Ganga Aarti
Ganga Aarti
4.6
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mingfatsai
Grand Island, NE4,760 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Wow! This is an otherworldly experience. The Aarti or Puja is a nightly event celebrating the Mother Ganga River. Tens to hundreds of thousands show up for each nightly ceremony. The evening is filled with colorful song and dance and the performances and even the performers do the same or similar routines each evening. The number of attendees is bewildering and unless you are being guided by someone who knows how to navigate the little alleys and crowds to enter and exit the event, it will be very daunting. Abercrombie and Kent did a wonderful job of getting us amazing seats on a floor above the crowds and we had spectacular, panoramic views as the event unfolded. They also had our departure escape through back alleys planned in advance so we could evade the huge crowds that ultimately dispersed at the event’s conclusion. This is an incredible experience that is on every Hindu’s lifelong bucket list, so if you have the chance to witness the spectacle, it’s well worth it.
Written January 13, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roberto G
Province of Lodi, Italy4,053 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
I attended the evening ceremony at the very crowded Dasaswamedh Ghat on both the steps and the Ganges side for those watching from boats. For my group the guide had reserved seats on a terrace in an elevated position and everything was seen in a decent way even if a bit 'from afar. The ceremony is very special and follows a precise ritual accompanied by the continuous ringing of bells, songs and incense. The atmosphere is undoubtedly engaging but some may get a little bored because it unfolds slowly and is difficult for non-Hindus to understand. Recommended to leave just before the end, here only a guide can help you, because this way you avoid the mass of people returning to the city.
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Written January 7, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ankosh Lath
Mumbai, India144 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
There are 2 Aarti.
One morning aarti at Sunrise (5.10 am)
And another at evening sunset (7 pm approx)
Time is not fixed and depends entirely on sun rise and sun set.
There is a huge rush of tourists watching the aarti at Dashwamedh ghat. We watched the aarti from the cruise (Alaknanda cruise. Rs 1k per person).
Honestly I didn't find the evening aarti fascinating, as the cruise was a little away. The insta reels you may have watched are just glorifying the situation with mind boggling songs in the background. But there are no such songs in reality.
Morning aarti is serene and divine. So visit Subah e Banaras (Google maps name of the morning aarti location). You see Sunrise and the weather also is pleasant.
You can do boating after the aarti (Rs 50 per person). They bargain a lot. They will say Rs 200 initially. We agreed at Rs 100 later to realise that few people also paid Rs 50 per head.
One morning aarti at Sunrise (5.10 am)
And another at evening sunset (7 pm approx)
Time is not fixed and depends entirely on sun rise and sun set.
There is a huge rush of tourists watching the aarti at Dashwamedh ghat. We watched the aarti from the cruise (Alaknanda cruise. Rs 1k per person).
Honestly I didn't find the evening aarti fascinating, as the cruise was a little away. The insta reels you may have watched are just glorifying the situation with mind boggling songs in the background. But there are no such songs in reality.
Morning aarti is serene and divine. So visit Subah e Banaras (Google maps name of the morning aarti location). You see Sunrise and the weather also is pleasant.
You can do boating after the aarti (Rs 50 per person). They bargain a lot. They will say Rs 200 initially. We agreed at Rs 100 later to realise that few people also paid Rs 50 per head.
Written September 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neadansu
Bengaluru, India313 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
There is a ganga aarti at every ghat. Definitely worth sitting through once, but if you attend a second time, there is a clear commercial feel to it. Aarti organizers competing with each other, recorded voices - it is a business. Again, nothing wrong - it is done well and worth one visit for sure, but this time around, the devotional connect for me was missing. Seemed like an elaborate ornate ritual with too many speeches. Definitely attend once and do it at a smaller ghat... some of them have just 1 or 3 people offering the aarti
Written December 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iamadhir
Kolkata (Calcutta), India394 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
The Ganga Aarti is perhaps the most famous aarti in Varanasi. This evening ritual is a grand spectacle performed at various ghats, with Dashashwamedh Ghat being the most popular.
As the sun sets, the ghats come alive with the sound of bells, drums, and conch shells. Priests dressed in saffron robes perform the aarti with chanting and synchronised movements, following a sequence of rituals like incense sticks, holding large brass lamps, chawars etc. The entire riverfront is illuminated by the glow of the lights reflecting off the waters of the Ganges.
The whole event creates an immersive magical experience!
As the sun sets, the ghats come alive with the sound of bells, drums, and conch shells. Priests dressed in saffron robes perform the aarti with chanting and synchronised movements, following a sequence of rituals like incense sticks, holding large brass lamps, chawars etc. The entire riverfront is illuminated by the glow of the lights reflecting off the waters of the Ganges.
The whole event creates an immersive magical experience!
Written March 22, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wander19777324188
Itarsi, India12 contributions
May 2024 • Family
During our 3 days tour we wanted to cover as much of spiritual place as we can, It's free, no ticket. Crowd starts gathering by around 5:00 pm. The Aarti starts at around 6.30 PM. it was very spiritual feeling and good to see lots of people participating in Bhajan.
Written June 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
claudio d
Viterbo, Italy45,437 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Hindu ceremony from the codified ritual that takes place on the banks of the Ganges twice a day, at sunrise and sunset. It certainly has its religious value for the faithful, but for a Christian tourist, once skimmed of the spiritual aspect, what remains is not so spectacular. It could therefore represent just a curiosity, as perhaps our Christian function would be for a Hindu tourist, but there is no doubt that the atmosphere and the context around make everything very suggestive (let's not forget that we are in the most sacred city in India and perhaps also the oldest). I am also pleased to have witnessed the sunrise ceremony, leaving the hotel in the middle of the night, to arrive at the Ganges and wait for the sunrise, while Hindu priests and various helpers made preparations before starting the Ganga Aarti.
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Written November 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmulAwasthy
Pune, India4,080 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Every Evening there is Ganga Aarti is performed on the Ghat by Ganga Seva Nidhi Samiti.
People used to gather on the ghats at least two hours before the aarti starts for better viewing experience.Aarti is some where 45 Min Long and is a treat to watch. Ensure you have grabbed a seat before it gets too crowded.
If you are there for more than a day than give it a try every evening from different location if possible you wont regret it,
People used to gather on the ghats at least two hours before the aarti starts for better viewing experience.Aarti is some where 45 Min Long and is a treat to watch. Ensure you have grabbed a seat before it gets too crowded.
If you are there for more than a day than give it a try every evening from different location if possible you wont regret it,
Written May 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kapil Sood
Bengaluru, India461 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
An incredible experience participating in this Aarti at Dashashwamedh ghat near Kashi Vishwanath temple. The whole environment is so electric that you need to be here to experience it, any amount of explaining is not going to do any justice to it. Be mentally prepared to see lakhs of people all over to witness this. Check the timings as they do it soon after it gets dark in the evening.
Few tips:
1. Do not take elderly with walking disability and also small kids, the place is really crowded.
2. Take public transport (taxi, auto, e-rickshaw) to reach here. You won't find car parking anywhere closeby.
3. Watching the Aarti from the Cruise boat is the best idea. Read my review of Alaknanda Cruise for more details on this.
4. Wear comfortable footwear, ready to walk on uneven surface as well. Also, wear modest clothes, people from all over the world and all economic strata are going to be here.
Few tips:
1. Do not take elderly with walking disability and also small kids, the place is really crowded.
2. Take public transport (taxi, auto, e-rickshaw) to reach here. You won't find car parking anywhere closeby.
3. Watching the Aarti from the Cruise boat is the best idea. Read my review of Alaknanda Cruise for more details on this.
4. Wear comfortable footwear, ready to walk on uneven surface as well. Also, wear modest clothes, people from all over the world and all economic strata are going to be here.
Written May 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Navigate63093785833
7 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
For closer experience of ganga aarthi and pooja book thru kashi archan foundation. MR sunil Pandey tried his very best to accommodate my wheel chair bound parents. But do go on or before time and to the exact location specified.
Written August 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Any wheelchair accessible ghats and boats available to watch ganga aarti. Is namo or ravidas ghat better to get onto a boat on a wheelchair
Written October 4, 2024
The people there would help with wheel chair
Written November 10, 2024
Ivwill b on a wheelchair. How can I get there from car park area to venue. Where to get dropped off from car.
Written October 4, 2024
How much does a boat ride cost?
Cost is per boat or per person ?
Manual (noise free) boats are available or motorised boats are available
Written July 31, 2024
Both types are available. it depends on how many ghats and how much time would you like to have boat ride. they would charge around 1K for 45 minutes
Written September 22, 2024
At what time it happens generally, more specific in AUG at what time it may happen ?
Written June 26, 2024
It will depend on the sunset time. In winters it would by by 6pm while in summers it could be delayed as the sunset happens late
Written September 22, 2024
What are the current (March 2020) charges for hiring a boat to view the Ganga aarti?
Which is the best place to view and enjoy the aarti?
Written March 8, 2020
Hello Kunal!
Ganga Aarti of Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi is world-famous. The focal point of Varanasi is Dashashwamedh Ghat, evening view is even more attractive when sparkling with the light of lamps at Dashashwamedh Ghat the world-famous Ganga Aarti begins with the scent of sandalwood and the chanting of havan mantras. You can easily hire a boat approximate 500/- to 800/- rupees.
Written March 9, 2020
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Written December 21, 2019
If you feel it's promotion it's all your wishes but being native of Mahadev Nagari I will always happy to explore Varanasi and it's culture accross the globe and also request you to spread the shower of Varanasi
I am a solo traveler from past 10 years still traveling Kudos!!!
Written April 27, 2020
I believe it is done daily.
Written October 2, 2019
Will be visiting Varanasi from 02.10.19 to 08.10.19.How to book for Ganga Arati? Is it on?
Written October 1, 2019
Its free, no need to book any tickets for Ganga Arti.
Just be early to reach there... so that you can have best view seat.
Written February 13, 2020
Hi I’m planning to visit Varanasi in the month of August
Is Ganga arthi performed everyday
What’s the best option to get quick darshan at Vishwanath temple
Which is the best and reasonable shopping area for Benaras fabric
Written June 10, 2019
The quick darshan is only possible in early morning. The best reasonable shopping area is chock near Vishnath temple.
Written June 11, 2019
I am planning to witness Ganga arti. Would it make sense to arrive at morning 8 to varanasi and leave the next morning? Will I be able to cover most of varanasi?
Written March 14, 2019
There are quite a few things to see in and around Varanasi. Ganga Aarti will keep you busy from 6 pm onwards. You can get a boat for best view of the Aarti from the water. The boat guy will also give you a tour of the other ghats near there and tell you a bit about the history and mythology behind them. You can go to Vishwanath Mandir (half a day). Best time to go to the mandir is early morning.
Additionally you can see Manas Mandir on BHU campus which has the whole Ramcharitra Manas inscribed on the wall inside the main hall. Sankat Mochan is another temple that people go to for worshipping Hanuman. Sarnath is nearby and has a Budhha Shanti Stup. If you want to do all you will need a minimum of three days.
If all you have is 24 hours then arrive early afternoon, do the Ganga Aarti in the evening and Vishwanath Mandir in the morning. This way you can wrap up the two most important things.
Written March 15, 2019
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