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

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat
Durga Ghat

### Location

25º 19.029’ North and 83º 01.126’ East (Durga Ghat, centre). 25º 19.067’ North and 83º 01.145’ East (Brahma Ghat, centre).

##### Exact location on a map

Durga and Brahma Ghats

#### Area

0.225 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

On the northern side of the upper part, there is a temple of Brahmacarini Durga (no. K 22/ 17), from where the name of the ghat derived, i.e. Durga Ghat. The 17th-century text Giravana-padamanjari has described this ghat. In 1742, Narayana Dikshita, a guru of Peshvas, purchased land from resident fishermen and built two ghats: Durga and the succeeding one, Brahma Ghats. This was rebuilt and repaired in 1830 by Nana Phadanavisa, a finance secretary (Divan) of Gwalior Estate, whose building at the top of the ghat is known as Phadanivisa Wada. At the ghat exist the two water-front sacred spots, i.e. Markandeya and Kharva Narasimha Tirthas, and at the top is the shrine of Kharva Narasimha. In 1958, the government of Uttar Pradesh repaired and rebuilt the ghat. The steps from the ghat leading to the upper part are built in an archetypal frame, i.e. after nine steps there lies a platform, the steps symbolise the nine forms of Durga. This ghat is an active place for religious festivities and also for the annual competition of fighting, wrestling and mettle in the month of Karttika (October/November).

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives.

### 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 trust, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Brahma Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat
Brahma Ghat

### Location

25º 19.029’ North and 83º 01.126’ East (Durga Ghat, centre). 25º 19.067’ North and 83º 01.145’ East (Brahma Ghat, centre).

##### Exact location on a map

Durga and Brahma Ghats

#### Area

0.225 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

The 13th-century image of Brahma in the climbing steps and temple of Brahmeshvara (no. K 22/ 82) was honoured by the name of this ghat, Brahma Ghat. According to a tale, when Brahma first came to this city, he had settled at this ghat. With Durga Ghat, this ghat was made pucca by Narayana Dikshita in 1742. There are two lanes of climbing steps, and both are made on the archetypal frame. In the lane leading to Brahmeshvara Shiva temple, each after five steps, there is a platform; the number five symbolises the five gross elements of organic reality controlled by Shiva (i.e. earth, water, fire, sky and air). In the lane leading to Brahma, each after four, there is a platform; the number four symbolises the four mouths of Brahma, i.e. four directions. There are two water-front sacred spots near the bank, viz. Bhairava and Vindu Madhav Tirthas. One of the notable buildings is Shri Kashi Math Samsthan: Sudhindra Tirtha Svami, belonging to the Gauda Sarasvata Brahmin community of south India. On the terraces of this monastery are the temples of Vindu Madhava (II) and Lakshmi Narasimha. It is believed that Shankara stayed here in the 8th century when he came to Kashi.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives.

### 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 trust, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Bundi Parkota Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat
Bundi Parkota Ghat

### Location

25º 19.028’ North and 83º 00.197’ East (Shitala Devi temple, K 20/ 19). 2. Exact location on a map: Bundi Parkota and Shitala Ghats are downstream from the river. 3. Area (in ha) of proposed property: 0.02ha (three separate properties)

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Formerly, this ghat was known as Adi Vishveshvara, as referred to in the Giravanapada-manjari in the 17th century, and later as Raj Mandir Ghat. In ca 1580, this ghat was partly made of stone, stepped by the king of Bundi (Rajasthan), Raja Rao Surajan ‘Hada’. The remains of the grand palace he built are still visible along the ghat. Again, in the mid-19th century, repairs were made, and a portion of the building was made of stone. Near the ghat is a temple of Vishveshvara, which gave the name to the ghat.
Till the early 20th century, the Bundi Parkota ghat extended up to Shitala Ghat, but later, the portion in close affinity to Shitala was named after her, i.e. Shitala Ghat. This extended part of the Bundi Parkota ghat was also built by King ‘Hada’ in ca 1580. Later on, in 1772, the ghat was repaired by Narayana Diskita. In the early 19th century, the king of Bundi, Raja Rao Pritam Singh, rebuilt and repaired this ghat.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple trust and the local public organisations, which work in their own ways, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats.

### 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

Their Temple Trusts own the temple; the Municipal Corporation manages the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Shitala Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat
Shitala Ghat

### Location

25º 19.028’ North and 83º 00.197’ East (Shitala Devi temple, K 20/ 19). 2. Exact location on a map: Bundi Parkota and Shitala Ghats are downstream from the river. 3. Area (in ha) of proposed property: 0.02ha (three separate properties)

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Till the early 20th century, the Bundi Parkota Ghat extended up to (Adi) Shitala ghat, but later, the portion in close affinity to Shitala was named after her, i.e. Shitala Ghat. This extended part of the Bundi Parkota ghat was also built by King ‘Hada’ in ca 1580. Later on, in 1772, the ghat was repaired by Narayana Diskita. In the early 19th century, the king of Bundi, Raja Rao Pritam Singh, rebuilt and repaired this ghat.
In 1958, the government of Uttar Pradesh repaired the two ghats and set out the nameplates. It is believed that the image of Shitala is the original image of Nageshvari (“Goddess of snakes”). There are three goddess images on the same altar, vis. Narayani, Shitala and Nageshvari. Karnaditya Tirtha and Sankha Madhava are other puranic sacred spots. There are also some Sati stones in the vicinity.

### Description and History

Like the other Shitala temples, on every 8th light-half of the months of Caitra, Vaishakha and Ashadha (March-July), festivities occur in honour of the mother goddess. The worship of Shitala (“coolness”) has an ancient history in Bengal. She is worshipped in the hope that she will preserve her worshippers from skin diseases like small and chicken poxes. Where there is an old shrine of Shitala, there should certainly be nima, margosa (Melia azadirachta). The name is a strong herbal tree that provides coolness to the victim of small and chicken poses. It is still very commonly used in herbal or alternative medicine. Shitala is the goddess of that healing spirit. That is how her worship helps to awaken the natural spirit for the well-being of the devotees. The soft branches of nima are also used as truth brushes in most parts of the village in India.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple trust and the local public organisations, which work in their ways, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats.

### 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

Their Temple Trusts own the temple; the Municipal Corporation manages the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Hanuman Garhi Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat
Hanuman Garhi Ghat

### Location

25º 19.198’ North and 83º 01.232’ East (Lal Ghat, centre). 25º 19.049’ North and 83º 01.210’ East (Gopreksheshvara temple). 25º 19.228’ North and 83º 01.261’ East (Hanuman Garhi Ghat, centre).

##### Exact location on a map

Lal Ghat and Hanuman Garhi Ghat

#### Area

0.12 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Till 1950, Hanumangarhi Ghat was the southern part of Gai Ghat. A holy man, Shyamalal Mahatyagi, a resident of Bihar and having affinity to the Hanumangarhi temple of Ayodhya, was living here and built a Hanuman temple. With time, this has been called Hanumangarhi Ghat. In 1972, one of the disciples of Shyamalal, named Tekacand Shahu, made the ghat pucca. In 1980, another disciple, Ramana Mahatyagi, built a commemorative monastery in honour of his guru, Mahatyagi Ashram, which runs the temple and the ashram. In this ashram, together with providing food and shelter to students of Sanskrit, there is an arrangement for education and training in Yoga, Tantra, astronomy and old Sanskrit texts. The wrestling site, the Ganga Akhara, and a memorial Sati stone are in the upper part.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the two trusts that manage its 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.

### 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 trust-related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trusts, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat

* Durga Ghat
* Brahma Ghat
* Bundi Parkota Ghat
* Shitala Ghat
* Lal Ghat
* Hanuman Garhi Ghat
* Gaia Ghat
* Badri Narayan Ghat
* Trilocan Ghat and Trilocaneshvara Temple
* Kala Bhairava
⇒ Index
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Gola Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prahalad Ghat to Raj Ghat
Gola Ghat

### Location

-- 25º 19.184’ North and 83º 01.387’ East (Gola Ghat, centre). 25º 19.214’ North and 83º 01.390’ East (Nandishvara Ghat, centre).

##### Exact location on a map

Gola–Nandishvara–Sakka– Phuta Ghats

#### Area

0.075 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Since the late 12th century, Gola Ghat was a ferry point known for several granaries (gola), from where the name derived. However, the site lost its importance after opening the bridge at Raj Ghat in 1887. Over time, the ghat became deserted. The Municipal Corporation, with the support of the government's irrigation department of Uttar Pradesh, renovated and built this ghat pucca in 1988. At this ghat, a puranic water-front sacred spot exists, viz. Pishegila Tirtha. This ghat has no cultural or religious importance. Washermen use a portion of this ghat to clean the clothes.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives.

### 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 temple related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trust; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Nandishvara Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prahalad Ghat to Raj Ghat
Nandishvara Ghat

### Location

-- 25º 19.184’ North and 83º 01.387’ East (Gola Ghat, centre). 25º 19.214’ North and 83º 01.390’ East (Nandishvara Ghat, centre).

##### Exact location on a map

Gola–Nandishvara–Sakka– Phuta Ghats

#### Area

0.075 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

At this ghat, a temple called Nandishvara is in the upper part. As a mark of respect, the residents, with their collective efforts, built this temple in the early 19th century. One portion of it was built in pucca by Dvarikanath Chakravorty (of Bhavanipur, West Bengal) in 1940, who also constructed a mansion (A 4/ 13). There are stone steps from the bank to the upper part, and on the way to the right side, on a platform, there is a complex of several small shrines and temples, which also includes a shrine of Bhrigu Keshav (Vishnu). In 1988, the government's irrigation department made this ghat pucca. In the recent past a wrestling site (akhara), named Nanishvara Akhara has also been opened where one can get training of Indian style of wrestling and art of body-making. The ghat area is occupied by basket and pole makers, a professional caste considered low in the hierarchy.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives.

### 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 temple related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trust; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Detailed description of each heritage Site
## The Riverfront & Old City Heritage Zone
#### Asi Ghat to Pancakota Ghat

* Jagannath temple complex
* Lakshminarayan Temple
* Sangameshvaran Temple
* Assi Ghat
* Ganga Mahal
* Rivan Ghat
* Lolarkeshvara and Lolarka Kund
* Tulasi Ghat
* Arka Vinayaka
* Bhadaini Ghat
* Bhadaini
* Janaki Ghat
* Anandamayi Ghat
* Vaccharaja Ghat
* Jain Ghat
* Nishadaraja ghat
* Pancakota ghat

#### 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

#### Chauki Ghat to Chausatthi Ghat

* Cauki Ghat and Environs
* Kshemeshvara Ghat
* Manasarovara Ghat
* Narada Ghat
* Raja Ghat and Temple compound
* Khori Ghats
* Pande Ghat
* Digpatiya Ghat
* Causatthi Ghat

#### Ranamahal Ghat to Tripurabhairavi Ghat

* Jangambari Math Area
* Agastyeshvara (Agastakunda)
* Rana Mahal Ghat
* Darbhanga Ghat
* Munshi Ghat
* Ahilyabai Ghat
* Shitala Temple and Ghat
* Dashashvamedha Ghat and nearby Temples
* Prayageshvara and Shulatankeshvara Temples
* Rajendra Prasad (old Ghoda) Ghat
* Man Mandir and Man Singh Observatory
* Tripurabhairavi Ghat

#### Mir Ghat to Bajirao Ghat

* Mir Ghat
* Phuta Ghat
* Nepali Ghat
* Lalita Ghat and Temples
* Samarajeshvara Temple
* Jalashayi (Jalasen) Ghat
* Khiraki Ghat
* Upper part of Manikarnika Ghat
* Manikarnika Ghat
* Bajirao Ghat

#### Scindhia Ghat to Pancaganga Ghat

* Scindhya Ghat
* Sankatha Ghat
* Siddheshvari and other temples
* Pancakroshi Temple
* Gopal Mandir
* Ganga Mahala (II)
* Bhonshala Ghats
* Agnishvara (Naya) Ghat
* Ganesha Ghat
* Mehta Ghat
* Rama Ghat
* Jatar Ghat
* Raja Gwalior Ghat
* Mangala Gauri Ghat and Temple
* Veni Madhava Ghat
* Pancaganga Ghat and Temple
* Aurangazeb Mosque at Pancaganga Ghat

#### Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat

* Durga Ghat
* Brahma Ghat
* Bundi Parkota Ghat
* Shitala Ghat
* Lal Ghat
* Hanuman Garhi Ghat
* Gaia Ghat
* Badri Narayan Ghat
* Trilocan Ghat and Trilocaneshvara Temple
* Kala Bhairava

#### Prahalad Ghat to Raj Ghat

* Gola Ghat
* Nandishvara Ghat
* Sakka Ghat
* Telianala Ghat
* Phuta (Naya) Ghat
* Prahalad Ghat
* Raj Ghat Kshetra
* Ganje-Shahida Mosque at Raj Ghat

## The Core: Adi Vishvanatha, Vishvanatha, Vishalakshi Kshetra

* Dharmakupa Kshetra
* Vishalakshi Temple
* Annapurna temple
* Vishvanatha temple
* Adi Vishvanatha
* Jnanavapi Mosque
* Razia Mosque

## Other Heritage Property across the Ganga river

* Ramanagar Fort
* Ramalila at Ramanagar
⇒ Index
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Sakka Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prahalad Ghat to Raj Ghat
Sakka Ghat

### Location

-- 25º 19.233’ North and 83º 01.392’ East (Sakka Ghat, centre). -- 25º 19.271’ North and 83º 01.400’ East (Phuta Ghat, centre).

##### Exact location on a map

Sakka–Telianala and Phuta (Naya) Ghats

#### Area

0.045 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

Considering the existence of the water-front sacred spot of Pranava Tirtha as described in the Puranic literature, this area was developed into a frame of a ghat in the late 18th century; later on, this ghat was called Sukka or Sakka Ghat. The ghat was made fully pucca by the irrigation department of the government of Uttar Pradesh in 1988. Close to this ghat is a Haridas Sevashram Trust (Mukimganj, A 7/ 22), which contains the image of Balacandreshvara Shiva. Except for the one, there is no significant temple or shrine. Most of the ghat is occupied by the washermen to clean dirty clothes.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its perspectives.

### 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 temple-related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trust, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Telianala Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prahalad Ghat to Raj Ghat
TelianalaGhat

### Location

-- 25º 19.233’ North and 83º 01.392’ East (Sakka Ghat, centre). -- 25º 19.271’ North and 83º 01.400’ East (Phuta Ghat, centre).

##### Exact location on a map

Sakka–Telianala and Phuta (Naya) Ghats

#### Area

0.045 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

According to legends, the predominance of an oil-pressing community (Teli) settled along the nearby ancient drain (nala), which has assumed the name of a ghat, Telianala. The historicity of this ghat is evident from one of the paintings of the 17th-18th century preserved in the Savai Mansingh Museum (Jaipur, Rajasthan), where the ghat and the drain are shown. Prinsep (1822) has also demonstrated this ghat. The old drain was closed in 1988 when the irrigation department of the government of Uttar Pradesh built the ghat pucca. This ghat has no religious significance, except that the existence of the puranic water-front sacred spot of Hiranyagarbha Tirtha was referred to here. Presently, the ghat is occupied by washermen who clean the clothes.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives.

### 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 temple-related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trust, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Phuta (Naya) Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prahalad Ghat to Raj Ghat
Phuta Ghat

### Location

-- 25º 19.233’ North and 83º 01.392’ East (Sakka Ghat, centre). -- 25º 19.271’ North and 83º 01.400’ East (Phuta Ghat, centre).

##### Exact location on a map

Sakka–Telianala and Phuta (Naya) Ghats

#### Area

0.045 ha

### Historical/cultural/natural significance

The earlier name of the Naya (“new”) ghat was Phuta or Phuteshvara Ghat, related to the shrine of Phuteshvara Shiva, which is still an active sacred place in the neighbourhood. It is said that during the 18th century, the ghat was deserted (Phuta), but later on, it was renovated and got a new (Naya) shape called Phuta, or Naya Ghat. Prinsep (1822) has also mentioned this ghat. In the early 20th century, Narsingh Japal, a wealthy resident of Chainpur (Bhabhua, Bihar), made it a pucca and constructed a mansion. Greaves (1909) mentioned this ghat as Naya Ghat. The government authorities made this ghat pucca in 1988.

### Present state of conservation

Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives.

### 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 temple-related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trust, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation.
# The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Prahalad Ghat to Raj Ghat

* Gola Ghat
* Nandishvara Ghat
* Sakka Ghat
* Telianala Ghat
* Phuta (Naya) Ghat
* Prahalad Ghat
* Raj Ghat Kshetra
* Ganje-Shahida Mosque at Raj Ghat
⇒ Index