Manikarnika Ghat (Hindi: मणिकर्णिका घाट) is one of the ghats in Varanasi and is most known for being a place of Hindu cremation.
The most confronting ghat, Manikarnika (also known simply as the burning ghat) is the place where the majority of dead bodies are cremated in Varanasi. Hindus believe it will liberate them from the cycle of death and rebirth. Indeed, you'll openly come face to face with death at Manikarnika Ghat. Piles of firewood line the shore and the fires continually burn with the stream of dead bodies, each wrapped in cloth and carried through the lanes on makeshift stretchers by the doms (a caste of untouchables that handles the corpses and supervises the burning ghat).
Manikarnika Ghat, also known popularly as Mahasmasana, is one of two burning Ghats in Varanasi. The other Ghat where burning is allowed is Harishchandra Ghat. Manikarnika Ghat is the prominent among the two and is dating back to many centuries. The mythology points the relation of this Ghat to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The popular belief is the burning the dead bodies in this cremation ground is a religious way to attain Moksha, the salvation.
A Shiva Durga temple, built in 1850 by Maharaja of Awadh, is a sacred shrine at this Ghat. A sacred pond known as Cakra-Pushkarini Kund is also adorning this holy place. It is believed that this pond was dug by Lord Vishnu and was existed before the origin of holy Ganges.
Manikarnika Ghat (Hindi: मणिकर्णिका घाट) is one of the ghats in Varanasi and is most known for being a place of Hindu cremation.
The most confronting ghat, Manikarnika (also known simply as the burning ghat) is the place where the majority of dead bodies are cremated in Varanasi. Hindus believe it will liberate them from the cycle of death and rebirth. Indeed, you'll openly come face to face with death at Manikarnika Ghat. Piles of firewood line the shore and the fires continually burn with the stream of dead bodies, each wrapped in cloth and carried through the lanes on makeshift stretchers by the doms (a caste of untouchables that handles the corpses and supervises the burning ghat).
Manikarnika Ghat, also known popularly as Mahasmasana, is one of two burning Ghats in Varanasi. The other Ghat where burning is allowed is Harishchandra Ghat. Manikarnika Ghat is the prominent among the two and is dating back to many centuries. The mythology points the relation of this Ghat to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The popular belief is the burning the dead bodies in this cremation ground is a religious way to attain Moksha, the salvation.
A Shiva Durga temple, built in 1850 by Maharaja of Awadh, is a sacred shrine at this Ghat. A sacred pond known as Cakra-Pushkarini Kund is also adorning this holy place. It is believed that this pond was dug by Lord Vishnu and was existed before the origin of holy Ganges.