15 super spiritual Ganga Aarti Facts in Rishkesh

Ganga Aarti is a religious ritual performed on the banks of the holy river Ganges in India. It is a ceremony that pays homage to the sacred river and is a significant part of Hindu culture and tradition.

The Aarti takes place at various ghats (steps) along the river, with the most famous one being the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi. The ceremony is conducted in the evening, just after sunset.

Religious

During the Aarti, priests dressed in traditional attire perform elaborate rituals with a lot of pomp and show. They light oil lamps and make rhythmic movements with them, accompanied by chanting of mantras and devotional songs. A large crowd gathers to witness the ceremony and offer their prayers to the river. Devotees also float small oil lamps, along with flowers and incense sticks, in the river as a symbolic offering.

The Aarti is believed to purify the surroundings and bring blessings to those who participate. It is also seen as a way to express gratitude and seek forgiveness from Mother Ganges for any wrongdoings.

Significance

Apart from its religious significance, the Aarti has also become a major tourist attraction. People from all over the world come to witness this magnificent spectacle and experience the spiritual aura of the river.

Overall, the Ganga Aarti is a beautiful and sacred ritual that showcases the devotion and reverence towards the holy river Ganges. It is a symbol of faith, tradition, and cultural heritage in India.

Facts about Ganga aarti

1. The Ganga Aarti happens every evening on the banks of the Ganges River.

2. The Ganga Aarti is a form of thanksgiving ritual to Goddess Maa Ganga by her followers and devotees.

3. People offer a small Diya with a candle, flowers and fruits in a leaf cup and floated down in the River after the Aarti ceremony.

4. The Aarti takes on special significance on the auspicious occasion of Ganga Dussehra (in May or June each year), when Maa Ganga is believed to have descended from heaven to earth.

5. During the Aarti priests chant slokas and bhajans or religious songs at River Ganga.

6. It is believed that the ‘daughter of heave’ known as Ganga descended down to earth from heaven and changed into a river in order to wash the sins of predecessors of King Bhagirath.

7. The specific place from where the river originates is known as ‘Gangotri’. 

8. Generally, the Aarti happens in every city which are situated at the banks of Ganges River.

9. Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi are the famous city ghats where the Aarti ceremony is very different in each of these places.

10. The Ghat Dashaswamedh, near Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Har-ki-Pauri Ghat in Haridwar and Param Niketan Ashram Ghat in Rishikesh are most well famous for Ganga Aarti in all over world.

11. The Aarti begins after sunset and lasts for around 45 minutes. Due to the later sunsets in the summer, the Aarti starts at 7 o’clock, whereas in the winter it begins at about 6 o’clock.

12. Ganga Aarti ceremony begins with the blowing of a conch shell, which is believed to eliminate all negative energy and heighten your senses.

13. The Aarti is carried out facing the river. The lamps are lit and circled around by the Pandits (Hindu priests) in a clockwise manner. The idea is that the lamps acquire the power of the deity.

14. After the ritual is complete, devotees will cup their hands over the flame and raise their palms to their forehead in order to get the goddess’s purification and blessing.

15. River Ganga isn’t just a river in India, it’s Divine Mother. The water of River also removes sins once you take a dip in its water.

Text by Ashutosh Kumar