Almost every traveller around the globe has heard about the city of Ghats, Varanasi. But how many of you know about the stories that lie on the banks of Ganga?! Being an old (very old) city, Varanasi has seen a lot of things and holds the signs of those events in its banks and Ghats.
As a tourist, you can visit the famous religious temples of the Ghats and stay in one of the hotels near varanasi temple. But the experience gets more satisfying the incredible when you know the stories, which define all these places of the city. So, here you can find all the stories, making these Ghats important in the history and culture of Hindu religion.
- The story of salvation: It is said that if a person dies at one of the Ghats of this city, he or she gets the salvation. This saying has been famous for almost more than hundred years. People used to leave their homes and come to live in this holy city Ghats in their old age. Even, today people believe that the Ghats hold the gateway of salvation.
- The story of fight between two Gods: According to the legends, the two Lords of Hindu religion Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu began arguing. They wanted to know who was greater, the Lord of creation Brahma, or the Lord of salvation Lord Vishnu. Their fight led them to the Vedas in Varanasi. At one of the Ghats, they began to argue so bad that, a column of fire split the earth from the swarg (heavens). At the end, it was Lord Shiva who was found to be the greatest. This is why most of the Ghats are devoted to Lord Shiva.
- The story of the original founder of Ghats: There are two stories related to this. According to some religious experts, it was Lord Shiva who came here after his marriage with Parvati and founded the city and the Ghats of Varanasi. However, another legend says that the Ghats had already been there and Lord Shiva shifted here from the Himalayas after his marriage.
- The story of Dashashwamedh Ghat: This Ghat also holds two kinds of the stories. According to the legends, Lord Brahma created this Ghat for Lord Shiva when he was coming here after his marriage. While some people say that Brahma conducted a ritual and sacrificed ten horses at this Ghat.
- The story of Manikarnika Ghat: Manikarnika Ghat has a very interesting story related to Lord Shiva and his Wife Parvati. Lord Shiva used to spend all his time with his devotees. Being angry with this behaviour, Goddess Parvati hid her earrings (Manikarnika) at this place. She asked Lord Shiva to find the earrings, so that, He would stay with here. So, people believe that whenever a body is cremated here, Lord Shiva comes to the soul asking for the earrings.
Adding to that, it is said that Agni, the fire God was born at Scindia Ghat. Now, you can discuss these stories with your friends, while staying at Varanasi resorts.