Manikarnika Ghat

Overview

Manikarnika Ghat is the primary cremation site in Varanasi and one of the holiest riverfronts in Hinduism. Located on the banks of the Ganges, it is famously known as the "Burning Ghat" because funeral pyres burn here 24/7. According to Hindu mythology, it is the spot where Goddess Sati’s earring fell, and it is believed that being cremated here grants moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). Visitors can witness the intense, somber atmosphere of traditional Hindu funerary rites and ancient stone architecture. While deeply spiritual, the ghat is also a place of high sensory impact due to the smoke and constant activity.