Ganga Ji Ki Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi

Ganga Ji Ki Aarti in Varanasi has been performed as a cultural ritual since the time immemorial. It is a customary practice to worship and say thanks to Maa Ganga to give us life and protect us.

Long after independence and perhaps the first time in the history, the visiting prime minister of Japan performed Ganga Ji Ki Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi.

He was accompanied by our most dynamic and lovable prime minister Mr. Narendra Modi. The occasion witnessed chanting of ‘Mantra’ by Vedic Priests, who performed special divine rituals accompanied by 18 ‘Riddhi Siddhi Girls’ who recited verses of Ganga Ji Ki Aarti.

This whole occasion had left the Japanese prime minister absolutely mesmerized with the sheer piousity of the rituals when he was smeared Sandalwood Tilak on his forehead by the performing priest on the occasion.

Do you know the history behind Dashashwamedh Ghat?

Well, there are two legends associated with this spectacular ghat. One goes on to state that it was created by Lord Brahma to welcome Lord Shiva and the other points out that Lord Shiva had sacrificed ten horses during Dasa-Ashwamedha Yagna, therefore, the name came as Dashashwamedh Ghat.

The literal meaning of word Dashashwamedh means Dasha = 10, Ashwa = Horses, Medh = Sacrifice, hence sacrifice of ten horses i.e. DashAshwaMedh.

On this serene and one of the oldest mythological ghat ‘Ganga Ji Ki Aarti’ is performed by a group of priest daily at evening times. Ganga Aarati is nothing but a form of ‘Agni Pooja’ to Maa Gange.

Special aartis are also held on every Tuesdays and on religious or special occasions. This Puja and Aarti symbolizes our religious offering to the almighty Lord Shiva, Maa Ganga, Surya Devta and Agni Mata.

The collective chants by thousands of pilgrims and priests fulfill divine energy in the area and the complete place becomes surcharged with heavenly purity.

To learn about the divine majesty of Mother Ganga watch the video From Hollywood to Holy Woods.

Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi is one of the most spectacular presentation which has not only the religious ritual behind the whole performance but has been one of the most adored events for the visiting tourists.

Ganga Ji Ki Aarti is performed after the sunset and almost lasts for 45 minutes of chanting Mantras and singing verses.

All the priests who perform the Ganga Ji Ki Aarti wear the same type of clothing and hold in their hands a big and heavy brass lamp with snake hood at the edge.

After chanting of the Aarti gets completed, there are ceremonies to offer flowers to the goddess Ganga followed by the offerings of Milk.

This practice is religiously followed by the devotees, which consists of not only the Indian folks but also the followers of the other faiths to join the occasion, to pray to Maa Ganga and Lord Shiva to get their wishes fulfilled.

The majestic blend with spiritual overtones, the Ganga Ji Ki Aarti spellbind the audience and take them to a trance of divinity in the whole process.

Varanasi as the name is known for as one of the oldest historical places on the face of the earth has been rightly quoted by the famous historian Mark Twain “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”.

Har Har Mahadev, Jai Maa Gange …. !!!