Tulsi Ghat

Tulsi Ghat is a significant riverfront on the Ganges in Varanasi, named after the 16th-century poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas. It is widely revered as the sacred site where Tulsidas lived and composed the Ramcharitmanas, the Awadhi version of the epic Ramayana. Tulsi Ghat is closely associated with Goswami Tulsidas (1547–1622), the poet-saint who composed the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, making the story of Lord Rama accessible to ordinary people. He lived here, wrote here, and is believed to have left his mortal body at this ghat in 1623 CE (Vikram Samvat 1680). Originally known as Lolark Ghat, it was named after the ancient Lolark Kund, one of Kashi's oldest sacred sites dedicated to the Sun God. The kund is regarded as the foremost of the city's twelve Aditya (Sun) shrines and has been an important pilgrimage destination for centuries. The present ghat was rebuilt in 1807 by Amrit Rao, the adopted son of Peshwa Raghunath Rao. Additional stonework was added by Baldeo Das Birla in 1941, while Mahant Swaminath of Sankat Mochan Temple also contributed to its development during the early 20th century. Tulsi Ghat is known for its peaceful atmosphere, shaded riverfront, and panoramic views of the Ganga. It remains an active community space where locals gather for worship, conversation, and festivals. The ghat hosts several important cultural and religious events, including the Nag Nathaiya Leela, the annual Dhrupad Music Festival, and rituals at Lolark Kund, where devotees pray for fertility, good health, and well-being.