Lalita Ghat, Ancient Hindu ghat in Varanasi, India
Lalita Ghat is a stone stairway on the bank of the Ganges in Varanasi, where broad steps lead from the water up to a cluster of temple structures. A red main building and a wooden temple stand at the top, with several smaller shrines spread across the different levels of the steps.
The ghat was built in the early 1800s by the King of Nepal, who had it constructed during his time in Varanasi. His patronage explains the Nepalese architectural style of the wooden temple, which sets this site apart from its neighbors along the river.
The name of the ghat honors the goddess Lalita, and people come here to bathe ritually in the Ganges and offer prayers at the shrines. The steps fill with devotees in the early morning, when the light is low and the river is at its quietest.
The ghat is most easily reached on foot by walking through the old city's narrow lanes down to the river. The steps can be slippery after rain, so shoes with a firm sole are a good idea for the climb up and down.
The wooden temple was built using timber chosen for its natural resistance to termites and moisture, which has allowed the structure to survive the damp river environment for generations. This type of construction is typical of the Kathmandu Valley and is rarely seen elsewhere along the Ganges.
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