Situated at the banks of River Ganga it is a auspicious place for Hindus. Hindus Bodies are respectfully burnt and they believe that after dying in Varanasi City and being burnt at Manikarnika Ghat they will get Moksha. (A state where a soul get rests from reincarnation) It is a Cemetery like thing for Hindus and not very bright or... More

Go for a cup of chai and get a glimpse of Varanasi life. Prepare to see burning corpse, and avoid anyone trying to talk to you. They're only after some tourist rupees. More

Nirvana is the soteriological goal of several Indian religions including Jainism, Buddhism , Sikhism and Hinduism. It is synonymous with the concept of liberation (moksha) which refers to release from a state of suffering after an often lengthy period of committed spiritual practice. More

You do not have to be religious to take in that this is the most holy place on earth for millions of people who believe that by dying in this city and then being cremated here that they will go to heaven and prevent further incarnations. As you watch the multiple funeral pyres, rituals by family members, the enormous piles... More

Manikarnika Ghat is the main cremation Ghat of Varanasi. Manikarnika Ghat is one of the oldest and most sacred Ghats in Benaras. According to the Hindu mythology, being burned here provides an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and rebirths. Lying at the center of the five tirthas, Manikarnika Ghat symbolizes both creation and destruction. At Manikarnika... More

The moment we reach Varanasi the first thing we did is visited the ghats and did pancha tirta yatra by motor boat! Loved all the ghats eventhough it was dangerous to take a dip in one of the ghats because of the deepness. Manikarna was amazing because u can see every an hour body being burned right before the ghat... More

Be aware of superficially nice people who introduce themselfs as workers on Manikarnika ghat and want , of course for free, explain you about cremation ceremony. Initially for free turns into donations for wood. I don't know how much money they expect, but 200 IRT was not enough and they were very agressive. I read that donations in dollars are... More

somehow, i remember the place more for the touts than the actual burning of corpse. it's a pity. my view on it- go, but just have a short stay there. it is a good experience to have, but still, it is a religious ceremony afterall, and that with tourist around we are only helping to speed up the eroding of... More

If you are into that kind of thing. But this IS Varanasi after all. Basically the biggest cremation Ghat in town and very popular, you won't have to wait very long to see cremations occurring with plenty of good vantage points. On the downside, expect "guides" working in nearby Hospices (a lie) giving you a bit of hassle and telling... More