Assi Ghat Travel Map

Assi Ghat is the southernmost Ghat in Varanasi, situated at the assemblage of Ganges and Assi rivers. The ghat is a sacred place as pilgrims offer prayers to a huge shivalingam placed under a peepal tree after bathing in the river.Constituting the southern end of conventional city, Assi Ghat has numerous references in the early literature of the Hindus. Assi Ghat is mentioned in Agni purana, Matsya Purana, Padma Purana, Kurma Purana and Kashi Khanda. Legend also states that the famous Indian poet saint, Tulsi Das had written the popular epic the Ramcharitmanas on the banks of Assi Ghat.Another famous linga worshipped at this ghat is Asisangameshwar linga, which represents the 'lord of confluence of the Asi'. The idol of the lord is enshrined in a small marble temple situated near the Assi Ghat.It is believed that Goddess Durga, after killing the asuras, Shumbha-Nishumbha, had thrown her sword at a place, which resulted in the origin of a huge stream, known as Assi River.Assi Ghat is called as Assi Saimbeda Tirtha in Kashi Khand and is one of the five special ghats visited by pilgrims during the ritual route called Panchtirthi Yatra. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit this place during the months of Chaitya (March and April) and Magh (January and February). During solar or lunar eclipse, Probodhoni Ekadashi, Ganga Dussehra and Makar Shankranti, the place is visited by a large number of devotees and travellers.