Lalita Ghat

Lalita Ghat is a historic riverfront ghat on the Ganges in northern Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, situated between Scindia Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat. Built in the early 19th century by King Rana Bahadur Shah of Nepal, it is noted for the Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple) in traditional Nepalese pagoda style and the Lalita Gauri Temple. The ghat is one of Varanasi's 84 ghats and serves as an important bathing and pilgrimage site.

Visitors can expect a stone-stepped riverfront ghat on the Ganges with views of the river, boats, and adjacent ghats. The main structures are the wood-carved Nepali Temple (Pashupatinath Temple) built in pagoda style, and the small Lalita Gauri and Laliteshwar Mahadev shrines at the top of the steps. The area is used for bathing, photography, sightseeing and short boat rides, with narrow lanes connecting to the old city.

Lalita Ghat was built in the early 19th century by King Rana Bahadur Shah of Nepal during his exile in Varanasi. The king initiated the construction of the Nepali Temple (also called Kathwala Temple) as a replica of Kathmandu's Pashupatinath Temple, completed between 1841 and 1843 by his son King Rajendra Bikram Shah. The temple is built in traditional Nepalese pagoda style using wood and terracotta.

The ghat is named after Goddess Lalita Gauri and houses the Lalita Gauri Temple and Laliteshwar Mahadev Temple, revered by pilgrims. It is one of the 84 ghats of Varanasi and is considered sacred for bathing in the Ganges. The Nepali Temple adds distinct Nepalese architectural and cultural heritage to the Varanasi riverfront.