हनुमान गढ़ी घाट

Tucked along the sacred curve of the Ganges, lies the Hanuman Garhi Ghat. It was part of the Gaiya ghat till 1950 and had no religious importance until it was inhabited by Shyamalal Mahatyagi Baba of Bihar. In 1950, Baba built a Hanuman Temple here with the help of Hanuman Gadi temple Trust, Ayodhya and that’s how this Ghat got its name.

In 1972, a discipline of Shyamalal Baba made this ghat pucca, after which people started using it for bathing and meditation. Thereafter in 1980, another discipline built a small monastery on this ghat in the honour of Shyamlal Baba. This monastery is called Mahatyagi Ashram and is still in operation.

After the opening of monastery, the Hanuman Garhi Ghat got its final shape. Until today, the ghat is covered in the orangish-red hue of the temple and the monastery. The monastery provides free classes, food, and shelter to its students. One can learn yoga, astrology, and Sanskrit from here. The upper part of the ghat has a wrestling ring by the name of Ganga Akhara where locals practice wrestling.

The wide, peaceful steps here are not crowded, but steady — walked by sadhus, bathed in oil and silence, by devotees lighting lamps, and by the occasional traveller who doesn’t just look, but listens.