Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sacred riverfront steps in Varanasi, India.
Dashashwamedh Ghat is a series of stone steps extending along the western bank of the Ganges, connecting the river to the city center of Varanasi. The structure features multiple levels to accommodate varying water levels and different activities.
The ghat was built soon after 1735 by Bajirao Peshwa. Towards the end of the 18th century, Ahilyabai Holkar added construction nearby, including a haveli called Ahilyabai Wada and Bharmapuri. In 1929, excavation beneath Rani Putia's temple here uncovered several yajna kunds, sacrificial fire pits.
The nightly Ganga Aarti ceremony draws hundreds of people who watch priests perform rituals with fire and incense at the water's edge. This ceremony remains central to religious life at the river and shapes daily experience at this location.
The site is accessible throughout the day, and it is best to see the river and steps early in the morning when it is quieter. The main event happens in the evening and draws many people, so space is limited.
The name comes from Hindu tradition and refers to a location where Brahma is said to have performed a sacrifice with ten horses according to legend. This mythological connection runs deep in local folklore.
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