DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9541#0509
Chap. V.
GHATS OR LANDING-PLACES.
485
being to afford easy access to bathers, the flight of steps in front is
in reality the t/hdt, and the main object of the erection. These are
generally broken, as in this instance, by small projections, often
crowned by kiosks, which take off the monotony inherent in long
lines of narrow steps. The flight of stairs is always backed by a
building, which in most instances is merely an object of architectural
display without any particular destination, except to afford shelter
from the rays of the sun to such of the idle as choose to avail them-
selves of it. When the bank is high, the lower part of these buildings
is solid, and when, as in this instance, it is nearly plain, it affords
a noble basement to an ornamental upper storey, with which they
are generally adorned, or to the temple which frequently crowns
them.
Though the Ganges is, par excellence, the river of ghats, one of
the most beautiful in India is that erected by Ahalya Baiee (Holkar's
273. Ghoosla Ghat, Benares. (Kroin l'rinsep's Views.)
widow) at Maheswar, on the Xerbudda ; and Ujjain and other ancient
cities almost rival Benares in this respect. Indeed, there is scarcely
a tank or stream in all India that is without its flight of steps, and
it is seldom indeed that these are left without some adornment or an
attempt at architectural display, water being always grateful in so
GHATS OR LANDING-PLACES.
485
being to afford easy access to bathers, the flight of steps in front is
in reality the t/hdt, and the main object of the erection. These are
generally broken, as in this instance, by small projections, often
crowned by kiosks, which take off the monotony inherent in long
lines of narrow steps. The flight of stairs is always backed by a
building, which in most instances is merely an object of architectural
display without any particular destination, except to afford shelter
from the rays of the sun to such of the idle as choose to avail them-
selves of it. When the bank is high, the lower part of these buildings
is solid, and when, as in this instance, it is nearly plain, it affords
a noble basement to an ornamental upper storey, with which they
are generally adorned, or to the temple which frequently crowns
them.
Though the Ganges is, par excellence, the river of ghats, one of
the most beautiful in India is that erected by Ahalya Baiee (Holkar's
273. Ghoosla Ghat, Benares. (Kroin l'rinsep's Views.)
widow) at Maheswar, on the Xerbudda ; and Ujjain and other ancient
cities almost rival Benares in this respect. Indeed, there is scarcely
a tank or stream in all India that is without its flight of steps, and
it is seldom indeed that these are left without some adornment or an
attempt at architectural display, water being always grateful in so