International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

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Sacred Space and Political Symbolism at Three Prominent Ghats of Varanasi

Author(s) Ms. Smita Priyadarshini, Dr Anita Samal
Country India
Abstract The ghats of Varanasi are more than just riverfront spaces along the Ganga River. They are places where culture, religion, public identity and everyday life come together. For centuries, these ghats have been associated with rituals, spirituality and pilgrimage. At the same time, they also carry political and symbolic meanings that have become more visible in recent years through tourism, media representation and government-led development projects.
The paper argues that the ghats have become symbols of both state-led cultural politics and sacred continuity. Dashashwamedh ghat reflects public ritual performance through the famous Ganga aarti, Manikarnika ghat represents the sacred association between death and liberation, while Assi ghat reflects the growing connection between spirituality, tourism and urban culture. Each of these ghats represents a different aspect of the city’s religious and cultural identity.
The study is based on qualitative analysis using books, policy reports, journal articles, and observation-based understanding of activities at the ghats. The paper argues that these spaces are not only religious sites but also important cultural and political symbols. Government projects, media attention, and tourism have transformed the visual and social character of the ghats, making them part of larger discussions about heritage, identity and nationalism in contemporary India.
Keywords Sacred space, political symbolism, Varanasi ghats, Ganga aarti, Cultural politics, Religious landscape, Pilgrimage
Field Sociology > Politics
Published In Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On 2026-05-13
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E-ISSN 2582-2160
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