Varanasi Temples

Towards the southern part of the Holy city is the Assi Ganga confluence.  Assi has been mentioned as a river once upon a time but now it is virtually a streamlet.

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 30, Kashi is a Mukti Kshetra.  Long back Yama, Indra and Agni saw the devotees in Kashi engaged in religious activities and they drew boundaries for Kashi.  All the above Lords, with a view to destroy Asatya (falsehood) and negative thoughts in the Holy City, created Assi River.

According to Kashi Khand, Chapter 46, a devotee who takes bath in Assi Ganga Sangam and performs rituals for his forefathers does a great service to them.  By bathing in Assi Ganga Sangam, the devotee gets the benefit of taking bath in all sacred teerths.

Kashi Khand has references of Assi Ganga Sangam in various chapters. In various references to Lolark, it is stated to be near the Assi Ganga Sangam, whereas in the present days, Lolark is a bit away.  This leads one to believe that the religious/spiritual influence  of Assi Ganga Sangam (Confluence of two rivers Assi and Ganga) must have been very wide.

The place where two rivers conjoin is usually considered to be very auspicious.  In fact the name Varanasi was coined as that Kshetra which is in between two great rivers Varuna and Assi.

Assi Ghat

At present Assi Ghat is a very wide area and offers a very beautiful appearance.  Many devotees visit this place and it is virtually the only place where four wheelers can take them as near as to Ganga as possible and a parking lot is also there.

Please watch our YouTube Video about Assi Teerth in the below Link :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjYa_ntAvtQ&t=15s

As per religious importance Assi Ganga Sangam area covers a vast stretch even surpassing the present day Tulsi Ghat.  The South Indian pilgrims who undertake Pancha Ghatta Pindam (Assi, Dasaswamedh, Manikarnika, Panch Ganga and Varuna), generally bathe near Tulsi Ghat which, as mentioned above, comes under the religious sanction at Assi Ganga Sangam. They may take a cue and bathe near Assi Ghat.

Ganga Aarti is being conducted in Assi Ghat also, which is a visual treat.