In Hinduism, many bodies of water (most notably the River Ganga) are considered holy. A ghat is a broad flight of stone steps leading down to the shore of such a body. Ghats are the sites of important Hindu rituals, such as bathing or cremation. They are individually named and most have rich theological or historical associations. In the city of Varanasi, for example, the Tulsi Ghat is named for the poet Tulsidas (C.E. 1547-1623), while the Asi Ghat, located where the rivers Asi and Ganga meet, is associated with the festival of Surya Shashthhi.
cf. Ghat Ghaut