This photo was taken at Mehta Ghat in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). Upon query about the statue, I was told by a local – Kartik Poornima is a festival and worship day of Bhishma Pitamah by devotees at various Ghats of Varanasi. During the festival day, statues are made by devotees.

Thanks, said I, for enhancing my knowledge.

Panchganga Ghat

Panchganga Ghat is one of the five most ancient Tirtha (Ghats) of Kashi and one of the most vibrant Ghats at present. Since ancient times, it has been recognized as the second head of Kashi (after Adikeshwar) in the form of Vishnu Kshetra. Due to the presence of Vindumadhava (Vishnu) temple on the ghat, its ancient name was Vindumadhava Ghat. In front of the ghat, Panchnad Tirtha is prominent among the Tirthas situated in the Ganga. After Aurangzeb destroyed the main temple (Bindumadhav) of the Ghat in the seventeenth century and converted it into a mosque, the name of the Ghat became Panchnad or Panchganga.

The initial mention of Vindmadhav Tirtha (Ghat) is found in Matsyapurana. According to popular legend, Vishnu reached Adikeshav in Kashi by the order of Shiva. While visiting Kashi, reached the Panchnad pilgrimage where an ascetic named Agrivindu was engrossed in Vishnu’s Aradhana. Seeing the Vishnu in front of him, he praised and when he was pleased, asked for a boon to do the welfare of the devotees. Panchnad should reside only on the pilgrimage, which was accepted by Vishnu. It is believed that since then Vishnu became famous by the name of Vindumadhava.

Its detailed mention is found in Kashi Khand and Kashi Rahasya by the name of Panchnad Tirtha. It is believed that there is a confluence of four other rivers Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana, and Dhritapapa invisibly in Ganga, due to which it is called Panchganga or Panchnad Tirtha. From the point of view of religious and cultural activities, this Ghat is especially important for the Vaishnava community. This ghat is considered to be the area of Kanchipuri under Chha-Puri located in Kashi. The fruit that you get by taking a bath in Prayag in the entire month of Magh is obtained by just taking a one-day bath at the Panchganga Ghat in Kashi. Bathing at this ghat has special significance even in the month of Kartik. There is a maximum crowd from Ekadashi of Shukal Paksha of Kartik month to Purnima. There are many ghats and buildings located in the vicinity of the Ghat, in which the Kangan Haveli Tailang Swami Math is famous.

इस घाट का निर्माण संवत् 1876 (1820 ई.) में श्रीमंत महारानी गहिना बाई साहेब गायकवाड़ द्वारा कराया गया था। 1923 ई. में बड़ौदा के महामहिम महाराजा श्री सयाजीराव तृतीय द्वारा कुछ लागत पर मरम्मत की गई।

(English to Hindi Translation by Google Translate)

Metal Wire Puzzles – This photo was taken at Raja Ghat in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).

Gariban is busy making metal wire puzzles.

20 – 25 Rupees is the cost.

Clean Ganga Initiative – This photo was taken at Rana Mahal Ghat in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).

Inspiring Quote by Nelson Mandela – This photo was taken at Rana Mahal Ghat in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).

This Ghat and Palace were built by Rana Jagat Singh, the king of Udaipur, in the late 17th century. That is why this Ghat was named Rana Mahal Ghat. In 1675 AD, Rana Jagat Singh visited Kashi and resided in the palace situated on this Ghat. The palace situated at Ghat is a beautiful example of Rajasthani architecture.

According to Puranas, Lord Brahma had performed Dus (ten) Ashwamedha Yagya Here. By taking a bath here one gets the fruits of Ashwamedha Yagya. Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main place in the Ghats of Kashi. A group of travelers is visible here in the morning and evening. This place is also called Brahma Dwar. Its ancient name is Rudra Sarovar. With the Arrival of Ganga, Rudra Sarovar itself merged with the pilgrimage Ganga and that place remained the main pilgrimage site of Kashi and it started to be called Prayag Rajghat. Among the ghats of Kashi, three ghats are prominent, among them, this ghat is also the main one. Whatever work is done here is renewable. The present ghat was built in 1748 by Balaji Bajirao Peshwa. Aarti of Ganga ji is performed here in the morning and evening.