The Manikarnika Ghat story traces back to Hindu mythology, where it is believed that Goddess Parvati's earring (mani) fell into a pond here while she and Lord Shiva were bathing nearby. Lord Shiva then dug a well, the Manikarnika Kund, blessing the site with divine sanctity. Another legend says Lord Vishnu meditated here in a standing pose for 500,000 years; a sacred footprint believed to be his is still preserved at the site.