Evening Ganga Arti

One of the biggest events in Varanasi is the evening Ganga Arti. It's a flame ceremony honoring the Ganges every night at 6pm. The time may change as the days grow longer. It's 6pm now. It is a spectacular ceremony that draws quite a crowd!

There is a festival atmosphere, with vendors walking around selling trinkets. There are toys for the children.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_8c0d3dbb047246b49060b9da34053eaf/360p/mp4/file.mp4

People come by land and by boat

All to honor Ma Ganga, represented in this murti (sacred statue).

I had different seats each night. On the night I took the picture above, I was front and center. So lucky! Another night, I watched from a boat. We got there early to get front row seats.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_bb258984e0e54d21b73045377ba069a3/360p/mp4/file.mp4

The ceremony begins with some chants. Clapping is expected!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_324d7487c230421f8a1a5aa1a4633d39/360p/mp4/file.mp4

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_985d3677d9614c95b7ec0c227e72f008/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Then the conch is blown

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_1f263ee8263c429aac66e410bb7cdbd0/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Incense is waved

Dhoop is waved - it is similar to incense

Then they begin with the flames. I was fortunate to sit in a spot one night (front and center) where I got to help light the flames.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_ce88c07a823e4ad896b48e944ed3cdb0/360p/mp4/file.mp4

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_ceb7ee29f5ae4bd3bd255f378b33b768/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Then the big flame. I can only imagine the strong arm muscles required for this!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_198acfa7d3e94b31afbdd99141c37996/360p/mp4/file.mp4

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_7f434a78efb24118965aafffed41a330/360p/mp4/file.mp4

The ceremony ends with flower petal offerings - I've heard the Ganeshpuri priests call this a flower shower. I love a flower shower!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_963739840f9345baba48026a878bf38f/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Then they do devotional waving the fabric that held the flower petals and then peacock feathers.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0af9c_bd794b9ce66e497997043c3b05ac8fef/360p/mp4/file.mp4

This whole ceremony is done every evening to honor the Ganges. It is breathtaking.