Benaras's mesmerizing spectacle 'Ganga Aarti': Soon to be UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World!

Highlights: Ganga Aarti is more than a religious ritual, deeply rooted in India’s culture and heritage Varanasi attracted as many as 64.90 crore tourists from around the world in 2024, with people thronging to witness the synchronized Aarti on the Ganga ghats.  The history of the Ganga Aarti, know the place, timings, schedules, and other performances. How to reach 

A captivating and mesmerizing spectacle that breathes upon the onset of dawn and at dusk with the setting sun on the banks of the Ganges on Varanasi Ghats: The Ganga Aarti. The rhythmic chants symbolizing pure devotion and gratitude, with synchronized movements of performers, visuals of countless lamps showcasing the blend of air, water and fire, altogether creating an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

Ganga Aarti: More than a religious ritual

The Ganga Aarti is deeply rooted in India’s rich culture and heritage, not only in the city of Benaras alone. Located in one of the holiest cities of India, Benaras’s Ganga Aarti is an otherworldly experience. Now, the ritual of honoring Ganga might be recognized and officially declared by UNESCO as the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ after Garba, Durga Puja, and others [1] [2]. It celebrates the historical, cultural, and religious significance of the age-old tradition of Ganga Aarti, which continues to draw a massive footfall from around the world. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Varanasi attracted as many as 64.90 crore tourists in 2024. 

The Ganga Aarti builds communal ties, establishes religious devotion, and further escalates cultural tourism, at the same time providing economic sustainability to nearby locales. It is more than a spiritual practice, profoundly impacting people’s social and spiritual lives, fostering connections, and strengthening communities [3].

The history

The Ganga Aarti at Kashi is mentioned in the holy scripture, Skanda Purana. As per legends, it is said that Lord Brahma had performed a Yagna (fire sacrifice) at the Dashashwamedh ghat to bring back Lord Shiva from exile. Ever since then, Ganga Aarti began to be organized on the ghats of Benaras. It is however not known that in what format was the Aarti held back in ancient times. The present one dates to 1991, and continues to be the same. 

About the Ganga Aarti Where is the Ganga Arti held? The synchronized performance Timings and schedules Other performances on the Ghats Aerial view of the Ganga in Varanasi (Image source: PTI) Where is the Ganga Aarti held in Benaras?

In Benaras, the Ganga Aarti is primarily performed at the Dashashwamedh Ghat near the Kashi Vishwanath temple, where the devotees can have the most divine experience. The ghat is linked to Lord Brahma in the ancient scriptures [4]. It is easily accessible from major parts of the city and offers a direct view of the flowing river. The other ghats to watch out for are Assi Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat.

The synchronized performance

I realised that everything was chaotic, all crowded, and noisy, but when there is the Shankhnaad (blowing of the conch), everything falls silent. After this, the Aarti is carried on with the lighting of lamps, incense sticks, flower offerings, and the sound of bells and chants. The huge brass lamps move in a synchronized manner, making it a sight to behold. The aarti is performed from a specific area of a long platform, with 7 short platforms shed under an umbrella-like structure above them. 

Seven young learned Brahmins of Kashi performed all the offerings and aarti, they symbolize the seven Saptarishis who performed the Puja for Maa Ganga. The chants and shlokas not only worship Maa Ganga but also include praise of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

The timings, schedule, and other performances

For the longest time, Ganga Aarti was only performed in the evenings at the Dashashwamedh ghat, but soon, the tradition of morning aarti was adopted. And this is something that I admired the most. The morning aarti performed on the Assi Ghat is known as Subah-e-Benaras, an ideal way to begin the morning in the city. 

Ganga Aarti timings Summers Winters Duration Morning 5:00 AM 5:30 AM Approx. 45 min Evening 7:00 PM 6:00 PM Approx. 45 min

 

 

Before the Ganga Aarti, Vedic verses are also recited, offering prayers to the basic elements of the universe: earth, water, sky, and fire. After the aarti, the Benaras gharanas, who are the classical musicians, start with the music and ragas, who have been performing the art for 200 years.

Apart from the ghats, people also witness the Ganga Aarti from the rooftops of lodges, houses, hotels, and restaurants. But you can opt for watching the aarti from the boats sailing in the holy waters of the Ganga. It is docked near the ghat, offering you the perfect view of the Aarti.

The Ganga Aarti has always witnessed a huge gathering of visitors on its ghats every day. The only exception was during the period of COVID-19, the aarti continued but with the presence of only one priest. The gathering of masses was halted then.

How to reach

By air: If you are traveling to Varanasi via air, then the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport will be the nearest, only at a distance of 25 km. Book your flights to Varanasi, and then take a cab or taxi to reach Benaras.

By train: All the major cities are well connected to the Varanasi Junction and the Mughal Sarai Junction, you can check on the train schedules from your region and book your tickets early. A taxi, bus, auto-rickshaw, or e-rickshaw will then take you to Dashashvamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, or Rajendra Prasad Ghat easily.

By road: Road routes to Varanasi are convenient and well-maintained. The National Highway 19 is the major connecting route. If you are traveling to nearby cities like Prayagraj, Kanpur, or Ayodhya, you can easily commute via road. Check out the best connecting routes from your city. 

It is recommended that when you visit the Ghat, make sure you arrive an hour before time to the place to avoid the crowd beforehand and secure the best spot for yourself.  Also, try attending the Ganga Aarti both during the morning as well as in the evening. Subah-e-Benaras is also a very unique spiritual experience. There are no entry charges for the aarti or the ghat. But there is a fee for the special VIP seats near the Aarti area.  

Check out the best experiences, nearby restaurants, hotels, and other attractions to Ganga Aarti (2025) at: https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g297685-d14049629-Reviews-Ganga_Aarti-Varanasi_Varanasi_District_Uttar_Pradesh.html 

It is believed that participating in the Ganga Aarti purifies the soul and attracts positive energy, engulfing the surroundings with peace and spirituality. Now, when it is being observed as the Intangible cultural heritage, the world has understood the significance of the rich cultural legacy. Thus, the Ganga Aarti shall not be missed by any chance, where you will know that it is more than simply a religious ritual!