Legends say the ghats are as old as Kashi itself — but most of the stone steps you see today were rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries by royal patrons.
Varanasi (Kashi) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and its riverfront has been sacred for thousands of years. Many ghats are linked to Puranic legends, but the grand stone architecture lining the Ganga today largely dates from the 18th century onwards.
From the 18th century, rulers from across India — Marathas, Rajputs, the Scindias of Gwalior, the Bhonsles, the Maharajas of Darbhanga and Vijayanagaram and the Kings of Nepal — built ghats, palaces and temples here. Examples include Man Mandir (Rajput palace, observatory added by Sawai Jai Singh II), Scindia Ghat and the Nepali Temple at Lalita Ghat. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore also built a ghat that bears her name.
Newer developments include Namo Ghat in the north and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor linking the temple to Lalita Ghat. See all names on the 84 ghats list, or see them in order on the 84 ghats boat tour.
Last updated: 8 October 2026 · All Varanasi guides
