Tulsi Ghat is another important Ghat of Varanasi.
Tulsi Ghat is named after the great Hindu poet of the 16th century,
Tulsidas. Tulsi Ghat is an important window into the Hindu mythology.
Tulsi Das composed the great Indian epic, Ramcharitmanas at Varanasi.
According to mythology, when Tulsi's manuscript fell into the River
Ganga it did not sink and kept floating instead. It is also believed
that the Ramlila (story of Lord Rama's life) was staged here for the
first time. Perhaps, to commemorate this a temple of Lord Ram was built
on the Tulsi Ghat. Many of the relics of Tulsi Das are preserved at the
Tulsi Ghat. The house in which Tulsidas died has been preserved and his
samadhi, wooden clogs, pillow and the idol of Hanuman, which Tulsi
worshipped, are all still intact here.
Earlier, Tulsi Ghat was known as Lolark Ghat (mentioned in Gaharwa
Danpatra and Girvanapadamanjari). It was in the year 1941 when Tulsi
Ghat was made pucca (cemented) by the famous industrialist, Baldeo Das
Birla. Tulsi Ghat is associated with a number of important activities
such as bath of Lolarkkunda (to be blessed with sons and their long
life) and the sacred bath to get rid of leprosy. Tulsi Ghat is also a
center of cultural activities. During Hindu lunar month of Kartika
(Oct/Nov), Krishna Lila is staged here with great fanfare and devotion.
