VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Ganga Aarti /கங்கா ஆர்த்தி, and Varanashi Ghats, Varanashi, Uttar Pradesh.

Sunday, 30 March 2025

Ganga Aarti /கங்கா ஆர்த்தி, and Varanashi Ghats, Varanashi, Uttar Pradesh.

ॐ ஜெய கங்கே மாதா,

ஸ்ரீ ஜெய கங்கே மாதா.
ஜோ நர் துமகோ த்யாதா,
மனவாஞ்சித் ஃபல் பாதா ॥

சந்திர சி ஜோத் தும்ஹாரி,
ஜல் நிர்மல் ஆதா.
சரண படேம் ஜோ தேரி,
ஸோ நர தர் ஜாதா ॥
॥ ॐ ஜெய கங்கே மாதா..॥

Dashashwamedh Ghat

The visit to Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, was a part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Tour, between 05^th February and 08^th February 2025, organized by Mantra Yatra (website). Thanks to Mr. Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent arrangement and personal care. Before proceeding to Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, we had the darshan of Ganga Aarati from the boat. Originally, it was planned for the darshan of Shri Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi, after the Kumbh Mela snan. It was a little disappointing not to have the darshan of Shri Kashi Vishwanath due to the heavy rush, but I was mentally satisfied with the darshan of Ganga Aarati. Hope we will make another trip after the Kumbh Mela. Went to the Buddhist site at Sarnath, one of the UNESCO monuments (Sites on the Tentative List 1998) before departing for Chennai.

The Ganga River is considered to it will cleanse our souls. Hence, as a mark of honor, the aarti is a daily ritual performed by the Seven Pandits in a synchronized manner. The seven Pandits dress uniformly with saffron shirts and white dhoti and prepare the materials required before starting the rituals. The rituals start after the sunset, performed after singing a song praising Ganga, followed by the incense stick dhoop, blowing of shankha, benzoin (an aromatic resin) dhoop, and finally with Camphor deep. The dhoop and deep stands are made of brass. The camphor deep is a seven-step pyramid lit simultaneously. Flowers are also offered to Ganga with a unique gesture by the Pandits. The Ganga aarti is a visual and spiritual, spectacular event, which is witnessed by thousands of devotees from the river banks and on the boats. Some devotees also lit earthen lamps surrounded by the flowers and made them float on the river. This ritual showcases a harmonious blend of fire, water, and air elements, engulfed in devotion. Ganga Aarti is performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, and two other ghats, too, during Evening hours.

Namo Ghat

Raj Ghat

Approximately 84 Ghats start from Raj Ghat for the Ganga snan and do rituals. But some of them are extinct now. These ghats are constructed by the Mutts and Kings. Some of the important Ghats are Scindhia Ghat, Assi Ghat, Darbhanga Ghat, Dasaswamedh Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Bhonsale Ghat, Chet Singh Ghat, and Manikarnika Ghat. The details of the Ghats will be written separately.