Why Get Cremated in Varanasi?
Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, holds a unique place in the hearts and minds of Hindus worldwide. It is the oldest living city on earth and is city steeped in religious and spiritual significance. Varanasi is particularly revered as the most auspicious place to be cremated—a belief rooted in tradition and mythology. Why?
The Assurance of Moksha: Liberation from the Cycle of Rebirth
According to Hindu beliefs, dying in Varanasi and being cremated on its ghats guarantees release from the cycle of samsara—the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This liberation, known as moksha, is the ultimate goal of every Hindu, representing the soul’s reunion with the divine and freedom from the burdens of earthly existence.
This belief is so deeply ingrained that many Hindus, particularly those of advanced age or suffering from terminal illnesses, make the pilgrimage to Varanasi with the hope of spending their final days in the city. It is said that even a fleeting thought of Varanasi at the time of death can lead to moksha, further highlighting the city’s unparalleled spiritual significance.
But why is Varanasi so revered as the place for this final journey? There are several reasons:
The Power of the Shiva Flame
At the heart of Varanasi’s significance is the unbroken flame of Lord Shiva, which burns continuously. This eternal flame, believed to have been burning for thousands of years, symbolizes the divine presence of Shiva, the destroyer of evil and the god of transformation.
At the heart of Varanasi’s significance is the unbroken flame of Lord Shiva, which burns continuously. This “External Flame” is believed to have been burning for thousands of years.
According to Hindu belief, Shiva governs death and the afterlife. The presence of his eternal flame at these cremation sites signifies the purification of the soul and its release from the cycle of rebirth. The strength and purity of this flame are so powerful that it even allows for cremations to take place after dark—a practice unique to Varanasi.
This unbroken connection to Lord Shiva, who is said to whisper the Taraka Mantra into the ears of the dead, ensures that those cremated in Varanasi are granted a direct path to moksha.
Why Is Shiva’s Eternal Flame in Varanasi?
Manikarnika Ghat, the most sacred of the cremation sites in Varanasi, holds a special place in Hindu mythology. It is believed that this ghat is where a jewel from Parvati’s ear fell while Lord Shiva was performing his Tandava—a cosmic dance that signifies the destruction of the universe in preparation for its renewal. This event made the site inherently powerful and charged with spiritual energy.
To retrieve his wife’s earring, Shiva dug into the ghat, and during this process, the eternal flame was established. It has never been extinguished.
How Does It Stay Lit?
Shiva entrusted the guardianship of the eternal flame to the Dom community. Historically considered part of a lower caste, their critical role—performed consistently from generation to generation over thousands of years—has earned them deep respect.
The leader of the Dom community has a palace on the ghats. This is a residence as well as an administrative centre for the community.
The Cleansing Waters of the Ganges
Another reason Varanasi is considered the most auspicious place for cremation is its location along the banks of the sacred River Ganges, specifically where it flows north. In Hinduism, the Ganges is more than just a river. It is the embodiment of the goddess Ganga, who descended from the heavens to cleanse the sins of humanity. Bathing in the Ganges is believed to purify the soul, washing away the accumulated sins of a lifetime and bringing one closer to divine grace.
Taking a dip in the Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have profound spiritual benefits. The Ganges carries the prayers of the faithful directly to the gods, making it the ultimate river of redemption.
When a person is cremated on the banks of this sacred river the body is first washed with Ganges water. Their ashes are then typically immersed in the Ganges. This provides a two step spiritual purification process before the soul’s journey to the afterlife.
This belief is especially potent in Varanasi because, while the Ganges predominantly flows southward from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, it takes an unusual turn in Varanasi and flows north, back towards the Himalayas. This symbolic return to the source represents a soul returning to the divine, perfectly aligned with the concept of moksha.
Why Are All the Ghats on the Western Bank of the Ganges?
Another fascinating aspect of Varanasi is that the city is built exclusively on the western bank of the Ganges. This positioning is no accident. In Hindu tradition, the rising sun is considered auspicious and associated with renewal, enlightenment, and divine blessings. By situating the city on the western bank it allows religious rituals and daily prayers to be performed facing the sun.
There are also practical reasons for this choice – higher elevation, providing protection from flooding, and better quality soil. These are much less interesting than the spiritual context!
Visit Varanasi
We visited in January 2023 and it remains our most memorable trip. Check out our blog post as we hope it will inspire you to love they experience as much as we did: Discovering Varanasi and Sarnath: A Tale of Mystical Ghats and Buddhist Heritage
