Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is a world famous spiritual solace to seek divinity along Ghats of Varanasi which turns heavenly in evening.
Ganga Aarti in Varanasi would remind you of the ancient Vedic Rituals of fire and water. Ganga Aarti is a form of commitment to preserve nature by personification of River Ganges in Goddess . An offering to various prominent gods is made in Ganga Aarti with Rigvedic Chants. On Special occasions special type of Aarti is performed. This ritualistic performance makes you spiritual and transfers your mind to divine world.
What is timing of Ganga Aarti in Varanasi?
Time for Evening Ganga Arti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Mostly Ganga Aarti is performed after sunset so the timing may alter with seasons about 30 to 45 min.
- Winter – 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (approx.)
- Summer– 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (approx.)
How to reach Dashashwamedh Ghat for Ganga Arti Ceremony?
You can reach Dashashwamedh Ghat through Godowlia Market from different parts of Varanasi. You can hire a private cab if you want to reach here from hotel/residence in Varanasi.
How Ganga Aarti is performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat?
Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is matchless in itself. Priests sing hymns in a rhythmic manner that is rare in other parts of India. Their knowledge of Rigvedic Traditions and experience brings a unique fervour in Aarti performance. An announcement is done to address people that Aarti has begun. Aarti is performed by blowing conch shell and chanting mantras and moving lamps in clockwise direction.
Aarti is ritualistic process in which lamps of brass or some other metals which are generally multi-tiered are lighted with ghee and thick wicks. Hymns are chanted and some devotional chants are sung. Huge crowd gathers to see this mesmerizing performance on the banks of River Ganges. Priests perform the Aarti. These priests prepare Aarti Materials like incense, ghee, wick, brass lamp, and Conch shell etc much before the time of performance of Aarti.
At the end and start of Aarti Conch Shell is blown . This Aarti is performed by students of Vedas and Upanishads who are led by head priest of Gangotri Sewa Samiti.
Clothes worn by priests during Ganga Aarti in Varanasi
Traditional Indian clothes especially Dhoti Kurta or Simply Dhoti with light weight plane cloth on shoulders is worn by the priests while performing Ganga Arti.
Is it good to watch Ganga Arti on Boat?
Though Ganga Aarti at ghats of Varanasi is a great attraction in itself, you can feel a different fervor of Ganga Arti on Boat. It gives overview of all ghats when boat row from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Assi Ghat. So, tourists and visitors opt for a boat-ride which takes you to other bank of river Ganges or into the waters giving you opportunity to watch Aarti and other cultural activities from different point of view.
These moments captured in a camera become a memory for ever. So, you can also look for Photography Opportunities.