Ganga Aarti in Varanasi - A Sublime Spiritual Experience

Whenever I think of Varanasi, the visuals of Ganga Aarti are the first that come to my mind. The ghats of Varanasi intertwined in Ma Ganga’s arms, are the perfect platforms from where the holy river Ganga is revered and worshipped. The Ganga Aarti in Varanasi offers a sublime spiritual experience that makes us surrender ourselves in the symphony of conch shells, fervent chanting of mantras, and energetic clanging of brass cymbals.

Experiencing the Ganga Aarti on the holy ghats of Varanasi was always on my bucket list, so when I had the opportunity to visit Varanasi on an extended weekend off from work, I lapped it up gladly. After having lived through the experience on two consecutive days, I can gladly say that this is indeed an experience of a lifetime. I would urge you, my readers, to plan a visit to Varanasi and experience this aesthetic spiritual fervor in its entirety.

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Ganga Aarti Varanasi – Location & Timings

Varanasi is dotted with ghats, which are a set of steps that are built on the banks of river Ganga. These ghats are used by people to reach the river where they can pray, bathe, climb onto boats, or even set afloat offerings. There are a total of 84 ghats in Varanasi but the Ganga Aarti takes place in Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat.

For the longest time, Ganga Aarti took place only in the evenings. So, when we talk of Ganga Aarti, we are usually referring to the evening Aarti that takes place primarily in Dashashwamedh Ghat. There is a morning aarti that is called Subah-e-Banares that takes place in Assi Ghat, which lies towards the southern end of Varanasi.

The evening Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is performed daily at dusk, that is 7 pm during summers and 6 pm during winters since the sun sets early. This goes on for about 45 minutes, well past dusk. The Subah-e-Banaras takes place in Assi ghat. It starts at dawn and continues well past daybreak. The morning Ganga Aarti timings are 5 am to 7 am in the summer and 5.30 am to 7.30 am in winter.

Ganga Aarti in Varanasi – The Experience

The Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is an orchestrated and highly synchronous ritual, and watching it is an experience that you simply cannot miss irrespective of your religion. In fact, loads of people simply visit Varanasi only to experience this aarti. The evening aarti is more crowded and popular but that doesn’t mean that the subah-e-banaras is any less spectacular.

People start thronging to the Dashashwamedh ghat at least 2 hours before the actual aarti timings in the hope of getting a closer seat for the best views. In the evening, if you happen to be in the streets of Varanasi you will see the stream of people laughing, and frolicking their way toward the Dashashwamedh ghat. The preparations of the aarti begin about half an hour before the actual time by the priests. You also have large screens installed at the ghat (this was done fairly recently) where people can catch all the action irrespective of their seats.

The aarti begins with the blowing of the conch, and this is when all the cacophony suddenly stops and people wait with rapt attention for the ritual to begin. The statue of Goddess Ganga is placed at the center of one of the raised platforms. Huge multilayered diyas are lit and carried by priests, incense sticks are lit, brass cymbals are clanged and mantras are recited with utmost devotion and spiritual fervor. The entire process is so synchronous that it is difficult not to feel one with the energy during the entire duration of the aarti. The aarti goes on for 45 mins.

The Subah-e-Banaras on the other hand, is far less crowded. Here, Vedic mantras are chanted, ragas and hymns are also sung. some of the Gharanas of Banaras come and perform alongside in this morning ritual that lasts almost 2 hours. Its is said that the best way to spend the morning in Varanasi is to expend it in watching the Subah-e-Banaras.

You can watch the Ganga Aarti on this link.

Few Tips

The evening aarti in Dashashwamedh Ghat is very crowded. so please arrive at least an hour before to get a better view. A pro tip is to hire a boat that will take you across and park it midway in the river, exactly opposite the pedestal where the Ganga aarti takes place. This will give you amazing views and additionally enhance the experience as you will experience Ma Ganga being venerated sitting in her lap in a boat.
Since the aartis are super crowded, please take care of your personal belongings, phone, and wallets. Pickpocketing is a menace here!
It is easier to get better views of morning aarti due to fewer crowds. Since it is very early in the morning, please plan accordingly like eating early and sleeping early to rise in time.
Varanasi is a city that is very hot and there is no shade in Assi or Dashashwamedh ghat so please hydrate and carry scarfs, dupattas, or caps to cover your heads.

FAQs

Q. What is the cost of Ganga Aarti in Varanasi? What is the entry fee for Ganga Aarti?

A. Watching the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, be it in the morning or evening is free. There is no cost, no entry fee or charges. You can be asked for offerings for which there is no minimum amount. It depends on your wishes.

Q. Is there any ticket for Ganga Aarti?

A. No, there is no entry fee or tickets required for watching the aarti.

Q. At what time is Ganga Aarti done in Varanasi?

A. The evening Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is performed daily at dusk, that is 7 pm during summers and 6 pm during winters since the sun sets early. This goes on for about 45 minutes, well past dusk. The Subah-e-Banaras takes place in Assi ghat. It starts at dawn and continues well past daybreak. The morning Ganga Aarti timings are 5 am to 7 am in the summer and 5.30 am to 7.30 am in winter.

Q. Which Ghat is very famous for Ganga aarti?

A. Dashwashwamedh Ghat, followed by Assi Ghat.

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