Situated at the confluence of Ganga and Asi rivers,
Assi Ghat is the southernmost Ghat in Varanasi, where pilgrims bathe
before paying their homage to Lord Shiva in the form of huge lingam
situated under a peepal tree. Assi Ghat also constitutes the southern
end of conventional city. Another lingam worshipped here is the
Asisangameshwar lingam representing the lord of confluence of the Asi,
enshrined in a small marble temple near the Assi Ghat. It was at the
Assi Ghat where the famous Indian poet saint, Tulsi Das had written the
much-celebrated Ramcharitmanas.
There are numerous references of Assi Ghat in early literature of the
Hindus. We find the mention of Assi Ghat in matsya purana, Agni purana,
kurma purana, padma purana and kashi khanda. According legends, Goddess
Durga had thrown her sword after slaying the demon, Shumbha- Nishumbha.
The place, where the sword had fallen resulted in a big stream, known as
Assi River. Assi Ghat is located at the confluence of River Ganga and
Assi River. In Kashi Khand, Assi Ghat is referred as Assi "Saimbeda
Tirtha" and according to it one gets punya of all the Tirthas
(religious places) by taking a dip here. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims
take holy dip here in the months of Chaitya (March/ April) and Magh
(Jan/Feb) and other important occasions like solar/ lunar eclipse, Ganga
Dussehra, Probodhoni Ekadashi, Makar Shankranti etc.
