Day 34 Evening aarti 16 February 2026 скачать в хорошем качестве

Day 34 Evening aarti 16 February 2026

Evening Aarti - Fire, Faith, Lanes, and Lassi At 4 pm, I set off with my guide while Pintu dropped us near the market area close to one of the ghats. As always in Varanasi, the streets were overflowing with life - vendors calling out, pilgrims buying offerings for the Aarti, flower sellers threading marigolds, and the constant hum of movement and devotion. We wandered through the narrow alleys, stopping first for a samosa. The samosas here are wonderfully hearty, packed with spiced potatoes and vegetables, crisp on the outside, and far tastier than the versions back home. A real treat. A little further along, we came across a lassi stall, and my guide insisted I try. This was only my second lassi in India, and I’m beginning to truly enjoy them. Unlike the thin yoghurt drink I once tried years ago, the lassi here is thick, creamy, almost like a custard pudding. Cold, rich, and refreshing - perfect for the warm evening. It’s amazing how something so simple can feel so indulgent. We continued through the maze of lanes, passing shops selling everything imaginable, including one stall entirely dedicated to remote controls, with an astonishing range on display. Only in India! Eventually, we reached Dashashwamedh Ghat, the most famous ghat in Varanasi and the main stage for the evening Ganga Aarti. The Ganga Aarti is where Varanasi’s spiritual heart becomes visible. After the chaos of the streets, the ceremony feels like stepping into another world - ordered, rhythmic, luminous. In essence, the Aarti is a daily fire offering to the River Ganga, worshipped as Maa Ganga, the divine mother who purifies and sustains life. It is performed every single evening, without fail. A group of young, specially trained priests, dressed in saffron and cream silk, stand on raised platforms facing the river. In perfect synchrony, they perform a choreographed ritual using enormous multi‑tiered brass lamps, incense burners, conch shells, and peacock‑feather fans. The ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat is the grandest of all, a 45‑minute spectacle that begins just after sunset. We arrived early, and I secured a balcony seat for 300 rupees, giving me a perfect bird’s‑eye view. There were seven priests, each with his own platform. The spaces were beautifully decorated with flower petals, and later, small oil lamps were placed around each platform. The central platform held a statue of Lord Shiva, which the priests adorned with garlands until it looked almost lifelike. In front of the priests’ platforms sat the VIPs - government officials, temple authorities, and donors - cross‑legged on white cloth. Behind them were rows of pilgrims clutching offerings, waiting for blessings and salvation. As darkness fell, the ceremony began. The priests blew conch shells, their deep, resonant notes echoing across the river. Bells rang, cymbals clanged, and the rhythmic chanting of mantras filled the air. The priests lifted their massive flaming lamps and moved them in sweeping arcs - circles, spirals, and figure‑eights - each movement symbolic, each gesture an offering. The entire ghat glowed with thousands of tiny flames from floating diyas set adrift on the river. Their reflections shimmered on the water like scattered stars. The air grew thick with incense and sandalwood, creating a heady, sacred atmosphere. It was impossible not to feel moved. For me, the Aarti was a beautiful cultural experience, a moment of calm and wonder. For the pilgrims around me, it was something far deeper. The flame is believed to carry divine energy. The mantras purify the mind and cleanse negative karma. The ritual is the spiritual climax of their day. The continuity of the Aarti connects them to ancestors and saints. The collective devotion creates a powerful sense of unity and belonging. For many elderly pilgrims who come to Varanasi seeking moksha (liberation), attending the Aarti is essential. It is a step closer to spiritual freedom. We slipped away a little before the end to avoid the crush of people leaving the ghat. As we walked back through the alleys, I felt as though I had stepped out of one city and into another. The Aarti had been serene, luminous, and deeply moving - a rare moment of stillness in a place defined by constant motion. A magical end to the day.