The Famous Aarti Ceremony – An Evening at the Ganges River

Varanasi Trip Overview

The Ganga Aarti at Varanasi is an uplifting spiritual ritual. The Aarti ceremony takes place near the Ganges River.  While facing the river, the Hindu priests use lamps which are circled around in a clockwise manner, accompanied by chants or songs in praise of Mother Ganga. It is believed that after the ritual is complete, the Goddess showers her blessing onto each individual present there.

Highlights
•    Aarti Ritual At the Ganges River
•    Rickshaw Ride  
•    Walk Through the Ghats
•    River glowing with floating lamps

Additional Info

Duration: 2 hours 18 minutes
Starts: Varanasi, India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours



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What to Expect When Visiting Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

The Ganga Aarti at Varanasi is an uplifting spiritual ritual. The Aarti ceremony takes place near the Ganges River.  While facing the river, the Hindu priests use lamps which are circled around in a clockwise manner, accompanied by chants or songs in praise of Mother Ganga. It is believed that after the ritual is complete, the Goddess showers her blessing onto each individual present there.

Highlights
•    Aarti Ritual At the Ganges River
•    Rickshaw Ride  
•    Walk Through the Ghats
•    River glowing with floating lamps
Stop At: Dashashwamedh Ghat Rd, Ghats of Varanasi, Godowlia, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India

Meet your driver at your hotel in Varanasi and drive to Dasawamedha Ghat (Ghat is a flight of steps leading down to the river). It is located close to the Vishwanath Temple and it is most spectacular. 
You will witness the traditional Aarti ceremony that is performed every evening at dusk. Hundreds of pilgrims, photographers, and tourists watch the magnificence of the Aarti ceremony as it unfolds.  Lamps are lit, fragrant smoke rises from incense sticks, and the chants of mantras can be heard.  Fire is offered to Lord Shiva and the Ganges River. As the Aarti comes to an end, the priests offer flowers, milk, and floating lamps to the Ganges. Pilgrims follow and soon the whole of the river is filled with lit lamps and aromatic flowers. The experience wonderfully highlights local culture and religion in an effort by the participants to find peace.

At the end of the ceremony, your guide will take you back to your hotel in Varanasi.

Duration: 2 hours



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