राजघाट

Raj Ghat is one of the oldest parts of Varanasi. It is said that this was the site of Kashi’s original settlement. Archaeological discoveries here — remnants of old walls, broken pottery, and timeless bricks — whisper of a city older than the legends, older than the epics, perhaps even older than memory itself. Some call it the first ghat — the place where Varanasi truly began. One can see the archaeological remains beside the ghat, which is today a protected site under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Named after the residencies of the kings who ruled from here, this settlement dates back to around 800 BCE. Serving as the hub and administrative capital of the Gahadavalas, it was paved with stone in 1988. It is also called the Mahishasur Ghat. The presence of the Adikeshav temple and the Chandan Shaheed mausoleum highlights the site's religious diversity and importance. The site is also home to Vasanta College for Women, which was established in the 1940s.

The Malviya Bridge, also known as Rajghat bridge, is a prominent landmark and engineering marvel near Rajghat. Originally known as The Dufferin Bridge, this bridge was built in 1887. It is a double-decker bridge in Varanasi, carrying a railway line on the lower deck and road traffic on the upper deck.

From the Raj Ghat, the Ganga seems wider, calmer, and deeper, flowing with an ancient patience that has seen empires rise and fall.