Gandhi Ghat, Patna: history, Ganga Aarti timings, how to reach, and everything to plan a visit to one of Bihar’s most important riverfronts — including why it becomes the heart of Chhath Puja every year.
Along the banks of the Ganges in Patna, Gandhi Ghat is the city’s best-developed and most visited riverfront — named for Mahatma Gandhi, whose ashes were immersed here. Through most of the year it’s a pleasant evening spot for a riverside walk and aarti; during Chhath Puja, it transforms into the epicentre of one of Bihar’s biggest festivals, as hundreds of thousands gather on its steps to offer arghya to the setting and rising sun. Here’s what to know before visiting.
History and significance
Gandhi Ghat takes its name from its role in modern Indian history — it is where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in the Ganges following his death. Over time it has become the most developed and tourist-friendly of Patna’s many ghats, with paved steps, gardens, and a boat jetty giving access to the river island of Ganga Diara. It is also the site of a regular Ganga Aarti, organised by the Bihar government along the lines of the well-known aartis at Haridwar and Varanasi.
Ganga Aarti timings
The ghat itself is open through the day with no entry fee. The organised Ganga Aarti runs on a fixed weekly schedule rather than daily — confirm the current schedule locally before planning your visit around it, and expect this to change entirely during Chhath Puja week.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Ghat access | Open through the day, no entry fee |
| Ganga Aarti | Held on Saturdays and Sundays in the evening, organised by the Bihar government |
| Best time to visit | Late afternoon into evening, for the sunset and aarti |
Chhath Puja at Gandhi Ghat
Chhath Puja is Bihar’s defining festival, built entirely around worship of the sun god at riverbanks and ponds, and Gandhi Ghat is one of Patna’s largest gathering points for it. Devotees stand waist-deep in the Ganges at sunset and again at sunrise the following day to offer arghya, and the approach roads, steps, and the river itself fill with people for the full four days of the festival. If you’re visiting for Chhath, expect very heavy crowds, restricted vehicle access near the ghat, and a genuinely moving atmosphere at both the sunset and sunrise offerings.
How to reach Gandhi Ghat
- By air – Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport (PAT) is about 12 km away, roughly 30 minutes by taxi or auto-rickshaw.
- By rail – Patna Junction is about 6 km away, roughly 15 minutes by taxi or auto-rickshaw.
- By road – The ghat is on Ashok Rajpath / NH 30, with parking available nearby — though expect road closures and diversions during Chhath Puja.
Map location
Where to stay near Gandhi Ghat
Patna has hotels across every budget, from simple lodges near the old city to full-service hotels closer to the airport and station. Book well ahead if you’re visiting during Chhath Puja week.
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