The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Gularia Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prabhu Ghat to Kedara Ghat

Gularia Ghat

Location

25º 17.652’ North and 83º 00.410’ East (south point of the Gularia Ghat).

Exact location on a map

Shivala–Gularia and Dandi Ghats

Area

0.58 ha

Historical/cultural/natural significance

The extended part of Shivala Ghat is called Gularia Ghat. In fact, earlier, this was part of the Dandi Ghat. In 1819, a rich merchant of Banaras, Lalluji Agrawal, made this ghat pucca. After the well-known old and huge gular tree, a type of fig, the ghat is called Gularia Ghat. Attached to the ghat is a place of traditional wrestling. This ghat is deserted. -- A rich merchant of Banaras, Lalluji Agrawal, built it in 1821 with a joint effort of Babu Sagaramal. The government of Uttar Pradesh further renovated and restructured it in 1958. In the upper part of the ghat, there is a temple and a wrestling place. A branch of the Sharadapith of Dvaraka is where the Dandi ascetics live, carrying sticks in their hands and using ochre-coloured cloth. After this centre of Dandi ascetics, the ghat is called Dandi Ghat.

Present state of conservation

Except for the temple and monastery trusts, which are directly taking care of their ashramas, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The trusts maintain their properties according to their perspectives without specific plans.

Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It 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 benefit of the society.

Ownership

The respective temples, trusts, and residents own the specific properties along the ghat, while the municipal corporation owns the ghat area.