Ghats are those flights of steps that descend towards a river, lake or sacred basin. In India, they structure the ritual life of Hindu holy cities, particularly along the Ganges at Varanasi and Haridwar, but also on the shores of Lake Pichola in Udaipur. More than stairs, they are spaces where devotion, ablutions, cremations and daily life intersect.

Why visit the ghats

The ghats offer one of the most compelling vantage points for observing living Hindu spirituality. In Varanasi, considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, more than eighty ghats stretch across nearly seven kilometres along the Ganges. At dawn, you witness pilgrims immersed waist-deep in their ritual ablutions, priests officiating beneath bamboo parasols, and funeral pyres burning continuously.

The term ghat refers to a series of steps leading down to a body of water. The word, of Sanskrit origin and present in several Indian languages, also extends by convention to the mountain ranges that border the subcontinent: the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, which flank the Deccan Plateau.

History and ritual significance

Ghats are generally found in holy cities like Varanasi and Haridwar where the Ganges flows. Most of the current ghats in Varanasi were built or rebuilt in the 18th century under the impetus of Maratha rulers, notably Ahilyabai Holkar and the Peshwas, following destructions during the Mughal period. Each ghat often belonged to a princely kingdom or priestly caste, which explains the diversity of their architectures.

In Hindu cosmology, dying in Varanasi and being cremated on the Manikarnika Ghat would free the soul from the cycle of rebirth (moksha). Ablutions in the Ganges, believed to wash away accumulated sins, remain a central act of pilgrimage. At Haridwar, the Har Ki Pauri marks the place where the river leaves the Himalayas to enter the plains.

What to see on the ghats

The ghats of Varanasi

• Dashashwamedh Ghat: the most frequented, hosting the Ganga Aarti each evening, a ceremony of fire and songs honouring the river.
• Manikarnika Ghat: the main cremation ghat, active day and night. Photography is forbidden and the site should be visited with restraint.
• Assi Ghat: at the southern end, quieter, appreciated for morning yoga and the Subah-e-Banaras ritual.
• Harishchandra Ghat: the second cremation ghat, older.
• Panchganga Ghat: crowned by the Alamgir Mosque, marking the symbolic meeting of five rivers.

The ghats of Udaipur

The ghats of Udaipur, renowned for their beauty rather than pilgrimage traditions, border Lake Pichola below the City Palace. Four notable ghats draw visitors: Gangaur Ghat, lively during the namesake festival dedicated to the goddess Parvati, Ambrai Ghat, favoured at sunset for its panorama over Lake Palace, Laal Ghat and Nav Ghat. Unlike Varanasi, they are more urban promenades than religious rituals, though Gangaur retains an important festive dimension.

Other remarkable ghats

At Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri concentrates evening rituals. Pushkar, in Rajasthan, has around fifty ghats surrounding its sacred lake. Mathura and Vrindavan, linked to the cult of Krishna, align their own series of steps along the Yamuna.

When to go

The most pleasant season to visit Varanasi and the Ganges basin runs from October to March: manageable temperatures, peaceful river, clear skies. The monsoon (July-September) swells the Ganges, which can submerge the lower steps and interrupt ceremonies on the ghats.

Several religious highlights are worth planning for:

• Dev Deepawali (November, fifteen days after Diwali): the ghats of Varanasi are illuminated by thousands of oil lamps.
• Kumbh Mela: the largest Hindu pilgrimage, rotating every three years between Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Nashik and Ujjain.
• Gangaur (March-April) in Udaipur: female processions to Gangaur Ghat.
• Kartik Purnima (November): massive ritual baths on all Ganges ghats.

Practical information

• Access: the ghats are public spaces open permanently, with no entrance fee.
• Boat rides: in Varanasi, a sunrise boat or evening aarti ride remains the most compelling experience. Plan for about an hour, to be negotiated directly with boatmen or via your accommodation.
• Clothing: shoulders and knees covered, out of respect but also to avoid attention.
• Photography: strictly forbidden on cremation ghats (Manikarnika, Harishchandra). Ask before photographing people in prayer.
• Health and sanitation: do not bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, the water is highly polluted. Wear closed shoes, as steps can be slippery or soiled.
• Evening aarti at Dashashwamedh: arrive an hour early for a seat, or book a boat to observe from the river.

Nearby

From Varanasi, several sites complement your visit: Bara Imambara in Lucknow, a remarkable 18th-century Shia monument, and Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh, famous for its marble cliffs and waterfalls on the Narmada. Lovers of medieval architecture will appreciate Chanderi, an ancient weavers' town, as well as Deeg Fort and the archaeological site of Bahoriband.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

The ghats are best experienced as part of an itinerary combining spirituality, architecture and major rivers. To build a tailor-made stay, consult our travel suggestions for India.