Harish Chandra Ghat at Varanasi is one of the two
cremation Ghats of Varanasi. Harish Chandra Ghat is associated with
the Hindu mythological king, Harish Chandra.
Harish Chandra Ghat is one of the oldest Ghats of
Varanasi. Harish Chandra Ghat is name after a mythological King Harish
Chandra, who once worked at the cremation ground here for the
perseverance of truth and charity. It is believed that the Gods rewarded
him for his resolve, charity and truthfulness and restored his lost
throne and his dead son to him. Harish Chandra Ghat is one of the two
cremation Ghats (the other being Manikarnika Ghat) and is some times
referred as Adi Manikarnika (the original creation ground). Hindus from
distant places bring the dead bodies of their near and dear ones to the
Harish Chandra Ghat for cremation. In Hindu mythology it is believed
that if a person is cremated at the Harish Chandra Ghat, that person
gets salvation or "moksha". The Harish Chandra Ghat was
somewhat modernized in late 1980's, when an electric crematorium was
opened here.
