Ghats
The riverfront ghats of Varanasi along the Ganga — aarti, boat rides and what each is known for.
11 listedVaranasi has around 84 ghats — broad stone steps where the city meets the Ganga. They are used for bathing, prayer, cremation and daily life, and a dawn boat ride past them is the classic Kashi experience.
Most are pilgrimage and bathing ghats; two — Manikarnika and Harishchandra — are cremation ghats, and Dashashwamedh hosts the grand evening Ganga Aarti. Use the listings below for each ghat location and what it is known for, or open the river-order Ghats Explorer for the full south-to-north sequence.
Shivala Ghat✓
Tulsi Ghat✓
Lalita Ghat✓
Assi Ghat✓
The southernmost ghat at the Assi–Ganga confluence, famed for the dawn Subah-e-Banaras aarti.
Manikarnika Ghat✓
The sacred cremation ghat where Kashi promises moksha — its pyres never go cold.
Dashashwamedh Ghat✓
Kashi's grandest ghat, host to the spectacular nightly Ganga Aarti.
Shivala Ghat✓
A 19th-century ghat of the Benares royal family, with a riverside Shiva temple and old fort.
Varanasi
Lalita Ghat✓
Home to the Nepali (Kathwala) temple and the Lalita Gauri shrine.
Tulsi Ghat✓
Where Goswami Tulsidas composed part of the Ramcharitmanas; home of the Nag Nathaiya leela.
Varanasi
Ganesh Ghat
Ganga Mahal Ghat✓
Ganga Mahal Ghat is one of the main ghats on the Ganges River in Varanasi, India.
Good to know
- A shared sunrise boat ride is cheapest; agree the price and duration before boarding.
- The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh is daily after sunset — arrive about 45 minutes early or watch from a boat.
- Manikarnika and Harishchandra are cremation ghats — observe quietly and do not photograph the pyres.
- Steps can be slippery and crowded; wear grippy footwear and keep an eye on your belongings.
- In the monsoon, floods can submerge lower ghats and shift the aarti spot — check locally.
Frequently asked
How many ghats are there in Varanasi?
There are about 84 ghats along the western bank of the Ganga; most were rebuilt in the 18th century. The best known are Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, Assi and Panchganga.
When is the Ganga Aarti and where?
The grand Ganga Aarti is held every evening after sunset at Dashashwamedh Ghat, with a smaller one at Assi. The time shifts with the season — see each ghat listing for current details.
How much does a boat ride cost?
Prices are negotiable and vary by season, duration and shared-versus-private. Agree a rate before boarding; the Fair-Price guide on this site lists typical ranges.
Which ghat is best for sunrise?
The Assi-to-Dashashwamedh stretch is the popular sunrise route. A boat lets you watch the whole riverfront light up and the bathing rituals begin.