The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Sankatha Ghat

Detailed description of each heritage Site - Scindhia Ghat to Pancaganga Ghat

Location

25º 18.729’ North and 83º 00.935’ East (Vashistha-Vamadeva Temple). 25º 18.730’ North and 83º 00.930’ East (Atmavireshvara Temple). 25º 18.733’ North and 83º 00.933’ East (Sankatha Devi Temple).

Exact location on a map

Scindhia and Sankatha Ghats

Area

0.0241ha (the temple compound and nearby area)

Historical/cultural/natural significance

Following this lane if one goes towards the ghat one meets Parvateshvara (CK 7/ 156) on the left, and Vasukishvara and Samudreshvara on the right. After a short walk to the other side of lane one enters the temple of Sankatha Devi (“Goddess of dangers”), called Sankatha-Ji (CK 7/ 159), for she is the one who vanquishes dangers for her devotees. She was originally an ancient folk mother-goddess who later on mythologised as Shiva’s consort and her prayer eulogised her as the demon slayer. Her temple icon confirms this identity with the Great Goddess: She is shown with her foot on the vanquished demon, his bull’s head severed from his body. Entering the compound of Sankatha Devi one finds a large courtyard in the centre of which is an old holy-fig tree, with a number of tiny shrines tangled in its mass of roots. The principal one in the group is Sankataharana Hanuman. In the far corner of the compound is the entrance to the sanctuary of the goddess. Close by the gate are the lingas of Sagareshvara and Sankateshvara. The great door is flanked by the sacred cosmogram of Shri Yantra. The sanctuary is dark, lit only by the oil lamps on the altar. There are three recesses on the altar: the first one of divine gatekeepers (dvarapalas), the last one of Hanuman, and the central one occupied by the silver-masked image of goddess Sankatha Devi. Worshippers are allowed to touch the feet of the goddess, which is not common in other goddess temples.

Present state of conservation

Except by the temple trusts and the local public organisations, those work on their own ways, there are no specific action plans, programmes and strategies for conservation and preservation of the ghats.

C.K. 7/147 Sidheswari Chowk - The constructions located on the northern side of this building are illegal (as also stated in at Serial no. 24 in VDA affidavits presented by VDA to the Allahabad High Court, dated 3 Dec 2012 and 24 Jan 2013) Despite VDA issuing demolition orders for this illegal construction on 27 March 2002, the illegal construction continues to exist since 11 years

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 temples are owned by their Temple Trusts; the ghat area by the Municipal Corporation.