Categories: culture, photo essay, Uttar Pradesh

Photo Essay: Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi

Auli -> Rishikesh -> Corbett National Park -> Varanasi -> Agra

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Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh ghat, close to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is one of the prime attractions of Varanasi. It starts just after sunset, with a bunch of young men choreographing to the chantings, holding the lamps.

Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi
Preparations are on for the evening aarti

People start arriving at the ghats as early as 5pm. Dasaswamedh ghat becomes a hub of activity, with people sitting and waiting for the aarti, buying flowers and other things from nearby shops or performing pooja. I sat listening to an attractive old man who narrated Ramayana to a bunch of tourists who were listening keenly. Several babas sat near the ghats, looking for donations.

Also see:
* Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh
* Ganga Aarti in Varanasi

People on the ghats, Varanasi
People wait for the aarti to begin

Ganga Aarti, Varanasi

As the aarti begins, men take their positions at the platform and begin swinging the lamp to the tune of chantings.

Ganga Aarti, Varanasi

Big lamps look beautiful after darkness sets in.

Ganga Aarti, Varanasi

The choreography is excellent and worth seeing. But it also feels artificial in a devitional context. Like anywhere else in India, loudspeakers rob the pleasantness of the evening.

Read more about Varanasi on paintedstork.com
* Images of Varanasi
* Travelling to Varanasi from Corbett
* Arriving at Varanasi
* Many perceptions of Varanasi
* First day at the ghats
* Boat ride on the Ganges
* An encounter on the ghats
* Photo Essay: Ganga Aarti
* Life on the ghats
* About Varanasi

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