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Varanasi, 03 October (HS). On Thursday, the first day of Shardiya Navratri, members of Namami Gange conducted a cleanliness campaign at Sankatha Ghat. Apart from the ghat, the members took the puja materials thrown on the banks of Ganga to the dustbin. While awakening the spirit of cleanliness at the ghat, Kashi region coordinator of Namami Gange, Rajesh Shukla also introduced the people present with the historical facts of Sankatghat.
He told that Sankatha Ghat has been identified with Shakti Swarupa Goddess Durga. Ghats are an important link in the many historical and mythological chains from the Himalayas to the Ganges Sea. He told that in the historical Siddheshwari street above Sankha Ghat, there is a famous temple of Goddess Maa Sankhatha, Maa Pitambara, Maa Katyayani Devi, Maa Vindhyavasini, Maa Siddheshwari Durga. In this Siddha Kshetra, Vishveshwar Mahadev, the soul of Shri Kashi Vishwanath, is present and giving darshan to the devotees. Since it was the temple of Mata Sankatha, the ghat was later named after her. Earlier the ghat extended till Gangamahal. After the Ganga Mahal Ghat was paved in the middle of the eighteenth century, the ghat was divided into two parts. Those who know the history of the ghat say that the wife of Vishwambhar Dayal, who was considered a great worshiper of Shakti, got the ghat constructed in 1825. According to Kashikhand, it is believed that Sankatghat was a cremation ground in ancient times. Because Yameshwar Shiva and Harishchandreshwar temples are established in the ghat area. Even today, people tell the legend of a big bathing fair being held at Ghat Bada on Yam Dwitiya in ancient times. Even today, knowledgeable people come to take bath at the ghat on Yama Dwitiya.
According to the opinion of the local pilgrimage priests, there is a belief of Veer and Chandra etc. pilgrimage sites in front of the ghat. Chintamani Vinayak Temple, Baikunthmadhav, Vashishteshwar Shiva etc. temples are also established on the ghat. According to the story described in Chapter 61 of Kashi Khand, Harishchandra Vinayak, established in the Harishchandra Temple at Sankatha Ghat, gives strength to the devotees to follow the path of truth. The palace of the King of Baroda is built on the ghat itself. It was built by his queen. There is a majority population of Gujarati and Marathi community in the surrounding areas. A lot of devotees visit the ghat on Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri. Apart from darshan and worship, due to the special recognition of the ghat, special events are organized at the ghat on Ganga Dussehra and Diwali.