OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Shivala Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat
Shivala Ghat

### Location

25º 17.652’ North and 83º 00.410’ East (south point of the Gularia Ghat).

##### Exact location on a map

Shivala–Gularia and Dandi Ghats

#### Area

0.58 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Historically, Shivala Ghat was widespread over the nearby ghats, and by the mid-19th century, this area was divided into five ghats. First of all, the king of Banaras, Balwant Singh, had made this ghat pucca in 1767, and later, in 1770, Chet Singh extended it when his palace was under construction. One of the important palaces close to the ghat was built by King Sanjay Vikram Shah in the late 19th century, who also built a Shiva temple. For the well-being of the pilgrims from south India, the king of Banaras has built a monastery named Brahmendra Math. In the upper part of the neighbourhood are the shrine of Hayagriva Keshava and the temple of Svapaneshvari, Svapaneshvara and Hanuman. Till the mid-20th century, this ghat was part of the grand celebration of Budhva Mangal (“the old Tuesday”). On that occasion, the area between Chet Singh Ghat and Shival Ghat was full of decorated boats where different parties of musical concerts performed their art. This tradition is now no more. However, a few years ago, the cultural division of Uttar Pradesh started this festival at Rajendra Prasad Ghat and is more inclined to attract Western tourists. The present structure of the ghat was made in 1988 by the irrigation department of the government of Uttar Pradesh.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple and monastery trusts, which directly manage their ashramas, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their perspectives without specific plans.

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control), the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better benefit of the society.

### Ownership

The respective temples, trusts, and residents own the specific properties along the ghat, while the municipal corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Karnataka Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat
Karnataka Ghat

### Location

25º 17.884’ North and 83º 00.446’ East (Ruru Bhairava at Karnataka Ghat).

##### Exact location on a map

Karnataka and Harishcandra Ghats

#### Area

0.29 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Till the early 20th century, Karnataka (or Mysore) Ghat was part of the Hanuman Ghat; however, in 1915, the area was purchased by the Estate of Mysore (Karnataka) and developed as Ghat. There is a ‘pilgrims rest house’ (Dharamshala) by the estate where most pilgrims from south India, especially Karnataka State, get shelter. The stone slab lane divides the two ghats, i.e. Hanuman Ghat and Karnataka Ghat. On the bank side, in a stone niche (madhi), there are worn images of Sati and Ruru Bhairava. Ruru Bhairava is among the eight who guard the inner sacred territory of Kashi; his old, broken image was replaced by a new one about a decade ago.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the Karnataka State Trust, which directly manages the palace and Dharamshala, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for the conservation and preservation of the ghats. The trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives without specific plans.

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control), the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better benefit of the society.

### Ownership

The respective temples, trusts, and residents own the specific properties along the Ghat, and the Municipal Corporation owns the Ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Harishcandra Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat
Harishcandra Ghat

### Location

25º 17.884’ North and 83º 00.446’ East (Ruru Bhairava at Karnataka Ghat).

##### Exact location on a map

Karnataka and Harishcandra Ghats

#### Area

0.29 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

The Harishcandra Ghat has been named after a great mythological king of the same name On Wikipedia ⇒ Harishchandra .
According to ancient tales, he once worked the cremation ground here for the preservation of truth and charity, but in the end, the gods rewarded him and restored his lost throne and his dead son to him (cf. Matya Purana, 8). This is one of the two cremation ghats, sometimes called Adi Manikarnika (“the original cremation ground”, cf. KKm 2.25-26), and Adi Manikarnika Tirtha still exists. This is also the seat of the old Harampapa water-tirtha. This Ghat was not described in the ancient mythologies; for the first time, Prinsep (1822) and Sherring (1868) mentioned this as Shmashana Ghat. It is speculated that when the city expanded towards the south in abbreviated form, the cremation ghat was also replicated, which is evident by the Sati images of the 15th-16th century scattered near this Ghat. It can readily be accepted that during the 15th-16th century, there was already an active cremation ground, as also described in the Kedara Amtaragriha Yatra (KKm). In ca 1741, Narayana Dikshita, a religious guru of the Peshvas, renovated this Ghat and made it partly pucca. In a mid-18th century painting preserved in Savai Mansingh-II Museum (Jaipur, Rajasthan), this Ghat was referred to as Shamashana Ghat.
In the upper part of the shrines, there are images of Harishcandreshvara, Rohiteshvara, Adi Manikarnikeshvara, and Vriddha Kedara. At the bank of the open tower is a linga of Shmasaneshvara. In 1988, an electric crematorium was opened; however, side-by-side funerals on wood fire are continuing; of course, the electric crematorium rarely functions due to a shortage of power supply.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the Karnataka State Trust, which is directly taking care of the palace and Dharamshala, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for the conservation and preservation of the ghats. The trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives without specific plans.

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control), the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better benefit of the society.

### Ownership

The respective temples, trusts, and residents own the specific properties along the Ghat, and the Municipal Corporation owns the Ghat area.

#### On Wikipedia

On Wikipedia ⇒ Harishchandra
On Google Map ⇒ Harishchandra Ghat Varanasi
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Kshemeshvara Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Chauki Ghat to Chausatthi Ghat
Kshemeshvara, Manasarovara and Narada Ghats

### Location

25º 18.082’ North and 83º 00.397’ East (Kshemeshvara temple)

##### Exact location on a map

Kshemeshvara - Manasarovara and Narada Ghats

#### Area

0.147 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

A 19th century temple of Shiva near the ghat is believed to contain the linga established by one of Shiva’s associate, Kshemaka Gana, that is how the name of the temple is Kshemeshvara which has been accepted as name of the ghat. Till the 19th century a sewer drain was meeting at this ghat, therefore the name Nala Ghat in earlier references, e.g. Prinsep (1822) and Sherring (1868). This drain has later been connected to the sewer pump station at the Cauki Ghat. The upper part of the ghat was purchased by the monastery of Kumarasvami in 1962 which has constructed a building with shrines and rest houses for pilgrims. In 1958 the government of Uttar Pradesh has built this ghat pucca. There is notable significance of this ghat with respect to religious and cultural performances. Present state of conservation
Except for the monastery and trust directly taking care of their properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their perspectives without specific plans.

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by the support of active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.

### Ownership

The respective trusts own the monastic properties along the ghat; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Manasarovara Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Chauki Ghat to Chausatthi Ghat
Kshemeshvara, Manasarovara and Narada Ghats

### Location

25º 18.082’ North and 83º 00.397’ East (Kshemeshvara temple)

##### Exact location on a map

Kshemeshvara - Manasarovara and Narada Ghats

#### Area

0.147 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

As a natural site of bathing and sacred spot the ghat has been mentioned in the Giravana-padamanjari (early 17th century). During late 17th century Raja Man Singh, the king of Amber (Rajasthan), has built a water pool (kunda) called Manasarovara Kunda in the nearby area and made the ghat pucca. The importance of the water pool has been eulogised that it gives the same merit like that of Manasarovara Lake in Tibet. With this perception the ghat is called Manasarovara ghat. Late again in 1805 the king family has repaired the ghat and renovated the area. However, in passage of time with the urban sprawl and population expansion the water pool was transformed into a well, called Manasarovara Kupa, presently existing into Andhra ashram. The ghat was deserted during the early 20th century; however in 1958 the government of Uttar Pradesh has re-built and made it fully pucca.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the monastery and trust directly taking care of their properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their perspectives without specific plans.

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.

### Ownership

The respective trusts own the monastic properties along the ghat; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Narada Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Chauki Ghat to Chausatthi Ghat
Kshemeshvara, Manasarovara and Narada Ghats

### Location

25º 18.082’ North and 83º 00.397’ East (Kshemeshvara temple)

##### Exact location on a map

Kshemeshvara - Manasarovara and Narada Ghats

#### Area

0.147 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

According to legend the linga of Naradeshvara was installed by the great mythical sage Narada. Narada Ghat was mentioned as Kuvai Ghat by Prinsep (1822). This was constructed by Svami Sativedananda Dattatreya, a monastery chief of south India, in ca1888. The same Svami built the temple of Dattatreyeshvara, Dattatreya Math, and several nearby buildings. During the 19th century, the old shrine of Naradeshvara was renovated, and the ghat received the name Narada Ghat, as mentioned by Greaves (1909). The important images on the upper side are of Naradeshvara, Atrishvara, Vasukishvara, and Dattatreyeshvara. There is a huge holy fig tree under its roots, and fragments of images belong to the 12th-13th century. In 1965, the government of Uttar Pradesh repaired and built the ghat pucca.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the monastery and trust directly taking care of their properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their perspectives without specific plans.

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.

### Ownership

The respective trusts own the monastic properties along the ghat; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site

#### Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat

* Prabhu Ghat
* Chet Singh Ghat and Palace
* Niranjani Ghat
* Mahanirvani Ghat
* Shivala Ghats
* Gularia Ghat
* Dandi Ghat
* Hanuman Ghat and Rameshvara Temple
* Karnataka Ghat
* Harishcandra Ghat
* Lali Ghat
* Vijayanagara Ghat
* Kedara Ghat and Kedareshvara temple
⇒ Index
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Vijayanagara Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat
Vijayanagara Ghats

### Location

25º 17.951’ North and 83º 00.467’ East (Jyeshtha Vinayaka, Lali Ghat)

##### Exact location on a map

Lali and Vijayanagara Ghats

#### Area

0.156 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

The lower part of Kedara Ghat was separately developed as ghat by making it pucca and also constructing a small palatial building, in south Indian architectural style, by the king of Vijayanagaram in 1890. That is how this is called as Vijayanagaram Ghat. Greaves (1909) has already mentioned this ghat under the name “Ijanagar Ghat”, perhaps wrongly spelling the real name. Later, the king had donated this palace to a great saint Svami Karapatri-Ji, which he adopted as his residence and passed most of his life here. Presently this is known as Svami Karapatri Ashram. The western part, close to the lane contains the shrines of Nispaneshvara and Nilakantha. In 1958 the government of Uttar Pradesh has built and renovated the ghat.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the Svami Karapatri Trust and Svami Bhumananda Trust, which directly manage their properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their own perspectives without specific plans.
On 22 January 2007, VDA notified Sri Vibhusit Swami of demolition orders for the illegal extensions of Bhuma Niketan.
Despite VDA issuing demolition orders for this illegal construction on 22 January 2007, it has continued to exist for 6 years, violating not only the above Government Order prohibiting construction but also encroaching on the Ghats, which are public property.
When the Allahabad Court inquired why the demolition order had not been carried out, VDA stated "that the Bhuma Niketan was not extended but only covered with new glass". (as per Serial No. 53 in the VDA report included in its affidavit dated 24 Jan 2013) The judges of the High Court of Allahabad labelled this report as "nothing but an act to protect the illegal constructions" (PIL 31229 of 2005 ' 14.03.13)

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.

### Ownership

The respective trusts own the two specific properties along the ghat; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
⇒ Index
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Lali Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat
Lali Ghat

### Location

25º 17.951’ North and 83º 00.467’ East (Jyeshtha Vinayaka, Lali Ghat)

##### Exact location on a map

Lali and Vijayanagara Ghats

#### Area

0.156 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

The Lali (or sometimes called Lalli) Ghat, according to folk legends, was given name after a famous mystic saint of the late 18th century, Lali Baba, of Champaran (Bihar), who established his monastery here, known as Gudaradas Akhara (B 6/ 94). Its recording can supplement this over the map of Banaras prepared by Prinsep in 1822. In the late 1770s, the Raja of Banaras partly repaired and made a portion of it pucca. However, in 1890, the king of Vijayanagara (south India), together with the construction of a new ghat nearby, made this ghat pucca. In 1988, the irrigation department of the government of Uttar Pradesh rebuilt this ghat and made it fully pucca. In the upper part, there are shrines of Lamodara and Chintamani Vinayakas. At the bank in a huge stone niche (madhi) there are images of Jyestha Vinayaka, Kirateshvara, Jayanta Linga and Maha Lakshmi. The stone step linking the ghat consists of several niches containing divine images. The upper part of the Lali Ghat was purchased by a monastery of Haridvara in 1990, and a completely renovated building (no. B 6/ 99) has been constructed, giving honour to the founder. This ghat is called Dandi Svami Bhumananda Ghat.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the Svami Karapatri Trust and Svami Bhumananda Trust directly taking care of their properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their own perspectives without specific plans.
On 22 January 2007, VDA notified Sri Vibhusit Swami of demolition orders for the illegal extensions of Bhuma Niketan.
Despite VDA issuing demolition orders for this illegal construction on 22 January 2007, it has continued to exist for 6 years, violating not only the above Government Order prohibiting construction but also encroaching on the Ghats, which are public property.
When the Allahabad Court inquired why the demolition order had not been carried out, VDA stated "that the Bhuma Niketan was not extended but only covered with new glass". (as per Serial No. 53 in the VDA report included in its affidavit dated 24 Jan 2013) The judges of the High Court of Allahabad labelled this report as "nothing but an act to protect the illegal constructions" (PIL 31229 of 2005 ' 14.03.13)

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.

### Ownership

The respective trusts own the two specific properties along the ghat; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
⇒ Index
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Pande Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Chauki Ghat to Chausatthi Ghat
Khori, Pandey and Sarveshvara Ghats

### Location

25º 18.207’ North and 83º 00.519’ East (Sarveshvara temple)

##### Exact location on a map

Khori – Pande and Sarveshvara Ghats

#### Area

0.126 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Babua Pande Ghat is the southern part of the Sarveshvara Ghat. In its vicinity lies the old water-front site of Prabhasa Tirtha, but presently the rituals on the name of Prabhasa Turth are performed near the Raja Ghat. The scene of this ghat has been dominated prominently by the Dhobis (washermen) so much that Motichand (1985) has described it as Dhobi Ghat. The landmark at this ghat is the wrestling place (no. D 24/ 17-19 and D 25/24) opened by Babua Pande.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple trusts directly taking care of their properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their perspectives without specific plans.

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.

### Ownership

The temple-related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trusts, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Khori (Sarveshvara) Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Chauki Ghat to Chausatthi Ghat
Khori, Pandey and Sarveshvara Ghats

### Location

25º 18.207’ North and 83º 00.519’ East (Sarveshvara temple)

##### Exact location on a map

Khori – Pande and Sarveshvara Ghats

#### Area

0.126 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Also known as Ganga Mahal Ghat, the Khori Ghat was made pucca in the late 19th century by Kavindra Narayan Singh. At the top, a compound of five temples presents a magnificent view. Presently, this ghat is neglected with respect to religious and cultural festivities. Even for daily sacred baths, visitors do not prefer this ghat. In ca 1805 Babua Pande, a wealthy Brahmin of Chhapra (Bihar) has built a wrestling place and made this ghat pucca, which resulted to called it Babua Pande Ghat. Prinsep (1822) mentioned it as Panree Ghat; remember that Prinsep, in almost all cases, misspelled the names. As mentioned in the Giravan-padamanjari (17th century) this was described as Sarveshvara Ghat.
There is a temple of Someshvara in the vicinity. The ghat was reconstructed in 1965 by the government of Uttar Pradesh.
Sarveshvara Ghat is mentioned in the Giravan-padamanjari (17th century), which testifies its historicity. However, the overall space of the ghat was made pucca by Mathura Pandey's patronage in the late 18th century. The ancient water-front site of Ganga Keshava Tirtha is described as close to the ghat.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple trusts directly taking care of their properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their perspectives without specific plans.

### Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.

### Ownership

The temple-related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trusts, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation.