Manikarnika Ghat, the oldest and most famous cremation ghat in Varanasi, is a place where death, spirituality, and history come together. It’s in a way that few places on Earth can match. While most people know it as a site of cremation, it is believed that if a person is cremated here, that person immediately attains moksha (salvation).
It is bound on both sides by the Scindia Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat. Death is celebrated here in a sense; it is seen as liberation and salvation from the cycle of birth and death. The ghat is considered one of the holiest places in Hinduism for last rites. It is a spiritual powerhouse, enveloped in ancient mythology, mystery, and untold facts that make it stand apart from any other ghat.
History Behind It:
Manikarnika Ghat is surrounded by a fascinating mythological story, which also tells us how it acquired its name. It is believed that when Goddess Adi Shakti, or Goddess Sati, jumped into the fire and immolated herself, Lord Shiva carried her burning body to the Himalayas. There, he was immersed in unending sorrow. Lord Vishnu, moved by his difficulty, sent forth his Divine Chakra (one of his weapons), which cut Goddess Adi Shakti’s body into 51 pieces. Each of the places where her pieces fell on Earth was declared a Shakti Peeth. Because her earrings fell at this ghat, it was established as a Shakti Peeth and named Manikarnika, since Manikarna in Sanskrit means “earrings.”
Here are 10 unknown facts about Manikarnika Ghat that will shine a new light on this sacred site and change the way you see it.
1. The Fire That Never Stops Burning
One of the most unseen spiritual sides of Manikarnika Ghat is the eternal funeral fire that has been continuously burning for centuries. This fire is used to cremate bodies and is said to never go out, not even in the face of floods, storms, or natural calamities. It is believed that the flames represent the eternal cycle of life and death.
2. The Name Has Spiritual Origin Story
The name itself, Manikarnika has roots in Hindu mythology. It is believed that Lord Shiva, in his cosmic dance (Tandav), dropped his precious earring (manikarnika) at this spot. Another version of the story suggests that Goddess Parvati lost her jewel in this place, making this ghat sacred in many spiritual traditions.
3. This Ghat is Older Than Our History
Manikarnika Ghat is one of the oldest ghats in India and even the world. With references in ancient Vedic texts, Puranas, and the Mahabharata, this place is older than most of what we know about Varanasi. Some of us believe that it is older than Varanasi, also known as Benaras or Kashi. It’s actually older than the old.
4. The Pathway to Moksha
Hindus believe that being cremated at Manikarnika Ghat guarantees moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). It’s said that souls are freed from the bondage of life and death, reaching ultimate spiritual liberation. This is why people travel from across India to have their loved ones cremated here.
5. Hidden Sacred Pond: Manikarnika Kund
It is located just behind the ghat; the Manikarnika Kund is a sacred water tank believed to be created by Lord Vishnu using his Sudarshan Chakra. The tank is said to have been used for purification rituals, although it’s not commonly visited by tourists, adding to its aura of mystery and sacredness. Manikarnika Kund, also known as Chakra Pushkarini.
6. Women Were Traditionally Not Allowed
Old traditions dictate that women were not allowed to attend cremation rituals at Manikarnika Ghat. This was considered to prevent emotional disturbances during the intense ceremonies at the ground, as it is believed that doing so would invoke the curse. Residents and priests around Manikarnika Ghat hold firm beliefs in the curse by local superstitions, reinforcing the significance of adhering to rituals and traditions. However, this custom has softened in recent years, and more women are seen participating in the rituals nowadays.
7. Over 80-100 Dead Bodies Cremations Per Day
In Manikarnika Ghat, there are more than 80-100 dead bodies cremated every day. The funeral fires burn continuously, with new ones lit as the previous ones complete. This never-ending activity of life and death symbolises the ongoing cycle of existence, one of the major values in Hinduism.
8. A Leaning Shiva Temple Lies Beneath
It is also known as Ratneswar Mahadev Temple beneath the ghat; especially during monsoon season, when the Ganges rises, there is a submerged Shiva temple that holds sacred significance. It is accessible only for a couple of months during the summer. This temple is also known as Matri-rin Mahadev or the Leaning Temple of Varanasi. Local legends say the temple has been hidden under the river for centuries, its spiritual energy keeping the ghat safe from evil energies.
9. The Doms—The Eternal Guardians
© Shubhodeep Roy
The Dom community, the caretakers of the cremation rituals at Manikarnika Ghat, are the custodians of the eternal flame. They have been entrusted with the sacred duty of cremating dead bodies, a responsibility passed down for generations. Their spiritual role and connection to the fire are crucial in keeping the sacred traditions alive. Hindus believe that the dead man would not be able to attain ‘salvation’ unless the ‘dom raja’ lights the pyre first. The history of the ‘Doms’ in Varanasi was believed to be as old as the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana.’
10. A Spiritual Symbol of Life’s Journey and Its End
At Manikarnika Ghat, you witness the perfect balance of life and death. While children are born at nearby ghats like Tulsi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat witnesses constant deaths. The presence of both birth and death in this area is a living representation of the Hindu Sanatani concept of the eternal cycle of death and rebirth.
Sacred Closing:
Manikarnika Ghat is not just a place for cremations—it is a living witness to the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The myths, rituals, and spiritualism that surround it and make it one of the most sacred with uncommon locations in India. For anyone who wishes to understand the spiritual heart of Varanasi, then this ghat offers more than just a glimpse. It offers an experience that resonates deeply with life’s impermanence and the pursuit of liberation. And it is the hard reality of life, the impermanence of everything, including people, relationships, and even our own existence. This includes accepting that nothing lasts forever, that change is inevitable, and that some challenges are unavoidable.
