The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c15.68

v1.c15.68

Eighty miles below Allāhābād, on the north bank of the Ganges is Benares, the most sacred city of the Hindus. Benares extends for four miles along the bank of the river, which here descends to the water with a steep brink. Down this brink are built flights of steps known as Ghāts, at the foot of which pilgrims bathe, and dead bodies are burnt. The south bank opposite lies low and is not sacred. The word Ghāt is identical with the name applied geographically to the west and east brinks of the Deccan Plateau.