Sankata Ghat Varanasi

Vital Information for Visitors

Address:

Sankata Ghat, Assi Ghat Road, Ghasi Tola, Varanasi, U.P.

Open & Close:

Open on all days – 24x7

Entry Fee:

Free

Duration:

Approx 30 minutes

Celebrations :

All women ‘aarti’ on Friday at Sankata Temple after holy dip at Sankata Ghat

Significance :

Site of Shitala Temple, a ‘shaktipeeth’

The ghats of Varanasi hold a special place not only for the city dwellers but also for the travellers. In addition to serving as major landmark of the city and being best-suited river-fronts for performing various religious activities, the ghats in Varanasi are also the charm of the old Kashi that attracts people from all over the world just to see the happenings at these step-stones. Sankata Ghat is one of the famous ghats of Varanasi. The ghat is named after Goddess Sankata whose temple is located at the top. The original name of Snakata Ghat was Yameshwar Ghat. The name Yameshwar Ghat was given due to ancient temples of Yameshwara and Harishchandraeshwara in a lane at the top. There are some facts that prove that it was an old cremation area of the ghat. Even till date, on the occasion of Yama Dvitiya, the devotees take a sacred bath on this ghat. During late 18th century, the King of Baroda made Snakata Ghat. Again in 1825 AD, the widow of Benira Pandit, known as Panditain, built Sankata Ghat ‘pucca’ with Sankata Temple atop it. Sankata Ghat, earlier a part of Ganga Mahal Ghat, now is a separate ghat.

Idol of Goddess Sankata is installed in the sanctum sanctorum of Sankata Temple. There is also a statue of a lion as vehicle of the goddess. It is one of the most important temples of the city. The name Sankata indicates that the goddess obviates dangers and harms to the devout. Goddess Sankata has ten hands and represents ferocious form of Goddess Parvati or Sati. The temple is a ‘shaktipeeth’. Sankata Temple opens on all days. Every Friday, special puja is carried out by the women. The morning aarti at the temple happens at 4.30 AM and the evening aarti takes place at 10 PM.

Sankata Ghat is located at Assi Ghat Road in Ghasi Tola. The ghat offers panoramic view of Ganga. No entry fee is charged for visiting Sankata Ghat and remains always open for everyone to explore as and when one wants to explore. The ghat area, close to Assi Ghat, is under the control of the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi.