Panchganga Ghat, Varanasi

Panchganga Ghat is called so because it is built on the confluence of five holy rivers—Ganga, Saraswati, Dhupapapa, Yamuna and Kirna. Out of these five only Ganga remains visible while the other four are believed to have disappeared in earth. The location of Gangaghat, therefore, explains why it is regarded as one of the most sacred ghats in Varanasi.

Apart from its unique and sacred location, Panchganga Ghat is also famous for three historical reasons.

1. Sant Tulsidas, the creator of Ramayana, produced his famous literary work, "Vinay-Patrika", here while he stayed at this place.

2. It was here that the great teacher and scholar of Vedas, Swami Ramanand, taught his disciples.

3. Mughal Aurangzeb destroyed a revered Vishnu temple built by a Maratha chieftain, Beni Madhavrao Scindia, and built the Alamgir Mosque here instead.