The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Durga 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]On the northern side of the upper part, there is a temple of Brahmacarini Durga (no. K 22/ 17), from where the name of the ghat derived, i.e. Durga Ghat. The 17th-century text Giravana-padamanjari has described this ghat. In 1742, Narayana Dikshita, a guru of Peshvas, purchased land from resident fishermen and built two ghats: Durga and the succeeding one, Brahma Ghats. This was rebuilt and repaired in 1830 by Nana Phadanavisa, a finance secretary (Divan) of Gwalior Estate, whose building at the top of the ghat is known as Phadanivisa Wada. At the ghat exist the two water-front sacred spots, i.e. Markandeya and Kharva Narasimha Tirthas, and at the top is the shrine of Kharva Narasimha. In 1958, the government of Uttar Pradesh repaired and rebuilt the ghat. The steps from the ghat leading to the upper part are built in an archetypal frame, i.e. after nine steps there lies a platform, the steps symbolise the nine forms of Durga. This ghat is an active place for religious festivities and also for the annual competition of fighting, wrestling and mettle in the month of Karttika (October/November).
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.