EVENING AARTI CEREMONY
River Ganga is considered as the demigod which runs through heaven. This sacred river is said to wash out all the sins of the livings and dead. Ganga Aarti is a devotional ritual to thank and praise the river. Ganga Aarti is performed daily in the evening by the group of priests at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. The view of the Ghat in the evening during the Aarti is so spectacular and serene. This ancient tradition is very famous among tourists.
The saints wearing the orange Kurta, stole over their shoulder, and silk dhotis with the golden border – all of the saints are color-coordinated conduct the ceremony. This whole event takes around 45 minutes. Ganga Aarti in Varanasi conducted while facing the holy river. The group of saints utter holy hymns from the Vedas and Upanishads. The priests waved the multi-tiered brass lamps in a synched motion. Conch shells are blown during the ceremony. The fragrance sticks, oil lamps, and camphor are burnt following the centuries-old traditions. The sound of the chants, the fragrance of the camphor and other things fill the surroundings with the spirituality and tranquility. After the Aarti people also let go of the small oil lamps decorated with the flowers on a leaf to float on the river. The Ganga Aarti can be enjoyed from the river for which one need to hire the boat.
