Ganga aarti of varanasi

The Ganga aarti of Varanasi is a shining beacon of devotion and bliss that makes us experience the divinity in and around us. Since ages, no day has gone by when the holy Ganga River has not been adored. It is one of the must-see activities included in every traveller’s itinerary, and people from all walks of life visit the city with the desire of beholding the Ganga aarti.

Prepping up for the aarti

Photo by:  Yusuke Kawasaki, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

The priests in-charge of performing the aarti sport dhoti and kurta well-tied with a long gamcha (or towel). They prepare the set-up by gathering five elevated planks, a layered brass lamp, idol of Ganga Devi, flowers, incense sticks, conch shell and other ritual paraphernalia. Eager devotees throng the site from across the city to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle; many others take a boat ride from the opposite banks of Ganga River and get the boat parked on the banks of Dashashwamedh ghat. Only the learned pundits of Vedas and Upanishads are involved in performing the aarti, and they are headed by the priest of Gangotri Seva Samiti.

How it is performed?

Photo by:  Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

It is an organised activity that begins by lighting up the multi-tiered ceremonial brass lamps and a well-synchronised and rhythmic chanting of the holy mantras. While, some of the priests blow the conch shells to sanctify the atmosphere, other priests begin waving the incense sticks to worship Mother Ganga.

Photo by:  Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Once the preliminary mantras are over, the priests perform aarti with the brass lamps with camphor. Once the goose bump-inducing aarti is over, there is more of Sattva or purity in the air.

Photo by:  Archimedix, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Ganga aarti timings
Once the time for wonderful event arrives, getting a place to watch it could turn out to be an overwhelming reality. So, the way out is to plan in advance.
The aarti takes place daily at 6:30 PM post sundown in summer and 7:00 PM in winters for about 45 minutes. The venue is Dashashwamedh ghat, one of the holiest of all ghats in Varanasi. An announcement at 7:00 PM takes place to inform the attendees about the commencement of aarti.

Photo by:  Pooja Arya, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Attendees can see the aarti either by sitting on the stairs of the ghat, the boats or the canopy of Ganga Sewa Nidhi office. For the sake of convenience and securing a good place, it is better to reach the venue at least an hour in advance.