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Manikarnika Ghat

Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi: Address, Manikarnika Ghat Reviews: 4.5/5

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Manikarnika Ghat

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Manikarnika Ghat
4.5
1,160
#8 of 113 things to do in Varanasi
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4.5
1,160 reviews
Excellent
651
Very good
329
Average
131
Poor
26
Terrible
23
DrKanishkMarkam
Lucknow, India21 contributions
Where life meets the dead
Mar 2021 • Friends
To get a sense of your mortality, visit this place & all your life's problem will seem meaningless in the face of the eminent end everyone have to face. Live, laugh, love.
Written 30 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cp_0010
Manama, Bahrain1,402 contributions
Holiest cremation ground
Feb 2020
Visited this ghat and had a good view during the boat ride in the Ganges early morning. Manikarnika Ghat is believed as one of the holiest cremation places by Hindus, it is situated on the banks of sacred river Ganga in the city of Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.
In Hinduism, death is considered as a gateway to another life journey depending on the results of one's karma. It is believed that a person who is creamated here gets liberation from the cycles of life & death and attains moksha. Therefore the elderly people from various parts of India come to Varanasi to spend their last days hoping to get Moksha. It is open 24 hours and creation goes on one after another.
Written 28 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CA Manoranja
2 contributions
rituals
Nov 2020
i had there to complete some family rituals and this place is witnessing mukti of deceased person. Now ghats and river ganga is cleaner then before.
Written 11 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Poornima Shenoy
Patna, India44 contributions
Beautiful even if it is a cremation area
Nov 2020
It does bring home to you that life is short , live it well and gather wealth which is more in terms of experiences and relationship than only about money
Written 10 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pranab Pal @paltravelogue
Navi Mumbai, India480 contributions
The Ghat where the fire has been burning since several centuries !
Mar 2020 • Couples
We went to Varanasi / Banaras for a week long trip during early March 2020 just before Coronavirus Pandemic erupt in India . 

This was truly a memorable trip for us of 2020 !

After seeing the mesmerizing programme of “Subah – e – Banaras” followed by morning sunrise at Assi Ghat , we went for a morning boat ride ……..

After Chet Singh Ghat , we reached near Manikarnika Ghat ……..
Manikarnika Ghat was one of the Ghat which is completely different than the others ………. First of all, one of the oldest and most sacred Ghats in Varanasi.

It is the main cremation Ghat in the area, with the bodies of devout Hindus being burned here before their ashes are carried away by the holy waters of the Ganges......

There is a belief among Hindus that person whose last rites are performed here, attains ‘Moksha’…… means the soul attains "mukti" (end of journey) if the mortal remains of people are burnt in this Ghat. Due to this strong belief bodies are cremated here almost 24X7.

There are different lores associated with this place …….. It is believed that Mata Sati's ear ornaments fell on this place by the side of the Ganges and hence the name Manikarnika Ghat came into existence.
This Ghat is mentioned in history during Gupta rulers in 5th century. It was rebuilt in 1730 by Bajirao Peshwa.

I realize there are two opinions about this place …….. that it is a tourist destination and also that it is not a tourist destination.
I think its all depends on what you are actually watching there ……. if it is the funeral pyre that you see, you may feel uncomfortable.
But if it is the CENTURIES OLD CUSTOM AND RITUALS of the Hindu community of lighting the pyre of their loved ones on the banks of Sacred River Ganges, you will feel the vibration in the air of something beyond description.

It was my first visit to this religious place…….. and I did feel a calmness in my mind, which I have no words to describe - a Sense of Awe.... 🤗🤗

I strongly recommend this place in your Varanasi itinerary 👍👍 .

Your experiences of this historic Ghat will be shaped by your life experiences and I am sure it will remain in your heart much after you leave the city .
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
R1chardN
Surbiton, UK523 contributions
World famous site - please be respectful
Feb 2020
This is the world famous crematory ghat which we saw as we travelled by boat to our hotel and as part of a city tour. It is a tourist location that demands respect - it is not the sort of place where it is acceptable to photograph the ceremony or mourners etc.
As we travelled around the area we saw the location where wood is sold and also the bamboo stretchers used in the cremation. Our guide pointed out those in mourning as well as some of the rituals.
This ceremony is important for Hindus and to be cremated by the Ganges is an honour. It is an education to witness but not a place where you would want to spend more than 5 or 10 minutes.
Written 14 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mahadev André G
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil80 contributions
Crematory place, not a touristic place
Feb 2020
Manikarnika Ghat is a very important ghat, worldwide known. But it's a crematory ghat, not a touristic place, in my opinion. Once you get there, you will be asked to pay for wood for cremation of someone else.
Written 12 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
smandal2858
Nagpur, India626 contributions
Burning Ghat
Dec 2019
Manikarnika Ghat is situated to the north of the Dasaswamedh Ghat. Here is also cremations done other than Harischandra Ghat.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MamaT23
Canada1,663 contributions
HEAVY
Mar 2020 • Solo
An extremely uncomfortable feeling being in the presence of devastated mourning family members crying hysterically while watching their loved ones actual body burning. It's insane watching the vendors sell wood for the cremation.
Heartbreaking but yet such an educational eye opening experience confirming how much more civilized North American lifestyle's really are.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
miq
Stupava, Slovakia96 contributions
the burning ghat
Feb 2020
very unusual experience to see the cremations, the activities and the ceremony around it. Better to get a guide to know more.
Beware, no photo is allowed to take (by tourists).
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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