What to know before visiting Assi Ghat?

Some important facts you should know before visiting Assi Ghat.

·        Assi Ghat is the most important pilgrimage destination of the city Varanasi. It is located in the southernmost part of the city and is among the oldest Ghats in Varanasi. This river got its name because of the confluence of the Ganga and Assi River. 

·        It is a mythical saying that Goddess Durga killed the demon Shumba-Nisumbha and after that, her sword fell down and led to the emergence of a river and the Assi Ghat got its name, because of this. It is among the 5 pilgrims located in Varanasi and is known as the most authentic Ghats.

·       It is a saying that if a person has a bath in the Ghat, he will become free of all the sins and curses. A huge Shivling is located under a Peepal tree, where people pay their homage after having a bath. 

·        Tulsidas lived in a cave on Assi Ghat only, and created Shri Ramcharitmanas and rested in peace over there. 

·        This Ghat is a combination of societal, cultural, and religious importance. It is a symbolic point of interest for both Indians and foreigners.

·         People start crowding the place from dawn to dusk on a daily basis just because of the religious significance, so is prepared for the crowd, if you really want to visit the Ghat.

·        You can take a boat ride if you want to see the mesmerizing sunset in the evening.

·        The place is overcrowded at the times of ekadashi, purnima, and amavasya but in case you really want to take a dip in the river, be prepared for dealing with the crowd.

·       Mahashivratri is the best time to visit Assi Ghat; you can take a holy dip into the river and after paying homage to the huge shivling nearby.

The Assi Ghat is mentioned in many Hindu Holy Scriptures namely Karma Purana, Matsya Purana, Padma Purana and Agni Purana. People visit Assi Ghat for various reasons, to soak up the spiritual atmosphere, enjoy the famous night aarti and get a glimpse of the local culture. After twilight, the Ganga Aarti is breathtaking, with the echo of chants and spiritual giants performed by skilled saints (Pandas in Hindi). Birth, Mundan Sanskar, Upanayan, Marriage, Ganga Pujayya, and other rituals are performed. As a testimony, Manglik's works and other festival celebrations are done at this ghat.

Ways to reach Assi Ghat Varanasi
The total distance between Assi Ghat and Varanasi Railway Station is around 8 kilometers. If you drive with your own conveyance, it takes around 9 minutes. In case you are going to take a public conveyance or a cab, it’s totally dependable on you. By public conveyance or cab, it will take around 15-20 minutes.

The nearest Airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Babatpur which is almost 28 km from the Ghat, and it takes about an hour to reach Assi Ghat from the airport.

Conclusion
if you really want to visit the Ghats of Varanasi and look for local culture, then distance does not matter. Everything that matters is your devotion and your willingness to get spiritual peace, as each and every Ghat and temple has a separate significance. Varanasi is a confluence of various ghats and temples and if you are visiting, visiting Assi Ghat is a must. You can enjoy mesmerizing sunsets, sitting on a boat in the middle of the river.