21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Manikarnika Ghaat in Varanasi

Manikarnika Ghaat is one of the 84 ghaats (Ganga River bank) in the famous religious place for hindus in India, Varanasi. In this ghaat, dead bodies keep burning for 24 hours and 365 days. It is assumed that the bodies which are cremated in this river bank, obtain Moksha. Every 1 minute a new dead body is brought to cremate. The ghaat always remains red, hot and smoky. There's a clear chant of "Ram Naam Satya Hai" near the ghaat. The name, Manikarnika is derived from one of the most fierce woman warrior queen in the Indian History, Rani Laxmi Bai who was also known as Manikarnika.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Varanasi, India
Copyright: © Mohit Kumar