Floodwaters Inundate Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats; Cremations Shift to Narrow Lanes

Floodwaters Inundate Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats; Cremations Shift to Narrow Lanes

Rising water levels in the Ganges have transformed the appearance of Kashi’s prominent cremation grounds, Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats. The lower sections of Manikarnika Ghat are submerged in floodwaters, reducing the space available for cremations by approximately fivefold. Consequently, last rites are now being performed on a terrace situated 15 feet above the ghat level. While more than 50 bodies could be cremated simultaneously on ordinary days, only 8 to 10 funeral pyres can burn at the same time now.