What is the best ghat for morning photography in Varanasi?

For photography, Dashashwamedh Ghat during the evening Aarti and Assi Ghat at sunrise are the most frequently cited. However, the most atmospheric morning photography — the mist-over-water shots that define Varanasi’s visual identity — is best captured from a boat on the river rather than from the ghat itself. Hire a small wooden rowboat from Assi Ghat before sunrise and drift northward as the light changes: the ghats seen from the water between 5:30–7:00 AM are extraordinary. Seek permission before photographing any individual during prayers or rituals.