The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Jalashayi (Jalasen) Ghat
Detailed description of each heritage Site - Mir Ghat to Bajirao Ghat
Location
edit25º 18.513’ North and 83º 00.611’ East (Jalashayi Ghat, north part).
Exact location on a map
editJalashayi and Khiraki Ghats
Area
edit0.089 ha
Historical/cultural/natural significance
editJalashayi Ghat is also called Jalasen Ghat. According to folk legend Lord Shiva sleep in the deep water of the Ganga at this ghat, that is how the name Jalashayi. The earlier description of this ghat was mentioned under the name Mokshadvareshvara Ghat, as narrated in the Giravana-padamanjari, a 17th-century text. It was believed that a portion of the corpse's spirit could go under the deep water to meet Shiva, which resulted in providing passage to heaven through the bliss of Shiva. This belief has converged into a ritual in which the corpse is first put into water near this ghat before being placed on the funeral pyre. In the early 20th century, the ghat was made pucca by Baldeodas Birla, who also built a rest house for the attendants coming with the corpse. However, presently, very few attendants take shelter in the rest house. No religious activities are performed at this ghat. The ghat serves as a ferry station for cremation and transporting the wood.
Present state of conservation
editExcept by the rest houses directly taking care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes and strategies for conservation and preservation of the ghats. The guest house trusts maintain their properties according to their own perspectives without specific plans. Many of such guest houses and buildings are illegally occupied by the residents there in.
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 rest house related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trusts; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation.