Dasaswamedh Ghat is a popular pilgrimage centre in Varanasi. It is considered as one of the five great teerths of Varanasi. Its special sanctity was due to the fact that according to Hindu mythology Lord Brahma performed ten ashwamedha or horse-sacrifices at the spot. In the present age the Dasaswamedh ghat is among the most bustling places of the city.
Legend of Dasaswamedh Ghat
According to the legend of Dasaswamedh Ghat, one day the gods wanted to dislodge king Divodas who had acquired temporal and spiritual ascendancy over the city. Lord Brahma had come with the purpose of straining his hospitality and demanded materials and resources enough for performing ten horse-sacrifices. They were all furnished in the most scrupulously correct and comprehensive manner. Brahma performed the ten sacrifices and went back somewhat crest-fallen that he could not catch the king tripping even in any little detail of his religious duties. Lord Shiva is said to have accomplished the task in a more relentless spirit and the gods held their triumphant sway once more over the sacred city.
Celebrations of Dasaswamedh Ghat
There are many temples located on Dasaswamedh Ghat. During many festivals the ghat is decorated with lights and looks spectacular. At the time of Durga Puja, or on the occasion of Kartik Purnima or Diwali, the flights of steps are covered over with seething humanity and present remarkably attractive sights. Thousands of pilgrims congregate there when eclipses occur that they may have a bath of purification in the sacred waters of the Ganges. It is also the centre of great gaiety once a year on the occasion of the water carnival known as the Budha Mangal, when decorated and illuminated boats cluster near its steps and people revel on them with music and dance.
Sometimes little lamps are seen floating on the river on some occasions, put forth as offerings to Mother Ganges and at times there is a whole fleet of them going down the current, adding considerably to the beauty of the Ghat. Dasaswamedh Ghat has a pouring crowd of pilgrims throughout the year. Several people flock the Ghat in order to redeem their souls from all sins.
