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Mystery of Manikarnika Ghat: Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is one of the oldest and holiest cities of India. A major landmark of this city is Manikarnika Ghat. Manikarnika Ghat is a major crematorium located on the banks of the river Ganges, where followers of Hinduism cremate their loved ones. But the specialty of this ghat is not only in being a crematorium, but also in the amazing mysteries and stories hidden behind it which make it a mysterious place.
Mystery of Manikarnika Ghat
Importance and belief of Manikarnika Gha
According to Hindu religious belief, a person who dies at Manikarnika Ghat attains salvation. It is said that after the last rites at Mystery of Manikarnika Ghat, the dead soul gets freedom from the cycle of rebirth. It is considered to be the last and supreme path to attain salvation. There is also a legend behind the name of this ghat being “Manikarnika” which makes it even more sacred and mysterious.
Mythological stories associated with Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat is associated with Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. According to a famous legend, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati were bathing on the banks of the river Ganges, when Mother Parvati’s earring (Manikarnika) fell into the Ganges. To find it, Lord Shiva built the ghat, and that is why it is called Manikarnika Ghat. It is said that since his earring fell into the river Ganges, this place became a holy place and it was associated with death and salvation.
According to another legend, Lord Vishnu had performed penance here and during his penance he established a Shivalinga. This place was recognized that by performing last rites here, the soul gets liberation and attains salvation.
Camp of Aghori Sadhus
Mystery of Manikarnika Ghat, is also known for Aghori Sadhus. Aghori Sadhus are associated with a very mysterious and esoteric sect of Hinduism. These sadhus perform penance at this ghat and consider death as an inevitable part of life. Aghori sadhus live here in search of the mysteries of salvation and death and perform penance among the dead bodies. They try to attain enlightenment by assimilating this aspect of death. This sight may be frightening for the people visiting the ghat, but for the Aghoris it is the path of penance.
Eternal blazing fire pit
Another feature of Manikarnika Ghat is the eternal blazing fire pit here. It is believed that this fire pit has been burning continuously for hundreds of years and never extinguishes. Hundreds of bodies are cremated here every day, but the fire of this fire pit never ends. The belief behind this eternal fire is that it was lit by Lord Shiva himself so that every person coming here can attain salvation.
Mystery of Manikarnika Kund
A holy pond is also located at Manikarnika Ghat which is called Manikarnika Kund. It is said that the water of this pond never dries up. According to mythology, this pond was created by Lord Vishnu himself on the orders of Lord Shiva and filled it with his tears. Therefore it is considered very holy and bathing here destroys all sins.
Experience of death and salvation
Hundreds of bodies are cremated at Manikarnika Ghat every day, making this place an experience of the cycle of death and life. People who come here accept death as an inevitable truth. It is believed that by dying at Manikarnika Ghat, the soul attains salvation, and hence people come from far and wide for cremation here. There is a different kind of peace and fear in the air here which makes the visitors experience the intensity of life and death.
24-hour cremation at the ghat
Another feature of Manikarnika Ghat is that the cremation process continues here 24 hours a day. There is no time of day or night at this ghat; the cremation process is always going on here. Due to this unique tradition, Manikarnika Ghat can never be seen quiet. The atmosphere here reflects the relationship between life and death and makes the visitors of this ghat feel the impermanence of life.
Mystery of Manikarnika Ghat is not just a cremation ground, but it holds a mysterious mystery of life and death. People who come here go through this unique experience of death and salvation and get lost in the sanctity and mystery of this place. The mythological stories here, the eternal fire pit, Manikarnika Kund, the presence of Aghori sadhus, and the unique tradition of cremation make it a mysterious and spiritual place.
