ASSI GHAT

ASSI GHAT

Assi river, which once markedthe southern boundary ofKashi, has degenerated into aturgid stream. They say Assisprang from this point whenthe warrior goddess Durgadropped her sword or asiwhile battling demons.Assi Ghat is a recommendedpoint to begin boat rides downthe river. The Tulsi Manas andDurga temples are nearby.In the 16th century, the poe tTulsidas wrote his immortalepic Ramcharitmanas in ahouse just above Assi Ghat. A part of the ghat was later named Tulsi Ghat after thepoet and his house and templestill stand here.Just north of this ghat is oneof the most sacred sites ofVaranasi, the Lolarka Kund,a pool dedicated to Surya,the Sun God. They say thesun trembled at this site afteradmiring the beauty of Kashi.Childless women come here tobathe and pray for offspringduring a popular annualfestival in August/September.