In Varanasi, places have been changed for the last rites at Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghat, the traditional ghats of Mokshadayini Maa Ganga cremation. The reason for this is the rising water level of the Ganges.

The cremation platform of these ghats has been completely submerged. Because of this, problems are being faced regarding the funeral. At Harishchandra Ghat, the last rites are being performed on the stairs, while at Manikarnika Ghat, the cremation work is being done on a high platform. Due to this the work of cremation is also getting delayed. The people of the Dom Raja family say that now the water level of the Ganges will increase even more, then the problem will be more.

Kashi is known as the city of salvation because it is believed that after the death found here, the doors of salvation are opened directly. This is the reason that people come from not only Varanasi district but also from adjoining districts including Purvanchal for the process of cremation at Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat of Kashi. But due to the continuous increase in the water level of the Ganges in Varanasi, people are facing problems in the last rites. The traditional cremation sites of Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat have been submerged due to floods. Onkar Choudhary of Dom Raja family at Harishchandra Ghat said that even now it has not rained even here.

Due to the heavy rains in the hilly areas, the water level of the Ganges is increasing continuously. For this reason, at present the cremation is being done on the steps of the ghat here. In the same way, if the water level continues to rise, then from tomorrow we will have to turn towards the street. Omkar Chaudhary said that even at Manikarnika Ghat, the pucca cremation ground and the iron molds made for the pyres have been submerged.

In Varanasi on Saturday, the Ganges is flowing 4 meters below its warning point i.e. 70.262 meters at 66.02 meters. According to the Central Water Commission, today the water level of Ganga is increasing at the rate of 3 cm per hour. Due to the rising water level of Ganga, the places of daily aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Sheetla Ghat are also changing continuously. Apart from this, due to the rising water level of the Ganges, the Varuna river has also started to boil. Along with this, the people living in low-lying areas have also increased.