Largest Cremation of the World (Manikarnika Ghats)

Hinduism staunchly believes in rebirth. Cremation (Antyeshti Samskara) is one of the 16 Sanskara in Hinduism. It is believed that cremation relieves one’s soul in universe and opens a way to assimilate to divine.

Thus there are numerous crematorium Ghats in each and every city of India where cremation takes place. These crematoriums serve a smaller purpose where people cremate their loving ones who are dead.

Varanasi is one of these cities that have many smaller crematoriums. For centuries Varanasi has been the centre of such crematoriums and belief is to the extent that people waiting their deaths come to Varanasi in advance in hope to liberate their souls. Most important of these crematoriums are:

Harishchandra Ghat

Manikarnika Ghat

Hindu’s Belief for cremation

It is Hindu belief that getting cremated in Varanasi takes one soul to the Baikunth Dham, believed to be one of the abodes of Lord Vishnu. Moreover, salvation could be attained.

Every nearby dweller of Varanasi must take their dead to be cremated at Manikarnika Ghat. People who are far away from Varanasi and reaching Varanasi is a tough task for them, cremate their dead at nearby crematoriums and submerge their mortal remains or ashes into River Ganges at Manikarnika Ghat.