7/28/2019 WMF_2012

1/2

INTACH nominated

Balaji Ghat, Varanasi

on World Monuments Watch List 2012

The eighteenth-century Balaji Ghat, in Varanasi, India, is an important historic

landmark building constructed along the Ganges in Varanasi. It was constructed to serve

pilgrims worshiping at the holy river. Varanasi is one of the worlds oldes t continuously

inhabited cities of the world and a major Hindu pilgrimage destination. The collapse of

the main building of Balaji Ghat, few years back likely from the decay of the wood,

inadequate conservation and heritage protection was a big set back to the historic River

front of Varanasi. Considering its significance and its present condition the building has

now been declared 100 most endangered heritage sites of the world by World

Monuments Fund, a New York based organization. Inclusion in the Watch will support a

plan to restore the building for use as a cultural center and help to continue an ancient

tradition of pilgrimage and enlightenment.

Balaji Ghat is one of the 84 river front buildings developed along the bank of the

river Ganga. From the city, it is approached through a maze of narrow streets and lanes

crossing many small and big temples, shrines, gateways. The ghats also give access to

the boats on the Ganga River by a series of steps, where there are a place for sports,

exercise, meditation, socializing for the community and visitors.

The Balaji Ghat complex was originally a seven storeys building and follows a

traditional architectural form with, a Temple of Shri Balaji, garden, well, assembly hall,

living areas, courtyards etc. There are all well connected with stone staircases forming a

remarkable architecture ensemble. It was built in the combination of stone and wood.

Use of wood and elements of decorations such as exquisitely carved wooden column,

brackets, doorways and other decorative elements predominantly mark the style of

Maratha and Peshwa architecture. It is also associated with Shehnai Maestro Ustad

Bismillah Khan.

Part of the building had collapsed in 1995 and further part collapsed in 2010 making

it highly deteriorated and endangered. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural

7/28/2019 WMF_2012

2/2

Heritage (INTACH) who nominated the property to World Monuments Fund now,

proposed to carry out the management and conservation of the site. INTACH is Indias

largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to conservation and preservation

of Indias natural, cultural, living, tangible and intangible heritage. It has been working

on number of cultural built heritage sites all over India including Varanasi.

(Before restoration) (After restoration)