Manikarnika Bath Story

Manikarnika Ghat has an ancient history and houses temples of Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva, constructed by the king of Magadh. It has been a sacred cremation ground for over 3000 years, with more than 300 cremations performed daily. The cremation rituals here are conducted by the Dom community. Once, King Harishchandra renounced his kingdom and wealth to fulfill a vow. He lived a life of poverty and faced many hardships. During this time, his son passed away. With no money to perform the last rites, he brought his son's body to Manikarnika Ghat for cremation. To pay the Dom community, he tore a piece of his wife's saree as an offering and conducted the funeral. On the Ekadashi day of the Phalguna month, a unique ritual is performed at Manikarnika Ghat, where devotees play Holi with ashes from the cremation pyres. It is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva returned home with Goddess Parvati after their wedding. As their ceremonial procession passes through the ghat, Aghori sages welcome them by dancing. Even today, Aghori sages play Holi with ashes and colored powder (gulal) as part of Lord Shiva's worship. Additionally, on the Ashtami day of Chaitra Navratri, women from the courtesan community perform dances here to pray to Lord Shiva, asking to be freed from their profession in their next life. This is the complete story and significance of Manikarnika Ghat, a place steeped in spiritual traditions.