Dear Isheria’s Healing Circles Readers,
Welcome to Postcards from the Ganga Arti in Varanasi by Shalzmojo
A Guestpost by the lovely Shalini about a place I have just discovered!
Varanasi- the name itself invokes images of mystic sadhus, temple shrines and saffron adornments. It’s also home to the holy Ganges in the truest sense and is the ultimate haven for people who seek Moksha or Nirvana. In Hindu religion, it’s been deemed as one of the most holy and spiritual of all places.
Is it a wonder then that tourism booms here and one can see the gimmicks employed to hook tourists into spending some time in this city. One visits Benares with the notion of sampling all these fares.
Out of all the Ghats in Benares, the Dasashwamedha Ghats is the most popular as it’s the central hub for all such activity. It’s here that the famous Ganga Arti is conducted. Though not overtly religious I was lured to it by the promise of some spectacular photographs to be captured here. For the uninitiated, several places (like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Benares) perform and evening prayer ceremony on the ghat by the river Ganges to chant mantras and invoke blessings from the sacred river.
The Arti starts at about 6-630 in the evening every day ( approx around sundown) and its advised that one reaches there by 530 p.m. When I landed there, the steps on the ghat were all filled with people and I could see scores of tied boats, facing the ghat which was also slowly filling up with people. I decided to sit in one of the boats as that accorded me the view from the front. I didn’t regret my decision at all.
The front row of the ghat step is converted into a stage like arena where seven LED lit umbrellas demarcate the seven settings for seven priests to preside over the ceremony and perform it. All the priests are dressed in an identical manner every day. The entire ceremony is done with using prayer accessories like conch shells, 7 tiered lamp stand, camphor burning implement, image of the river Ganges, flowers, yak tail fan, incense, etc.
The priests take blessings from the river Ganges and pray to her by blowing on the conch shell to commence the ceremony. Next the incense sticks are lit and waved around in one hand while a large prayer bell is held in the other hand. The camphor is lit in its stand and then the priests start swinging the lamp around. The fragrant smoke emitted from it soon wafts out over the enraptured audience who can be heard chanting and clapping in rhythm to the priests.
The mantra chanting and the music continues as the priests light up the multi-tiered lamp stand. A peculiar thing about this lamp stand is that is has a hooded snake at one end which is supposed to represent the myth of Sheshnaag – a multi-headed snake which was the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, or so I heard someone mention it at the Ghats.
As the camphor smoke starts to get thicker, the priests starts waving the lit lamp in all directions – the sight of the flames through the haze is just ethereal and I couldn’t stop clicking enough. Soon the yak-tail fan is flicked around to the accompaniment of a ringing brass bell in the other hand.
I have to admit that even though I found it to be full of gimmicks; I couldn’t help being soothed by the mantra chants even as the camphor infused a feeling of peace and serenity around. The temple bells make for a pretty sound and the feeling of piousness seems to be lobbying around for joy and peace.
Have you ever had the pleasure of viewing the Ganga Arti? What do you think of this ritual?
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About Shalzmojo
An interior designer by profession, writing is a passion which coupled with travel love blossomed into this blog where I love to just “do my thing”! Be it recipes, food events, travel jaunts, fiction dreaming or even meditative musings; all of it’s taken up quite passionately on my blog. I am a serious wine guzzler and love to chase butterflies in my free time.
Read about the temple dedicated to Mother India in Benares Here
This post is written for the December bloghop#mymojo with Shalzmojo
Linking up for #wordsante with Namysaysso for every post deserves some love
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That’s very spiritual and relaxing read for me. Love the virtual visit to the true Banaras culture and World famous Ganga Arti. Wish to attend one day.
I watched the Ganga Aarti in Haridwar and is easily one of my favourite memories.Loved reading this story about Benares.
Had a great time reading…. As I am a travel blogger myself, I loved the way you have mentioned all about the Ganga Arti…
I hail from Varanasi and reading about the world famous Ganga Aarti from a third person’s view is a different experience altogether!! Well written 🙂
Never visited to Varanasi but your read gave me major travel goals. I am yet to watch Ganga aarti.
Wondrful to see so much of info captured. Pics makes me feel like I was almost there.
Had a good time reading this post, Shalz. The pics keep making me feel to get better at my own work! I didn’t know about the aarti at all and I’m glad to know about it now 🙂
Lovely post…..awesome pics
Ganga Aarati, the fabled one… how I wish I could attend one day! Shalini, thanks! You gave me the pleasure of attending it through your post.
Wishing to be there one day. Seems like it will be worth it inspite of the crowds and hustle bustle
Enchanting narration of the event shalz. I heard a lot about Ganga Arti and the beauty it has to offer. A friend of mine attended it and was left in awe by the sight of it.
PS: I felt the photo layouts were a bit small Ishieta. A bit large layout for the images would have added more beauty to the post 🙂
The Ganga Aarti is one of the most serene experiences i have ever had…. it makes your mind so calm and peaceful, inspite of all the chaos!!!
I have never been to Varanasi, but your post made me have a small tour there. I wish to visit this place soon and then experience this blissful environment too
Blogging is the new poetry. I find it wonderful and amazing in many ways.
I have heard a lot about Ganga Arti but men haven’t got a chance to attend it. I am sure the ambience must be very serene.
Have attended Ganga Arati at haridwar and still that memory is so fresh. Reading your post was quite nostalgic would love to attended the one in Varanasi.. Great post with some beautiful pictures.
I have visited Varanasi during my last India visit and attended the ganga arti. indeed it was most divine experience of my life. while reading this post, I had re called all those beautiful memories. wishing to go back again Varanasi in future too.
Vanaras and its capture are beautifully done and must tell the minutest details add charm in the post.
I have had a chance to visit the ganga Arti once in Haridwar and it was a sight to behold. I would love to visit Varanasi someday too and witness this in person:)
I have friends who have attended the Ganga Aarti and can’t talk enough about their divine experiences. Would love to experience it myself someday and see all of Varanasi.
Aha! This post is love, because the place Varanasi is love. being a pure Banarasiya I have millions of memories of Benaras Ghats and especially Ganga Arti.
Ganga Arti photographs have a divine aura . Just looking at these pics only gives a positive vibe.
I have watched this on TV and seen lots of photos, but you post make it so real for me. Amazing