The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Agnishvara (Naya) Ghat
Detailed description of each heritage Site - Scindhia Ghat to Pancaganga Ghat
Location
edit25º 18.839’ North and 83º 00.890’ East (Agnishvara, Patni Tola).
Exact location on a map
editNaya-Ganesha and Mehta Ghats.
Area
edit0.21 ha
Historical/cultural/natural significance
editAgnishvara (or Naya) ghat is named after the puranic water-front tirtha in the Ganga, called Agni Tirtha, and the same temple (Patni Tola CK 2/1). This linga and tirtha are described in the Giravana-padamanjari, a 17th-century text. In Prinsep’s map (1822) this ghat is mentioned as Gularia Ghat which was made partly pucca a few years before. According to the KKT (p. 122), as mentioned in the Linga Purana, in the Ashtayatana Yatra, pilgrimage to eight directional lingas, this ghat is eulogised as the site for initiation and concluding rituals. Between Scindhia and Ganesha Ghats, five puranic sacred spots exist at the waterfront, viz. Vighnesha, Vira, Candra, Kala and Angara. In 1965, the government of Uttar Pradesh built this ghat pucca. Till 1985 this ghat was used as the centre of marketing sand and wood which were transported here by boats, however this practice has been banned here.
Present state of conservation
editExcept for the temple organisations and the hospital taking care of their properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trusts maintain their properties according to their own perspectives.
Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property
editIt is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control) the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better befit to the society.
Ownership
editThe respective trusts own the temple-related and hospital properties along the ghat, the inhabitants own the houses and other properties, and the Municipal Corporation owns the ghat area.