Uttar Pradesh marks Varanasi heritage sites as illegal

Lucknow: The historic Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi is among the 579 heritage sites that have been declared illegal by the Varanasi Development Authority.

All these sites are situated on the banks of the Ganga. Others declared illegal in the list, that was compiled on the orders of the Allahabad High Court are Ravidas temple, Bindu Madhav temple, residence of Kashi’s Dome Raja, Mehta Hospital, Balaji Temple, Chet Singh Fort. The Manikarnika Ghat is linked with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and mythology says that the ghat is especially sacred because people cremated there receive salvation.

The Manikarnika Ghat is also known as a place where the flames of pyres never get extinguished and cremations take place round the clock. A senior official said that places that did not find a mention in their records had been listed. “These are ancient destinations and we have no records to prove their existence or ownership. We have merely submitted the facts to the courts”, said an official.