UPSSSC Test 21

Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is synonymous with the ghats that line the banks of the Ganga and serve as the spiritual and social heart of this ancient city. The ghats of Varanasi are a series of stepped embankments descending to the river, and there are approximately eighty-four ghats stretching along the crescent-shaped western bank of the Ganga. Each ghat has its own history, mythology, and cultural significance. The Dashashwamedh Ghat is perhaps the most famous and vibrant, serving as the venue for the spectacular Ganga Aarti ceremony that is performed every evening and attended by thousands of devotees and tourists. The Manikarnika Ghat is the primary cremation ghat of Varanasi and holds profound significance in Hindu belief as a place where cremation ensures liberation for the deceased. Scindia Ghat, Assi Ghat, Kedar Ghat, and Tulsi Ghat are among the other notable ghats, each associated with specific religious or historical traditions. The ghats serve multiple social functions beyond their religious significance. They are spaces where pilgrims bathe, priests perform rituals, laundrymen wash clothes, wrestlers practice in akharas, and locals engage in morning walks and informal social gatherings. The government has invested significantly in the development and beautification of Varanasi's ghats as part of efforts to position the city as a premier tourism and pilgrimage destination. Boat rides along the ghats, especially at dawn and during the evening aarti, are one of the most popular tourist experiences in India. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project, completed in 2021, has transformed the area around the famous Vishwanath temple, creating a grand pilgrimage complex with improved facilities and direct visual access to the temple from the Ganga. Tourism infrastructure including hotels, restaurants, and transport facilities has been significantly upgraded in recent years.