If you find yourself wandering around the lanes of Assi Ghat in Varanasi, here is a treasure trove of unique temples worth exploring. These temples near Assi Ghat will transport you into a peaceful world, where stories are carved into ancient stone and devotion for the divine reverberates the strongest.
In this post, I will take you to seven ancient temples (and one sacred stepwell) near Assi Ghat that you cannot miss during your trip to Varanasi.
Assi Ghat – Beginning of the end
The Assi ghat, at the southernmost end, is one of the last ghats in Varanasi. Many people mistake Assi as the Hindi word for 80, and assume that this is the 80th Ghat of Varanasi. But the name Assi Ghat originates from the tiny Assi River, which merges into the mighty Ganga River at this spot. According to the legend, after Goddess Durga defeated the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, she threw her divine sword at this place. And from its impact, the Assi River was formed.
From Assi Ghat, you can see a beautiful view of the entire Varanasi city, with all of its temples, ghats, boats and the Ganga river. You will find some nice cafes and quiet corners too around this ghat.
Ancient temples near Assi Ghat
Visiting these temples near Assi Ghat is not just about ticking off a list. It is stepping into the ancient world of faith, architecture, art, devotion and mystery. Each temple’s shrine, idols and rituals have been shaped by stories of kings, queens, priests, and the devotees who come here to seek blessings.
Assi Sangameshwar Shiva Temple
Located just 10 steps away from Assi Ghat, this temple marks the confluence of the Assi River into the mighty Ganga River. This is a very important temple as per the Puranas (Kashi Khand, Skanda Purana).
Inside the small temple shrine (garbhagriha) are four sacred Shivalingas, placed in a row from left to right. Their names are as follows:
- Gauri Kedareshwar
- Sangameshwar
- Vishwanath
- Amreshwar
Inside the temple, on the four corners are idols of Gods – Ganesha, Parvati, Surya and Lakshmi Narayan in each of the four directions. There is also a recently added idol of God Hanuman inside this temple.
This temple is built in a simple Nagara architectural style. It’s small but alive with positive energy and regular Shiva Abhishek rituals and pujas.
Ganga Mata & Nav Durga Temple
Located on the Assi Ghat, this serene little temple is dedicated to the river Goddess Ganga. As you go inside, you see the beautiful idol of Ganga Mata. You will find an ancient Shivalinga near the entrance. And on the left side are Nav Durga idols – the 9 idols that depict the 9 forms of Goddess Durga. Towards the end is an ancient idol of God Ganesha.
This temple offers a calm ambience, a quiet pause amid the sounds of the river and the pilgrims/tourists on Assi Ghat. It is the perfect place to meet the river Goddess Ganga and to absorb the spiritual atmosphere of the Ganga River’s flowing waters.
Panchameshwara / Panchratna Temple
Perched gracefully on a raised platform on the Assi ghat, this temple has an irregular hexagonal shape. The steps of Assi Ghat lead directly up inside the temple. It faces east, overlooking the Ganga river, and offers a beautiful view of Varanasi at sunrise.
It is built in the Panchayatan style of architecture, with 5 shrines and 5 shikharas in a single temple complex. The main shrine of Lakshmi Narayan is in the centre of this temple. It is surrounded by 4 smaller shrines in the 4 corners, as follows, in the clockwise direction –
- Ramdarbar & Ganesha
- Radha & Krishna
- Durga Mata, and
- Shivalinga with its Nandi.
The idols inside this temple are made from Ashtadhatu (an eight-metal alloy). And the priests here told me that more than 50 Abhisheks are performed daily on the Shivalinga inside this temple.
This temple was constructed in the 19th century by Queen Dulari Radhakunwar of Surasand Estate, Bihar. But she died before its completion, so the Kalas were never installed on top of its shikhara (spires). This temple struck me as something powerful, but unfinished.
Laxmi Narayan Temple
You can say that this temple is a twin of the above-mentioned Panchratna temple, but with completed Kalas and Shikharas (spires). It is located next to the Kavana hotel, a short walk inwards from the Assi ghat. This temple is also built in the Panchyatan style of architecture, with five shrines and five shikharas. The main shrine of Lakshmi Narayan is in the centre of this temple. It is surrounded by 4 smaller shrines in the 4 corners, as follows, in the clockwise direction –
- Shivalinga and Nandi
- Bal Krishna & Radha
- Bade Ram shrine
- Chote Ram shrine
Out of these, the Bade Ram shrine has some of the most beautiful ancient wall paintings inside. They are full of delicate and rich details. The idols inside the temple are made of Ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy), and the Kalas installed on top of the Shikhara (spires) are made of pure gold.
It is similar to the above-mentioned Panchratna temple, but it feels more complete and radiant with the golden Kalas on top of its Shikharas (spires).
Jagannath & Narsinha Temple
Hidden on a quieter corner of the main street leading to Assi Ghat, this massive temple is unexplored. But the peace and depth inside this temple are unforgettable. As you enter the verandah (the outer part of the temple), you come across some ancient Shivlingas to your left and an ancient water kunda (a sacred pond) at the main entrance.
Inside the main temple is a replica of God Jagannath from Puri, Odisha. The three smiling idols greet you as you enter the temple. On the four corners surrounding the main shrine are smaller shrines, as follows, in the clockwise direction:
- Sakshi Gopal
- Kaliya Dahan (Krishna’s scene)
- Ram Darbar, and
- Laxmi Narayan
At the heart of this temple is the giant Narasinha murti located exactly behind the Jagannath temple. This Narasinha idol has extremely fierce yet kind and caring eyes. The idol represents God Vishnu’s fierce form that protects his devotee, Prahlad. Standing before him, staring into his eyes, is a really divine experience.
Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple
This temple is located just a 5-minute walk from the Assi ghat. It is perched on a raised platform just off the main road. It has an elaborate staircase that greets you. On both sides of this staircase are reptilian figures like lizards/alligators, carved in the stone, guarding your ascent.
Above, on the roof, is intricate stone lattice work, visible from outside. When you enter the garbhagriha (inner sanctum), you will see: three ancient Shivlingas arranged in a triangle – possibly representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. On the walls inside the temple are vibrant and detailed ancient paintings. There is a Ganesha idol, and a few other small idols, also inside this temple.
This temple is believed to be a manifestation of the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga of Maharashtra in Kashi. And being this close to Assi Ghat, it feels like a secret corner in Kashi’s sacred geometry.
Lolark Kund & Lolark Aditya Temple
This sacred spot deserves a special mention in the temples near Assi Ghat. It is located just next to the above-mentioned Trimbakeshwar temple. It is a combination of the sacred Lolark Kunda (stepwell), Lolark Aditya (Sun God) and a giant Shivalinga.
Lolark Kunda: According to the Kashi Khand, Skanda Purana, this kunda (stepwell) gets its water source from the confluence of Ganga and Assi rivers. The water inside this stepwell is considered extremely sacred. Architecturally, steep stone steps from three sides lead down to the water inside the Kunda; the fourth side resembles a wall. On ordinary days, it is very quiet, but on festival days, it becomes vibrant, full of pilgrims and puja rituals.
Lolark Aditya & the Giant Shivalinga: Inside a small temple next to the stepwell, a giant Shivalinga is facing towards the waters of the Lolark Kunda. This Shivalinga is powerful and worshipped by both locals and pilgrims. The idol of Lolark Aditya (Sun God) also resides in this temple, along with idols of all nine planets. This is an important temple as it is one of the Dwadash Aditya (12 Sun God temples) found in Varanasi.
Lolark Shasthi festival: On the sixth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada month (in Aug/Sept as per Gregorian calendar), couples who don’t have children come to bathe in the Lolark Kunda. They perform puja rituals and offer prayers. It is believed that bathing in the waters of Lolark Kunda (stepwell) will bless them with a child. If you visit during Lolark Shasthi, you will find long queues of couples praying for children, and also a small Fair/ Mela surrounding this temple.
How to visit temples near Assi Ghat
- Visit early morning (sunrise time) – The light is beautiful in those hours, with fewer people, and more peace. You can attend the Subah-e-Benaras cultural program that happens every morning on Assi Ghat, then visit these temples.
- You can also plan your visit to these temples near Assi Ghat during late afternoon, and then attend the evening Ganga Aarti on Assi Ghat.
- Wear comfortable and easily removable shoes, so that you can visit temples faster. Wear modest clothing or our traditional wear, and respect photography rules inside each of these temples.
Exact locations of Temples near Assi Ghat
1) Assi Sangameshwar Shiva Temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f4Yt7CGeVJjL1nm3A
2) Maa Ganga & Nav Durga temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/F4j4ojwP85wmRUV98
3) Panchameshwar / Panchratna Temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5LYCXtNWxj6nDUed9
4) Laxmi Narayan Temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hqs6hYL4kahjD6Q38
5) Jagannath & Narsinha Temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/txD2Twq4tdjP3eWz5
6) Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pd6zYYUGfmu4m7da8
7) Lolark Kunda & Lolark Aditya Temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jeGBHDSxF7ZAZq277
When you explore these ancient temples, you are visiting sacred spots full of devotion that make Kashi divine. Every step you take here feels like stepping back into the time when the Gods walked the earth and the rivers were sacred. So when you visit the temples near Assi ghat, feel the magic, explore the mysteries and get lost in the offbeat paths and lanes of Varanasi.
