Why is it called Panchganga Ghat?
Panchganga means 'five Gangas'. Tradition holds that five rivers meet here — the Ganga with the Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana and Dhutapapa, the last four flowing unseen. The ghat is especially sacred during the month of Kartik, when lamps are hung on tall poles, and it is one of the most important bathing ghats of Kashi.
Panchganga Ghat
- Location
- Northern riverfront, Varanasi
- From Kashi Vishwanath
- About 2 km (approximate)
On this page
Significance
History
Above the ghat stands the Alamgir Mosque, which historical sources describe as built in the late 17th century on the site of a Vishnu temple, Bindu Madhav. A later Bindu Madhav temple stands nearby.
Kartik lamps
During Kartik (October–November), lamps are raised in baskets on tall bamboo poles — akash deep, "sky lamps" — in memory of ancestors. The ghat is at its most beautiful then, leading up to Dev Deepawali.
Best time to visit
Early morning, and during Kartik.
How to reach
On foot along the northern ghats from Manikarnika, or by boat. The lanes above are steep and narrow.
Etiquette on the ghats
- Dress modestly and remove shoes where others do, near shrines and bathing areas.
- Ask before photographing people, especially those bathing or performing rites.
- Don't photograph cremations.
- Decline persistent offers politely; agree boat fares before boarding.
- Keep the river clean — no plastic or litter.
Frequently asked questions
Which five rivers meet at Panchganga?
In tradition, the Ganga with the Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana and Dhutapapa — the last four unseen.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Ghats in Varanasi (encyclopaedia entry with cited references) (opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia — Reference work, checked September 2026
- Banaras: City of Light — Diana L. Eck (Knopf, 1982; Columbia University Press reprint) (opens in a new tab)
Columbia University Press — Scholarly source, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
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