The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Raja Gwalior Ghat
Detailed description of each heritage Site - Scindhia Ghat to Pancaganga Ghat
Rama–Jatar and Raja Gwalior Ghats
Location
[edit | edit source]25º 18.924’ North and 83º 01.047’ East (Gwalior Ghat, centre).
Exact location on a map
[edit | edit source]Rama–Jatar and Raja Gwalior Ghats
Area
[edit | edit source]0.22 ha
Historical/cultural/natural significance
[edit | edit source]Till mid 19th century Gwalior ghat was part of Jatar Ghat. When Jatar Ghat was under construction the king of Gwalior Maharaja Jiyajirao Shinde has built this ghat; and after his name this is known as Gwalior Ghat. According to another tale one of the Peshava kings had also repaired and partly made the ghat pucca. There are three shrines containing Shiva lingas. The ghat is not important for cultural and religious activities.
Present state of conservation
[edit | edit source]Except by the temple organisations and the Estate Trust taking care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes and strategies for conservation and preservation of the ghats. The temple trusts maintain their properties according to their own perspectives. [[|thumb|K 24/28 Ram Ghat That this building is illegal not only because it is built on the Ganga riverfront ghats in Varanasi after the year 2000 but primarily because it is built within 100 metres of an ASI protected monument (Dharhara Mosque), thereby violating the National Monument Act of 1958. Repeated FIRs filed by ASI (12.6.2000; 8.9.2001; 8.9.2003; 1.3.2004; 22.12.2004) against the owners of this illegal construction.
Despite VDA issuing demolition orders for this illegal construction on 8 November 2005 and 28 June 2006, the illegal construction continues to exist since 7 years.]]
Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property
[edit | edit source]It is expected that by the support of 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 and estate properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trusts; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation.