The moment you reach Dashashwamedh Ghat, you feel something shift inside you. Varanasi stops being just a city and becomes a living prayer. As you step onto the old ghat steps, the air changes. Temple bells ring from every direction, soft chants float across the Ganga, and you sense a devotion and peace that words cannot fully capture. The significance of Dashashwamedh Ghat runs deeper than what the eyes can see.
The famous Ganga Aarti here is something you must witness. Flames rise into the evening sky, conch shells echo across the water, and thousands of lights dance on the river in a moment that feels truly divine. This blog covers the ghat’s history, aarti timings, things to do, and nearby places to visit . Many travellers combine their visit with an Ayodhya-Varanasi tour package to experience two of India's most sacred cities together. Start planning your spiritual journey to Varanasi and experience the soul of India at its most sacred ghat.
Dashashwamedh Ghat History
The Dashashwamedh Ghat history goes back many centuries, and legends say Lord Brahma performed ten Ashwamedh Yajnas (ten horse sacrifices) here to welcome Lord Shiva. Because of this sacred event, the ghat got its name "Dash-Ashwamedh," meaning ten horse sacrifices. Even today, people visit believing that prayers here bring blessings, peace and spiritual cleansing. The ghat stays busy all day with pilgrims taking holy dips, devotees praying, and boats sailing across the river. As the sun sets, the famous Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat makes everything even more beautiful and draws tourists and devotees from across the world. Whether you come to Varanasi for faith, photography, peace or culture, this ghat captures the city's true spirit.
Best Time to Visit Dashashwamedh Ghat
The best time to visit Dashashwamedh Ghat is during winter, from October to March, when Varanasi's weather stays pleasant for walking along ghats, boat rides, and temple visits. Experiencing the ghat at sunrise or during the evening Ganga Aarti makes your trip truly magical. At sunrise, soft light touches the water, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Every evening at this Ghat, hundreds of oil lamps, drums, and prayers create the famous evening aarti, a sight worth witnessing at least once.
Ganga Aarti Timings at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Summer (April - September) 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM
Winter (October - March) 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM
Summer months from April to June can be very hot, while the monsoon from July to September brings high water and slippery steps. Winter remains the most comfortable time to visit.
Pro Tip: Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before the Dashashwamedh Ghat aarti time for a good viewing spot. The area gets crowded quickly, especially during festivals and long weekends.
How to Reach Dashashwamedh Ghat
Dashashwamedh Ghat Varanasi is easily accessible from major cities in India. It sits in the heart of the old city, near the main market and Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Other nearby ghats like Kedar Ghat to Dashashwamedh Ghat are also within walking distance along the riverfront. Since cars cannot reach the ghat directly, you walk the last few hundred meters through narrow lanes filled with shops, temples, and tea stalls.
By Air
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 24–25 km away from Dashashwamedh Ghat and is the closest airport. You can pre-book a car or cab from the airport to get to Godowlia Chowk. From there, it's just a short walk through the busy, colourful streets of Varanasi to get to the ghat.
By Rail
A train station called Varanasi Junction (Cantt Station) is about 4–5 km away from Dashashwamedh Ghat. To get to the Godowlia area, you can take an auto-rickshaw, a cycle-rickshaw, or a taxi outside the station. In the old city, you can't drive from there to the ghat; you have to walk yourself.
By Road
Varanasi is connected by highways to cities like Prayagraj, Lucknow, Patna, and Gorakhpur. Take an auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw to Godowlia Chowk, the closest point vehicles can reach. From Godowlia, walk through the narrow lanes to reach Dashashwamedh Ghat. If you want to visit other ghats, the Dashashwamedh Ghat to Assi Ghat distance is about 5 km, which you can cover by auto or boat.
Places to Visit Near Dashashwamedh Ghat
Many holy temples, peaceful ghats in Varanasi, and old lanes can be found near Dashashwamedh Ghat Varanasi. These places hold the true spirit of Kashi. You can spend time at the ghat and then walk to many nearby places to learn more about the religion, culture, and beauty of Varanasi.
1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most important temples in India. It is built in honour of Lord Shiva and is only a short walk from Dashashwamedh Ghat. With its chants, bells, and incense smell, the mood is both strong and peaceful. A lot of people go to the temple right after the Ganga Aarti. The architecture of the temples is also very unique especially after the renovation of the old temple.
Distance from Dashashwamedh Ghat: Around 400 meters
2. Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat, also called the holy cremation ghat, stands for the deep spiritual belief in freedom and moksha. The eternal flame here has been burning for hundreds of years. Seeing it makes you think of the circle of life and the peace that lies beyond it. A lot of people come to this ghat to perform the last rites of their family and friends.
Distance from Dashashwamedh Ghat: Around 900 meters
3. Assi Ghat
This is nothing less than a heritage site in Varanasi because everyone who comes to Varanasi takes a visit to Assi Ghat for sure. Assi Ghat is a great place to go if you want to get away from the crowds at Dashashwamedh. Students, artists, and travellers come here to do yoga, watch the sunrise, and take calm boat rides. When prayers mix with the soft light on the river in the morning, it's especially magical.
Distance from Dashashwamedh Ghat: approximately 5 km
4. Sankat Mochan Temple
People who pray at Sankat Mochan Temple to Lord Hanuman think that it will help them get through hard times and give them strength and courage. It is quiet and holy inside the temple, and the sound of "Hanuman Chalisa" can be heard almost all day. Pilgrims who want to be blessed and calm often stop here.
Distance from Dashashwamedh Ghat: around 6 km
5. Scindia Ghat
In the north of Dashashwamedh, at Scindia Ghat, there is a Shiva temple that leans into the Ganga and is partly underwater. There is peace and quiet, and the water moves slowly. The pale stone steps make it a lovely spot to rest after a long walk.
Distance from Dashashwamedh Ghat: About 1.2 km
6. Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Campus & New Vishwanath Temple
A nice break from the busy ghats is BHU if you want to find meditation and peace in the trees. The New Vishwanath Temple on campus is tall, bright, and very peaceful. The paths around campus are lined with trees, which makes them a nice place to walk in the evening.
Distance from Dashashwamedh Ghat: 7 km
Things to Do at Dashashwamedh Ghat
A trip to Dashashwamedh Ghat is more than just a place to look at, it's an event that moves you. You feel very close to the spirit of Varanasi with every sound, prayer, and wave of the Ganga. Here are the most important things to do in Varanasi when you're at this sacred ghat:
1. Witness the Famous Ganga Aarti
Watching the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is the highlight of every visit. All along the ghat, the monks are shining bright lamps into the river, and chants fill the air. Even more magic can be found in watching the aarti from the steps or a boat.
2. Take a calm boat ride on the Ganga
When is the best time to take a boat ride from Dashashwamedh Ghat Varanasi? In the early morning or late at night. Temples, ghats, rites, and the golden sky can be seen from the river. It's a view you'll never forget.
3. Watch several rituals such as Pind Daan
A lot of pilgrims go to Dashashwamedh Ghat to honour their relatives in a traditional ceremony called Pind Daan. Watching the rituals with respect can help you learn more about religion and Indian spirituality. Several other rituals take place here.
4. Take part in morning prayers
Along the steps, you can see small ceremonies, flowers offered, and prayers in the early morning. When you hear the soft chants and the silence, you feel relaxed for the whole day. Many people come to take a dip in the Ganga, so you can do that as well to feel more peaceful and connect with divine energy.
5. Explore the Lanes and Local Food Nearby
There are tea shops, food stands, temples, and small markets in the narrow lanes just behind the ghat. It's fun to try kachori-sabzi or malaiyyo here after the aarti. Some other famous foods include lassi, chaats, and other veg foods that you can try here. It's a small thing that makes the visit full and satisfactory.
6. Taking pictures of the sunrise and Aarti
For people who love taking pictures, Dashashwamedh Ghat is a dream spot. Sunrise over the Ganga, boats with decorations, lamps lit during the aarti, and priests dressed in saffron make for great frames that are full of life and colour.
Conclusion
Your visit to Dashashwamedh Ghat stays with you in ways that go beyond photographs and memories. The evening aarti's light, the chants rising into the sky, the flowing Ganga, and the faith of countless devotees create an experience that touches both mind and heart. The ghat slows time down and connects you to something bigger than yourself, whether you sit quietly on the steps, take a boat ride at sunrise, or watch the rituals happening around you. If you want to truly feel what Varanasi is all about, visiting Dashashwamedh Ghat at least once is essential. This sacred place captures the spiritual soul of India in its purest form.
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