In Hinduism, Kashi is mentioned as one of the Sapta Puri and according to Skanda Purana, Kashi is the most important city in Sapta Puri. All Saptapuri cities worship the river in one form or the other on a daily basis, but the Ganga Aarti performed in Varanasi is one of the most spectacular performances in the entire world.
Today we all know Varanasi, the city of Shiva, as the spiritual capital of India. Along with this, Varanasi is known to the country and abroad for its Ganga Aarti. Every day thousands of local and foreign citizens come to the Dashashwamedh Ghat of Varanasi to see the Ganga Aarti. Aarti is done daily at sunset time.
Varanasi Ghat Ganga Aarti is popular all over the country.
According to Hindu mythology, Ganga is the most sacred river and it is believed that if any person takes a dip in the river Ganga once with true devotion, then all his sins are washed away and generally people visit Varanasi Ganga Snan and Kashi Vishwanath Darshan. You can see devotees taking a dip in the Ganges at almost all the ghats of Varanasi, but during this journey, all the devotees definitely go to see the Ganga Aarti because this Aarti gives new energy to the life of the devotee.
Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is held daily at Dashashwamedh Ghat, which is the most important ghat of Varanasi this ghat is located near Kashi Vishwanath Temple, every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat, at sunset, the priests of Varanasi perform the very beautiful and elaborate aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Devotees can easily watch the Aarti being performed at the Ghat from Assi Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat.
At the Dashashwamedh Ghat, one moment there is hustle and bustle to find the right place to watch the aarti, and the next the whole city falls silent when a conch (conch) is blown. The conch shell indicates that the aarti is starting and it attracts everyone's attention. Since the Ganga Aarti of Banaras is for the river Ganges, an idol of Goddess Ganga is placed in the center on one of the many elevated platforms. Aarti is performed with the sound of bells and chants and the lighting of incense sticks and lamps.
The priests worship the river Ganga during Ganga Aarti in such a way that it becomes a mesmerizing sight. Priests have been performing Ganga Aarti in front of thousands of people for years, practice and unwavering devotion make them perfect in their work. Though it sounds indecisively risky, it is practically impossible to perform aarti for 45 minutes with several huge lamps and to close your eyes even for a second during Ganga Aarti.
This is the reason why Varanasi Ghat Ganga Aarti is popular all over the country. When you come to Varanasi, it is such an experience that a person who is a follower of any religion, be it Jain, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Parsi, or Christian but Ganga Aarti is celebrated by people of every religion, every caste. She fascinates him and fills his body with such energy that he can never forget in his whole life.
Ganga Aarti Timing in Varanasi
Ganga Aarti takes place in the evening in Varanasi, the city of Shiva. The timing of Ganga Aarti is fixed for after sunset. In summer, it is around 7 PM, and during winter around 6 PM. By the way, Ganga Aarti is performed twice a day where the morning Aarti is performed at Assi Ghat and the popular evening Ganga Aarti is performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
The Ganga Aarti performed at Assi Ghat is very early in the morning, its time is before sunrise around 5 in the morning and due to more early morning at this time, the number of people who see the morning Ganga Aarti is usually compared to the evening Ganga Aarti. But it does not mean at all that the morning Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat is not beautiful, in fact, the morning Aarti at Assi Ghat is equally beautiful. Here, not only Ganga Maiya is worshipped, but you also enjoy some Vedic mantras, ragas, and yoga. The morning Ganga Aarti timings are from 5 am to 7 am in summer and 5:30 am to 7:30 am in winter.
The Morning Aarti is called Subah-e-Banaras.
The morning aarti is called Subah-e-Banaras and is considered the ideal way to start the morning in Varanasi. It was an initiative of the state government of Uttar Pradesh which started in 2014.
It begins with Vedic verses and is followed by Ganga Aarti. Homage is also paid during the aarti to the four basic elements that comprise everything in this universe: earth, water, sky, and fire.
The aarti performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening is the same as the aarti performed at Assi Ghat in the morning. After the Aarti, the classical musicians of Banaras Gharana with their classical music and ragas create a different energy flow in the whole of Varanasi along with all the people who came to see the Ganga Aarti. Everyone in the Banaras Gharana specializes in the craft of music or dance. The Banaras Gharana was founded 200 years ago by Pandit Ram Sahai. It is one of the six common styles of tabla playing. Pandit Ram Sahai himself was trained in the Lucknow Gharana.
Tips for Visiting Varanasi and Watching Ganga Aarti
Of all the spiritual places in Varanasi, you must visit Dashashwamedh Ghat for Ganga Aarti and Assi Ghat for Subah-e-Banaras (Ganga Aarti).
Both these aartis are free, however, you will be asked to make an offering for the evening aarti. However, this is not mandatory. You can also offer whatever amount you can afford.
Reach the ghat at least one hour before for evening aarti, as there is a huge crowd to watch the evening aarti and if you reach late it will be difficult to get a good seat, so it is better to watch the evening aarti. You must arrive at least an hour in advance to find the best spot for yourself.
There is no rush for morning aarti. But it is recommended that you experience Subah-e-Banaras to the fullest. In such a situation, it is better to go to bed early so that you can wake up fresh and join the Suba-e-Banaras the very next day.
