Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi

Manikarnika Ghat is one of the holiest river fronts (ghats), alongside the river Ganga, in the city of Varanasi, India.

This is not the burning ghat of Varanasi, as is largely believed, as cremation rites are not done on this ghat. It is the adjacent Jalasen ghat that is actually the burning ghat where at least a corpse is under cremation any time of the day. The Hindu genealogy registers at Varanasi are kept here.

It is one of the oldest ghats in Varanasi. The Manikarnika Ghat is mentioned in a Gupta inscription of 5th century.

It is revered in Hindu religion. When Mata Sati (Aadi shakti mata) sacrificed her life and set her body ablaze after Raja Daksh Prajapati (one of the sons of Lord Brahma) tried to humiliate Lord Shiva in a Yagya practiced by Daksh. Lord Shiva took her burning body to the Himalaya. On seeing the unending sorrow of Lord Shiva, Vishnu sends the Divine chakra to cut the body into 51 parts which fall on earth. They are called "Ekannya Shaktipeeth". Lord Shiva established Shakti Peeth wherever Sati's body had fallen. At Manikarnika ghat, Mata Sati's Ear's ornament had fallen.

Approaching Manikarnika Ghat by boat.
The Manikarnika Ghat is flanked by the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Scindia Ghat.

Shri Tarkeswar Mahadev Temple - Kashi Khand.
This temple is situated at Manikarnika Ghat.

The beautifully adorned deity of Lord Shiva instills a sense of awe and reverence.

Piles of wood greet you at this ghat.
The traditional Hindu burning methods here is to make a squarish pile of wood, logs stacked in a Jenga pattern.

The routine ceremony starts when the dead body (wrapped in cloth) arrives and is carried on a bamboo stretcher with the chant 'The name of Rama is the truth' (Ram naam satya hai) echoing through the air.
The dead body which is brought in by families and dears ones is first dipped into the Ganga then put onto the fire for burning it to dust and ashes.