Sethani Ghat is the main bathing ghat on the Narmada River at Hoshangabad, a well-constructed stone staircase descending to the water that was built in the 19th century and remains in daily use. The Narmada is one of India's most sacred rivers — its waters are believed to grant moksha (liberation) to anyone who bathes in them — and the ghat draws a steady flow of pilgrims alongside local residents who come simply to wash, pray, or sit.
Dawn is the best time to visit. Priests light incense and perform morning puja (ritual offerings) as mist rises from the river and the flat plains of the opposite bank catch the early light. It's a quieter version of the famous ghats at Varanasi, without the overwhelming crowds — which for many travellers makes it more moving rather than less.