaras ghats. Many of travellers come to Varanasi especially to visit the Banaras ghats at holy river Ganga to observe the ancient culture and tradition of India. There are about 81 ghats in Varanasi for different purposes. Some are bathing ghats and some are dedicated to deities. Some of important Banaras ghats are Assi, Tulsi, Daswamedh, Manikarnika, Panch Ganga, etc. A walk across the ghats leaves an everlasting experience on the visitors' mind.

Daswamedh Ghat : It perhaps the most famous Banaras ghat in Varanasi. It is one of the most important busiest ghats in Varanasi. According to Hindu faith, it is the ghat where Lord Brahma (the creator of the world) sacrificed ten horses (Das Medh). That’s why the ghat is called Daswamedh Ghat. This ghat is also popular Hindu pilgrimage site. Here one can see the temple of Hindu goddess Shitla. Visitors can also enjoy boat ride from this holy ghats. You should not miss evening aarti at Daswamedh ghat.

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Assi Ghat : It is situated at the southernmost part of Varanasi City where river Assi meets the holy river Ganga. The ghat is on the way to Manikarnika Ghat. It is a clay-baked ghat and known for religious significance. There is a huge lingam under a Pipal Tree. The lingam is called Asisangameshvara or the "Lord of the Confluence of the Assi". According to Hindu Faiths, it is believed that, it is necessary for pilgrims to bathe at this ghat before worshiping the lingam.

Manikarnika Ghat : Manikarnika Ghat is basically a cremation ghat. There is also a temple of Manikarnika Devi. There is also a small shrine of Goa Vishnu. This ghat is also called Jalasi Ghat.

Tulsi Ghat : According to Hindus, this is the sacred ghat where Tulsi Das, (16th century poet) spend many years to compose the holy epic Ram Charit Manas. There is a temple on this ghat dedicated to Lord Ram.

Panch Ganga Ghat: As the name suggest, this ghat is the place where five rivers are considered to meet. Alamgir Mosque is located at this ghat. The mosque was built by Aurangzeb.

Man Mandir Ghat : Man Mandir Ghat is renowned for its splendid observatory built in 18th century, which is outfitted with a number of elaborate widow casings. This ghat was built by Maharaja of Jaipur. It is popular among pilgrims as they offer homage to the Lord of Moon, Someshvara, at this holy ghat.

Lalita Ghat : This holy ghat is located to the north side of Manikarnika Ghat. It is known for Ganga Keshava Temple located on this sacred Banaras ghat. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There is also a Nepali Temple built in wood. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.