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Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the oldest and most important ghats in Varanasi. In the early 16th century when the Marathas were ruling over the region, th3ey built several ghat sin Varanasi that lined the holy river Ganga. There are a total of 87 ghats in Varanasi. While some of them like the Tulsi Ghat, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Ravidas Ghat, Lalita Ghat and the Munshi ghat are the famous ones and are the most visited ghats in the city, there are close to 50 ghats in Varanasi that are primarily visited by locals for everyday religious rituals.
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There are various legends associated to how the ghat got its name and came into being. Some believe that the Dashashwamedh Ghat was built by Brahma when he was welcoming Shiva to earth. Another legend has it that Brahma performed the Ashwamedha with ten horses. He sacrificed 10 horses at this ghat, hence giving it the name.
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Locals also believe that around the year 1740, Bajirao Peshwa I built the Dashashwamedh Ghat. However, a few decades later, Ahilyabahi Holkar, the Queen of Indore rebuilt the ghat in the year 1774. The best time of the day to visit the Dashashwamedh Ghat is during the Ganga Aarti when the whole ghat comes to life when several priests perform the aarti in the most grand manner!
Photograph courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
BEST TIME TO VISIT VARANASI
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