Vachchharaj Ghat Varanasi

Vital Information for Visitors

Address:

Vachchharaj Ghat, near Shivala, Varanasi, UP.

Open & Close:

Open on all days – 24x7

Entry Fee:

Free

Duration:

Approx 30 minutes

Celebrations :

Shringar in Akrureshwar Temple

Significance :

Birth place of Suparshwanath Jain Temple

Ghats - the river fronts - of the River Ganga are the most visited and sacred spots of Varanasi. These ghats of Varanasi add on to the spiritual and religious aspects of the city. Religious rituals are performed on wide step-stones of the ghats. These step-stones are employed as a suitable platform to carry out Ganga Aarti and cultural activities. Vachchharaj Ghat, one of 84 ghats in Varanasi, is located on the northern part of Anandmayi Ghat. Originally built in 18th century by a famous businessman Vachchharaj, the Vachchharaj Ghat was renovated, re-constructed and made ‘pucca’ in 1965 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. English historian Princep had also mentioned about Vachchharaj Ghat in 1831. There are three temples at the top of the Vachchharaj Ghat – Mother Ganga Temple containing beautiful idols of Goddess Ganga, Lord Ganesh & Lord Shiva; Akrureshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; and Suparshvanath Jain Temple. There is also a shrine called Gopal Temple, built in 1964 AD by Anandmayi Maa.

It draws its religious significance from the fact that the seventh Jain Tirthankar Suparshvanath of Shwetamber sect was born nearby to Vachchharaj Ghat. A large number of Jain families live in the vicinity. As a result, the area is recognized as cluster of the people believing in Jainism. The Jain faithful from all across globe visit Vachchharaj Ghat and have holy dip in Ganga before doing ‘puja’ in a Jain temple close to the ghat. It is mostly the Jain devotees who visit this ghat. Many people are also seen exercising at Vachchharaj Ghat. This ghat gets quite lively during ‘Shringar’ festival in Akrureshwar Temple.

Vachchharaj Ghat is near Assi Ghat in Shivala. The ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi. The temples and ghat area are owned by the respective trusts. There is no fee for entering into Vachchharaj Ghat. Anyone can visit and explore the ghat as and when one wants to. The best time, however, to explore Vachchharaj Ghat is early morning when aarti and puja are done. Many visitors find evening hours pleasant too. Vachchharaj Ghat is mainly used by local people for daily bath and exercises.