Dashashwamedh

Dashashwamedh Ghat is a prominent riverfront ghat along the Ganges in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the oldest and most famous ghats in the city and serves as a major center of religious activity and tourism. The name dashashwamedh derives from the Sanskrit words for “ten horse sacrifices,” a legend associated with the site that links the place to ancient ritual sacrifices performed to honor the gods or the river.

The ghat is best known for the daily Ganga Aarti, a devotional ceremony in which priests offer lamps, incense, and chants to the river as evening crowds watch from the steps and along the banks. The Aarti at Dashashwamedh is one of the most well-known in Varanasi and draws large gatherings of pilgrims and visitors. The site is closely connected with the city’s spiritual life and is located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex, with other ghats such as Manikarnika and Harishchandra nearby along the riverfront.

Beyond religious rites, Dashashwamedh Ghat functions as a key access point for boat rides on the Ganges and as a focal point for commerce and daily life in the old city, featuring temples, shops, and eateries that line the waterfront. The ghat remains active during festivals and special occasions, reflecting Varanasi’s enduring role as a center of Hindu worship and river culture.

Access is through the narrow lanes of the old city, with peak activity in the evenings during the Aarti and at dawn when boats operate on the river.