Nomad Saikat
Known as one of the oldest cities in India Varanasi or Banaras as it was called earlier, it is one of the most important spiritual destinations in India. A popular tourist spot Varanasi is known for its beautiful Ghats and the ambience that is created there. If not anything else, the Aartis in these ghats are the most surreal experience to enjoy and one such Ghat is the Assi Ghat Varanasi. Not as crowded as the Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat retains its own charm and brilliance in its simplicity. The Assi Ghat Aarti can be one of the most cherishing experiences in Varanasi.
I am sure a lot of you know about the grandeur of the Dashashwamedh Ghat but the simplicity and serenity of the Assi Ghat is unparalleled. So if you are ever visiting Varanasi then the Assi Ghat Varanasi should be included in your itinerary for sure. In this article I will mention each and everything that you will need to know about the Assi Ghat Varanasi. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to Assi Ghat Varanasi so keep on reading.
Assi Ghat Varanasi
Location of Assi Ghat Varanasi: Nagwa Road, Anandbagh, Assi Ghat, Dumraon Colony, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
How to reach Assi Ghat Varanasi
By air
The nearest airport is Varanasi Airport and from there you can easily get taxis or cabs to reach the Assi Ghat. Assi Ghat Distance from the airport is around 28 km and you can reach there in an hour by a car or a shared ride.
By train
The nearest railway station is Varanasi Railway Junction and from Varanasi Junction to Assi Ghat distance is 6.7 km and it would take around 32 minutes to reach there.
By road
You can get buses from nearby cities to reach Varanasi. Also you can even hire a car or a cab to reach here.
Timings of Assi Ghat Varanasi: The Assi Ghat Varanasi is open 24 hours.
Entry fee of Assi Ghat Varanasi: No entry fee is required.
Assi Ghat Aarti time
Assi Ghat morning Aarti time is from 5 am in the morning. The Assi Ghat Ganga Aarti timings vary a little from summer to winter months. In summer the timings are from 5 am and in winter it starts from 5:40 am. Furthermore Assi Ghat Aarti timings evening is from 6:30 pm during summers and in winters it is from 7 pm. The morning aarti followed by a cultural programme in Assi Ghat is known as the Subah-e-Banaras which continues for two hours in the morning.
Overview
Assi Ghat is the southernmost Ghat in Varanasi which is a popular tourist destination. But not just as a tourist destination the Assi Ghat Varanasi is also known as a place where long term researchers, scholars and foreign students live. On the bank of the River Ganga, Assi Ghat is that one spectacular Ghat that is visited by a major chunk of crowd both locals and tourists on a regular basis. Along with being popular the Assi Ghat is also one of the biggest ghats in Varanasi. On a normal day around 300 people visit the ghat on an hourly basis which goes up to 2500 people visiting on an hourly basis during festivals and special occasions.
At one point the Assi Ghat Varanasi can accommodate up to 22,500 people. During special occasions and festivals around 600,000 tourists visit this Ghat. It is believed by the people here that Tulsidas left for his heavenly abode from Assi Ghat. Furthermore Assi Ghat is one of the Ghats in Varanasi that takes forward the culture of the land. It can be one of the most surreal experiences of Assi Ghat Ganga Aarti. Ganga Aarti Assi Ghat is one of the iconic moments that the tourists and visitors cherish here. Along with Aarti the tourists can also enjoy a special Subah-e Banaras programme here which is one of the major tourist attractions here. Furthermore, the majestic boat rides while enjoying the surroundings and appreciating the beauty here is also one of the popular activities in Assi Ghat Varanasi.
History
Historically and mythologically also the Assi Ghat holds special importance. It is believed that the Ghat was built by Kashi Naresh in 10th century who was a Hindu king ruling Varanasi at that time. However there is some confusion regarding that as there is some evidence that suggests that the Ghat was there even before that. Later during 18th century Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maratha Queen had rebuilt this Ghat. Furthermore during the 20th century the Ghat was given a status of Protected Monument by the Government. This Ghat was re-made firmly in the year 1988 with the assistance of the State Government.
Also it is believed that Goddess Devi Durga had thrown her sword into the river Assi after she killed the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. From there this place is known as Assi Ghat as this location is situated at the confluence of the Assi River and River Ganga.
Furthermore in many sacred texts, ancient texts the mention of Assi Ghat is found. In Kashi Khand Assi Ghat is described as Saymbeda Tirtha. This means that whoever takes a dip into the holy water here gets the merit of visiting all Tirthas. Especially during the months of Magha and Chaitya the devotees come here to take this holy dip in the water. These are by far the most peak seasons for this activity. Furthermore in Hindu Puranas like Kashi Khanda, Matsya Purana, Padma Purana, Kurma Purana, and Agni Purana you will find the mention of the Assi Ghat.
After taking bath in the holy river here devotees gather to offer their prayer to a huge Shiva Lingam situated here under a peepal tree. They also visit another temple of Lord Shiva nearby known as the Asisangameshwar lingam to offer their prayer. Assi Ghat is one such place in Varanasi where people can enjoy some peaceful time without any disturbances. Furthermore Assi Ghat to Kashi Viswanath temple distance is around 3.3 km and you can reach there in about 24 minutes and a lot of visitors also visit there after taking a holy dip into the water.
Subah-e-Benaras at Assi Ghat
If there is something magical about the Ghats in Varanasi it is the Aarti. However in the Assi Ghat the morning aarti is more special because it is followed by a unique program Subah-e-Banaras which is an initiative taken by the Honorable state Minister of Uttar Pradesh on 24h of November 2014. It starts at 5 am in the morning and continues for the next two hours. You can literally experience the beautiful sun rising up above changing the whole atmosphere along with the chanting of sacred mantras.
It is believed according to Sanatan Dharma that the wee hours in the morning are Brahma Muhurat or God’s Hour. Furthermore this time is considered as the purest time when the human mind is at its sharpest. The Subah-e-Banaras programme is one such initiative to welcome the morning by chanting Vedic Hymns. Also Vedic Yoga is performed and after that the 5 elements of earth Air, Water, Sky, Land and fire is recognized and appreciated. Many local artists and trained classical singers sing various Ragas which is indeed an experience to witness here.
Festivals celebrated in Assi Ghat
- Mahashivratri
- Ganga Dussehra
- Dev Deepawali
- Ganga Mahotsav
- Holi
- Makar sankranti
- Bharat Milap
Hotels in Benaras near Assi Ghat
Palace on Ganges
Address: B-1/158 Assi Ghat, Nagwa Road, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Hotel Temple on Ganges
Address: Assi Ghat, Shivala, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
The Kashi Residency
Address: B 30/ 252, Nagwa Road, Near Assi Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Hotel Varanasi Heritage
Address: Tulsi Ghat, Assi Road, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
What to eat near Assi Ghat?
Even though it would always be best to enjoy the local food in Varanasi, still if you are interested to check out some cafes and restaurants then you can surely check these out.
Cafes near Assi Ghat
- Downtown Pizza
- Aum Café
- Ashish Café
- Pizzeria Vaatika Café
- Maya Café
- The Tripling Bistro
Restaurants near Assi Ghat
- Itihaas Alley Kitchen
- Caravan Café and Restaurant
- Banarasi Babu Restaurant
- Karki Restaurant
- Kesariya Thal
Nearby places to visit
Dashshwamedh Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat
Harishchandra Ghat
Lakhshmi Ghat
Scindia Ghat
Ramnagar Fort
Manmandir Ghat
Dhamekh Stupa
Chaukhandi Stupa
Temples to visit near Assi Ghat
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Surya Kund
Kal Bhairav Temple
Durga Kund
Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Ganesh Mandir
Wrapping up!
A place like the Assi Ghat would feel more calm and soothing than the grandeur of Dashashwamedh Ghat. Even though the Dashashwamedh Ghat is the most popular Ghat in Varanasi, the evening aarti or the boat ride or the Subah-e-Banaras program would take you closer to the culture. You will be able to enjoy the rituals in a more calm manner. So my suggestion would be to surely try to visit the Assi Ghat.
Also if you are willing to witness the programme in the early morning you should stay nearby as well. It would be one of a kind of an experience to witness the rising sun along with chanting of Vedic hymns. Furthermore it can be one of the experiences in your life that you would like to hold on forever. Do let me know if this article of Assi Ghat Varanasi was helpful for you. Also don’t forget to let me know when you are planning a trip to the Assi Ghat Varanasi.
