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Dashashwamedh Ghat

Dashashwamedh Ghat is a main ghat in Varanasi located on the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple. There are two Hindu legends associated with the ghat: according to one, Brahma created it to welcome Shiva, and in another, Brahma performed 10 Ashwamegha Yajna, Dasa-Ashwamedha yajna.

The present ghat was built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao in the year 1748. A few decades later, Ahilyabahi Holkar, the Queen of Indore, rebuilt the ghat in the year 1774.[1]

Ganga aarti

The Ganga Aarti (ritual of offering prayer to the Ganges river) is held daily at dusk. Several priests perform this ritual by carrying deepam and moving it up and down in a rhythmic tune of bhajans.[2] Special aartis are held on Tuesdays and on religious festivals.

Drone shot of Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

The Ganga Aarti starts soon after sunset and lasts for about 45 minutes. In the summer, the Aarti begins at about 7pm due to late sunsets and in winter it starts at around 6pm. Hundreds of people gather at the ghat every evening to watch the event.[3]

2010 terrorist bombing

On 7 December 2010, a low-intensity blast rocked the southern end of the aarti at the Sitla Ghat. This killed 2 people and injured 37 including 6 foreign tourists, and the Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for it.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ "History of Dashashwamedh Ghat". www.varanasiguru.com. 28 March 2021.
  2. ^ Shradha Banavalikar (20 December 2017). Roots of Moondust: When Struggle Wears a Different Hat, Look at it in the Eye!. Notion Press. pp. 73–. ISBN 978-1-948321-29-7.
  3. ^ "Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi". Triponzy. 22 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Terror strikes Varanasi: 1 killed". Zee News. 8 December 2010.
  5. ^ "Varanasi blast triggers a blame game". India Today. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2010.

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