The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Nandishvara Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Prahalad Ghat to Raj Ghat

Location

-- 25º 19.184’ North and 83º 01.387’ East (Gola Ghat, centre). 25º 19.214’ North and 83º 01.390’ East (Nandishvara Ghat, centre).

Exact location on a map

Gola–Nandishvara–Sakka– Phuta Ghats

Area

0.075 ha

Historical/cultural/natural significance

At this ghat, a temple called Nandishvara is in the upper part. As a mark of respect, the residents, with their collective efforts, built this temple in the early 19th century. One portion of it was built in pucca by Dvarikanath Chakravorty (of Bhavanipur, West Bengal) in 1940, who also constructed a mansion (A 4/ 13). There are stone steps from the bank to the upper part, and on the way to the right side, on a platform, there is a complex of several small shrines and temples, which also includes a shrine of Bhrigu Keshav (Vishnu). In 1988, the government's irrigation department made this ghat pucca. In the recent past a wrestling site (akhara), named Nanishvara Akhara has also been opened where one can get training of Indian style of wrestling and art of body-making. The ghat area is occupied by basket and pole makers, a professional caste considered low in the hierarchy.

Present state of conservation

Except for the temple organisation, which takes care of its properties, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats. The temple trust maintains its properties according to its own perspectives.

Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property

It is expected that by the support of 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

The temple related properties along the ghat are owned by the respective trust; the houses and other properties by the inhabitants; and the ghat area is owned by the Municipal Corporation.