The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Brahma Ghat
Detailed description of each heritage Site - Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat
Location
[edit | edit source]25º 19.029’ North and 83º 01.126’ East (Durga Ghat, centre). 25º 19.067’ North and 83º 01.145’ East (Brahma Ghat, centre).
Exact location on a map
[edit | edit source]Durga and Brahma Ghats
Area
[edit | edit source]0.225 ha
Historical/cultural/natural significance
[edit | edit source]The 13th-century image of Brahma in the climbing steps and temple of Brahmeshvara (no. K 22/ 82) was honoured by the name of this ghat, Brahma Ghat. According to a tale, when Brahma first came to this city, he had settled at this ghat. With Durga Ghat, this ghat was made pucca by Narayana Dikshita in 1742. There are two lanes of climbing steps, and both are made on the archetypal frame. In the lane leading to Brahmeshvara Shiva temple, each after five steps, there is a platform; the number five symbolises the five gross elements of organic reality controlled by Shiva (i.e. earth, water, fire, sky and air). In the lane leading to Brahma, each after four, there is a platform; the number four symbolises the four mouths of Brahma, i.e. four directions. There are two water-front sacred spots near the bank, viz. Bhairava and Vindu Madhav Tirthas. One of the notable buildings is Shri Kashi Math Samsthan: Sudhindra Tirtha Svami, belonging to the Gauda Sarasvata Brahmin community of south India. On the terraces of this monastery are the temples of Vindu Madhava (II) and Lakshmi Narasimha. It is believed that Shankara stayed here in the 8th century when he came to Kashi.
Present state of conservation
[edit | edit source]Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives.
Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property
[edit | edit source]It is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.
Ownership
[edit | edit source]The temple-related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trust, the houses and other properties by the inhabitants, and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.