Ahilyabai Ghat

The ghat was rebuilt by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore 19th Century. It was earlier called Kevalgiri ghat. She had also built the Kashi Viswanath temple. The place attracts devotees in the wee hours when to take a dip in the Ganges. She is credited with the first Ghat in Varanasi being named after a person. She also built temples and free lodgings at sacred sites outside her kingdom, at prominent religious places like Dwarka in Gujarat east to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi was built under her patronage. The decision to rebuild the Ghat was taken by her once she saw the condition of the same which required attention. This ghat apparently is one of the first to emerge and has the usual by standers, people gazing at ganges...the yoga instructors ..disciples ..saints ..old people precariously perching on the staircase to take a holy dip in the water . Etc etc . During festivals, the ghats are decorated with candles. This is one of the more prominent Ghats in Varanasi which we saw during our boat ride on Ganges.
All the Ghats in Varanasi deserve a wander through and this one is especially wonderful. Take in the atmosphere and the feeling of this living history. This ghat lies about a 5-10 minute walk from the Dasashwamedh Ghat towards Harishchandra ghat. The best time to visit the Ghats is in the morning when devotees and Indian worshipers take a holy dip in the river to cleanse themselves of sins in hope of attaining moksha..or salvation.