Manikarnika Ghat – The most desired place for cremation.

The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: “Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. The Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

The city of Varanasi is famous for an array of things – from being the museum of Temples to its elegant saris to its culinary delights. But the one thing that particularly stands out about this city is its Ghats, especially Manikarnika Ghat. Here’s what makes this destination stand out:

Manikarnika Ghat is considered to be one of the holiest Ghats in India. It is believed that if the dead body of a person is cremated here, then the dead human’s soul finds salvation/Moksha. So, it is actually a place where the elderly across the world visit and spend their last days while enjoying the charisma of the Ghat. It is believed that death is even painless at this Ghat. At the borders of Manikarnika Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Scindia Ghat are located.

Talking about history, it is one of the oldest Ghats present in this city. In fact, the Manikarnika Ghat is also stated in a Gupta inscription of the 5th century. It is respected in Hindu religion since ages.

This place is of historical value too. When Sati Devi, consort of Lord Shiva gave up her life and set her body on fire after Raja Daksh Prajapati (the son of Lord Brahma) tried to disgrace Lord Shiva in a Yagya performed by Daksh, Lord Shiva took her burning body to the Himalayas. On seeing the painful sorrow of Lord Shiva, Vishnu sent the Divine Chakra, which cut Sati Devi’s body into 51 parts that fell on earth. They are known as “Ekannya Shaktipeeth”. Lord Shiva established Shakti Peeth wherever Sati Devi’s body parts had fallen. Mata Sati's Earring had fallen at this Ghat and it was named as Manikarnika Ghat. Manikarnika means… Mani: Jewel, Karnam: Ear, Angad: Ornament.

According to another legend, Lord Vishnu dug a pond near this Ghat for Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati. While taking bath here, Goddess Parvati lost her earring and then Lord Shiva told the Brahmins of the Ghat to search for it. They found it but kept it to themselves. Lord Shiva became angry and cursed them to be untouchables forever and when they pleaded for forgiveness they were given the sacred fire which every human would require for attaining salvation. And Manikarnika Ghat became a prominent place for cremations. These Brahmins now called to be of the Dom caste are the ones who add the first five logs to the pyre and then hand over the fire from the sacred Kund to set the pyre ablaze.

“Asatoma sat gamaya, Tamasoma Jyotir gamaya, Mruthyoma amrutham gamaya” This shloka from Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad states the truth of life and request the supreme to take him from falsehood towards the truth, from darkness guide me to light, from death impart me eternal life (Moksha). Manikarnika Ghat is one such gateway through which one can break the vicious circle and achieve moksha.

Thus Manikarnika Ghat also known as Mahasmasana Ghat is a great place of religious importance in the Hindu religion.

MANIKARNIKA GHAT VIDEO

Towards the end of this video on Manikarnika Ghat you can see Harishchandra Ghat. It is also one of the oldest Ghats of Varanasi. Harishchandra Ghat is named after King Harishchandra, who once worked at this cremation ground for the perseverance of truth and charity. It is believed that the Gods rewarded him for his resolve, charity and truthfulness and restored to him his lost throne and his dead son, who was to be cremated here.

Just like cremations at Manikarnika Ghat, Hindus from distant places bring the dead bodies of their near and dear ones to the Harishchandra Ghat for cremation, though on a smaller scale. Here too it is believed that if a person is cremated, that person gets salvation or "Moksha".