The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Dandi Ghat
Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat
Location
[edit | edit source]25º 17.652’ North and 83º 00.410’ East (south point of the Gularia Ghat).
Exact location on a map
[edit | edit source]Shivala–Gularia and Dandi Ghats
Area
[edit | edit source]0.58 ha
Historical/cultural/natural significance
[edit | edit source]A rich merchant of Banaras, Lalluji Agrawal, built it in 1821 with a joint effort of Babu Sagaramal. The government of Uttar Pradesh further renovated and restructured it in 1958. In the upper part of the ghat, there is a temple and a wrestling place. A branch of the Sharadapith of Dvaraka is where the Dandi ascetics live, carrying sticks in their hands and using ochre-coloured cloth. After this centre of Dandi ascetics, the ghat is called Dandi Ghar.
Present state of conservation
[edit | edit source]Except for the temple and monastery trusts, which are directly taking care of their ashramas, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their perspectives without specific plans.
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 benefit of the society.
Ownership
[edit | edit source]The respective temples, trusts, and residents own the specific properties along the ghat, while the municipal corporation owns the ghat area.