The world famous Maa Ganga Aarti is performed every evening about 45 minutes after sunset at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Kashi, the oldest city of India. Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is led by the priests of Ganga Seva Nidhi and Gangotri Seva Samiti. The grand Aarti of Maa Ganga is performed by 7 priests of Ganga Seva Nidhi and 5 priests of Gangotri Seva Samiti. Dashashwamedh Ghat is located at a short distance from the temple of Shri Kashi Vishwanath. Ganga Aarti is very important from the point of view of tourism along with religious and spiritual significance.

Ganga Aarti is performed by local priests in the morning and evening at various ghats of Kashi. Kashi's popular morning Ganga Aarti is performed at Assi Ghat about 45 minutes before sunrise by 7 priests under the leadership of A Subah-e-Banaras. The morning Ganga Aarti is performed by a priest at the Dashashwamedh Ghat about 45 minutes before sunrise, under the supervision of Ganga Seva Nidhi.

Significance: Bathing in the Ganga frees a person from sins and provides spiritual purity. The Ganga Aarti ceremony is a symbol of respect for the river Ganga. It is more than a beautiful sight, it is a deeply spiritual event. It is believed that it eliminates negative energy. Ganga Aarti has become a major center of faith in the country. Devotees from all over the world come here to get a glimpse of this grandeur. The atmosphere on the banks of the Ganga becomes devotional as the evening approaches.

Priests dressed in traditional attire gather at Dashashwamedh Ghat, carrying incense sticks, incense, earthen lamps, camphor, conches, bells, damru and other ritual items to prepare for the ancient Ganga Aarti ceremony. Devotees participate in chanting, their voices rising in unison with the pundits as they pray to Maa Ganga. Ganga Aarti begins with blowing the conch, with the priests carrying large multi-tiered diyas in their hands and performing the Maha Aarti of Maa Ganga. The grand Aarti of Maa Ganga is performed with the sound of blowing of conch, bell, damru, melodious sound of Aarti music, glow of lamps, chanting of mantras and chanting of Maa Ganga's praise. During Ganga Aarti, the flame of the lamp in the water of Ganga creates a supernatural sight and the flame of the lamp seems to be trying to touch the sky. Pilgrims, visitors, tourists and believers from all over the world come in thousands and lakhs every day for the supernatural experience of Ganga Aarti.

History: Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat of Kashi was started in 1991 under the leadership of Mundan Maharaj (founder- late Pandit Satyendra Mishra). Earlier this Aarti used to be performed on Dev Deepawali and Ganga Dussehra. Gradually it was made regular. Earlier only one priest used to perform the Aarti of Maa Ganga, now their number has also increased to seven. In 2007 it was included in the Incredible Heritage of India.

Ganga Aarti