Ganga Aarti Ceremony in Varanasi
by Indiator
Kashi/ Banaras/ Varanasi – no matter how many names you give to this place, but this city will always remain to be the oldest and the spiritual city.
Varanasi is globally popular for its oldest history & tradition, The great cremation ground, and the flamboyant Ganga Aarti.
People from all over the globe come to visit Varanasi for several reasons – some come here to explore the more than 5000 years old history, some come to visit the 84 magical ghats, some come to see the cremation rituals, some visit the temples, and some come to see the grand Ganga Aarti Ceremony.
Place & Time of Ganga Aarti
But, the most amazing thing which you can’t afford to miss in Varanasi is the Ganga Aarti of Varanasi one of the must experiencing activities.
Ganga Aarti ceremony starts at 6:45 pm (in summer) and 5:45 pm (in winter), every day held at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Thousands of people come every day to see this magnificent ceremony.
Ganga Aarti of Varanasi is held at the main ghat of Varanasi called Dashashwamedh Ghat located near the beautiful and influential Vishwanath temple.
According to the Hindu Mythology, Lord Brahma created this ghat to welcome Lord Shiva and the other dominant thing about the ghat is Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during the Ashwamedha yajna because of which the ghat got its name Dashashwamedh Ghat.
What will you see during the Ganga Aarti of Varanasi?
Ganga Aarti is the glorious and splendid event made in the devotion of Lord Shiva, Mata Ganga, Agni Dev (Fire), and the entire universe.
This magnificent Aarti is performed on a wooden platform or a stage placed on the edge of the steps of the ghat, facing the river Ganga by a group of young priests.
There are seven platforms covered with saffron colour cloth. Each platform has a small table, a conch shell, praying bells, handkerchiefs, incense sticks, flowers, water pot, yak-tail fan, a large brass lamp with snake hood, a peacock’s feather, etc.
Then, seven priests come to perform the Aarti wear the same type of cream color clothes, i.e. dhoti, Kurta, and a scarf on their shoulders.
The ceremony starts with the loud sound of a conch shell, waving incense sticks and praying bells with the chanting of hymns. After that, the scent of sandalwood profoundly permeates the air.
The five-tier lamps are lit by the priests and circled into a clockwise direction facing the river Ganga and at the end of the Aarti priests offer marigold and rose petals to the river Gange with waving of a peacock’s feather.
Some special Aarti is held on Kartik Purnima, special occasions, festivals and on every Tuesday. It’s an advice to reach to the Dasawamedha Ghat early at around 5:00 pm to get a good view of the Aarti ceremony. Mostly devotees floated down the small lit Diya surrounded by flowers into the river Gange to offering their prayers.
Apart, from the Ganga Aarti ceremony, Varanasi also offers numerous other places to visit like Kashi Vishwanath temple, Bharat Kala Bhavan, Banaras Hindu University, Assi Ghat, Ramnagar Fort, Manikarnika Ghat, and Sarnath.
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