Manikarnika Ghat and its interesting tales

One of the most primitive and significant ghats along the river Ganges is the Manikarnika Ghat of Varanasi or Kashi. It is known by different names like The Burning Ghat, Mahashamshan Ghat or the ‘Great Cremation Ground’ and ‘The Gateway to Heaven’.

Where Death Ends

Considered to be one of the holiest places in the world to die, The Manikarnika Ghat of Varanasi is located between the Scindia Ghat and the Scandia Ghat. It is the most popular cremation ground in Varanasi and witnesses the burning pyres of around 200 to 300 bodies every day. In fact, it is said that it is constantly burning with the fires of pyres. Popular Bollywood movies like ‘Banaras: A Mystic Love Story’ and ‘Kaashi: In search of Ganga’, which showed the spirituality and dharmic beauty of Varanasi were also shot at this famous Ghat.

According to Garuda Purana of Hinduism; the last rites of an individual should never be done after evening. Manikarnika is the only Ghat in India where the dead are cremated even during the night.

The significance of the Manikarnika Ghat lies in the importance given to death and cremation in Hinduism. For Hindus, death is the entry gate for another life i.e., ‘punarjanma’ or rebirth, and only salvation or ‘Moksha’ can liberate the soul from this endless painful cycle.

There are several myths related to the origin of the Ghat which make it so special for the Hindus. Some people believe that God Shiva had performed the last rituals of his wife Devi Sati on this Ghat.

According to Hindu Mythology, the ‘sacred water pool ‘at this Ghat called the Cakra-Pushkarini Kund or the Manikarnika Kund was made by Lord Vishnu. He then invited Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to bathe in it, when a ‘Mani’ from Lord Shiva’s earring fell in the Kund here. This is why it is named ‘Manikarnika’.

According to another narrative, the name ‘Manikarnika’ is said to be derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Manikarna’ which means ‘earrings’. It is named so because of the belief that Devi Sati’s earrings had fallen here.

This happened when Shiva was doing ‘Tandava’ or the angry dance with Devi Sati in his arms after she sacrificed herself to the holy fire. As a result of this, Sati’s body was divided into 52 parts, which each fell at a different place. These places are hence called ‘Shaktipeethas’ and are central to the Shaktism sect of Hinduism. This gives Manikarnika its significance as a Shaktipeeth. The Shaktis on this side of the river are called ‘Vishalakshmi’ and ‘Manikarni’.

One famous lore suggests that Lord Vishnu had meditated on this ghat for many years to impress Lord Shiva. He did it to save the holy town of Kashi from the wrath of Shiva who was destroying the entire world. It is said that as a result of this, Lord Shiva along with his wife Maa Parvati gave Varanasi and the Manikarnika, the blessings of eternal peace. Another legend goes like, Maa Parvati had angrily cursed the Ghat to be burning with death pyres 24/7. This is because she could not find her bangle which had fallen in the river when she was bathing there with Lord Shiva.

It is so fascinating that people from all over the world visit this Ghat to witness this last journey of a human. They celebrate death over life and the freedom it gives to the soul. What is even more astonishing is that some elderly Hindus come here to ‘die’ and spend the last days of their lives alongside the Manikarnika Ghat. This comes from the belief that death at this Ghat is ‘painless’ and ‘peaceful’. On the Manikarnika Ghat, there is also a temple of Tarakeshwar Mahadev. It is a popular belief that Lord Shiva himself speaks a ‘Tarak Mantra’ in the ears of the dead person. This Mantra they say provides the soul with eternal peace and salvation as it becomes one with Shiva.

This Ghat is filled with the constant smoke of the dead pyres and the chants of “Ram Naam Satya Hai’’. It makes one realize how the body and life are just an illusion. It is a great reminder of the ultimate truth about Death, its inevitability, the soul, and the temporary nature of human life. It liberates you as you realize that there is freedom and calm, only in death. Do visit this holy place ‘ Where Death Ends’, whenever you go to ‘Kashi Vishwanath ki Nagri’. It is one of those very few places on Earth where Death is celebrated, that too every hour. A boat ride along this Ghat will also show you a true picture of Varanasi’s beauty.