Narada Ghat in Varanasi - a ghat that breaks marriages

I must have been 16 or 17 when I first visited Varanasi (or Banaras, if you prefer). While standing at one of the ghats I can’t recall the name of, I heard my father jokingly teasing my mother saying, “Narada ghat par nahate hai, abhi jhagda ho jayega”. From that day onwards, I’ve been curious about this bizarre mystery, which is something a lot of people believe. So… what is the mystery of Narada Ghat? I did some digging. Here’s what I found out.

What is the story behind the name of Narada Ghat?

Narada Ghat is named after Narada Muni, a prominent name in the Hindu religion known for his wisdom and devotion. He is a devotee of lord Vishnu, often depicted as a travelling musician and storyteller who carries news and wisdom across the world. According to legends and folklore, he meditated at this ghat, performed rituals and gained spiritual insights. One more reason behind the name is the proximity of the ghat to the Nardeshvara temple, which is believed to have been installed by the sage himself.

The reason why couples shouldn’t take a bath at Narada Ghat 

There’s a very interesting reason behind the myth. If you have seen the epics - Mahabharat, Ramayan or anything else, you must have observed how Narada Muni is mischievous. Apart from being a divine messenger, he is a bit of a trickster. He is often depicted as someone who stirs up situations to teach lessons or to create divine play (leela). He is notorious for creating discord or misunderstandings, often to test the devotion and unity of individuals, including couples. Now, the belief that couples bathing together at Narada Ghat end up in a feud is rooted in the fact that his energy still lingers at the ghat. People believe his influence could lead to playful or mischievous interventions, causing temporary discord. While it is not a universally accepted belief, it is often mentioned by locals and guides as a cautionary tale for couples visiting the ghat.

Narad Ghat, Varanasi

What is the solution?

Like they say, every poison has an antidote. Similarly, even the feuds caused by bathing at Narada Ghat have a cure. That said, the simplest solution is to avoid bathing at Narada Ghat if you ever visit Varanasi . There are 87 more ghats, each one with more prominence than Narada Ghat where you can take a bath, including Dashashwamedh Ghat or Assi Ghat, both considered more auspicious for couples. Having said that, if you have already committed the mistake, there’s a cure. You can walk to Chhameshwar Ghat (which translates to maafi in Hindi or being forgiven) and take a dip alongside performing some rituals to seek relief from the influence of Narada muni.

Now that you know, would you rather avoid taking a bath at Narada Ghat or you won’t?