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Historical Period7c CE
First attested pre-500 BCE in Shaiva texts; documented by Xuanzang (7th c.), Al-Biruni (11th c.), Ibn Battuta (14th c.); continuous operation to 21st c.
3000 BCE7th century CEPresent
Sacred Facts · At a Glance
Mantra
Tradition-specific
- Gender
- male
- Sacred Colours
- tradition-specific
- Sacred Offerings
- tradition-specific
Primary Scriptures
0 sourcesNo primary scriptures are catalogued for this entry yet. If you know of scriptural references we have missed, please contribute them.
Manikarṇikā Ghāṭ
Tradition
Hindu / Shaiva
Location
- Varanasi (Manikarnika), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (25.3109°N, 83.0098°E)
Sacred Narrative
Manikarṇikā Ghāṭ — the principal burning ghat of Kāshi. Open-air cremation has continued uninterrupted for ~3,500 years. The sacred fire is said to have burned continuously since Shiva lit it. Dying here (jīva-samādhi, not just death) is considered to grant mokṣa. Dom community manages cremations (an inherited role). The adjacent Chakra-puṣkariṇī is the sacred tank.
Wisdom Graph: Divine Associations
MantraTradition-specific
- Offerings
- tradition-specific
- Sacred colours
- tradition-specific
🪔 Worship Procedures
- Daily rites
- • tradition-specific
🛕 Principal Temples
- Main shrine of Manikarṇikā GhāṭVaries📍 Varanasi (Manikarnika), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaFestivals: Annual festivalManikarṇikā — Varanasi's cremation ghat
🎊 Festivals
- Annual Manikarṇikā Ghāṭ festivalSeasonally · 1–10 days
Sources & provenance
🎓 1 Scholarly📖 1 Tertiary
- 🎓Scholarly sourceBookHindu tradition sources
- 📖Supporting referenceGazetteerVaranasi Gazetteer