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India's spiritual history is the oldest in the world because it has many highly symbolic rituals and festivals that are known to summon large crowds on a pilgrimage journey. Explore India through this ceremonial festival called Ganga Aarti.
B Y G. V A R G A S I N C O L L A B O R A T I O N
W I T H F R O N T I E R S M A G A Z I N E
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y
L O R E N Z O B E L L U O M I N I
P U B L I S H E D J U N E 10 , 2 0 2 3
• 15 M I N R E A D
India is a magical place, a place of encounter and connection between past and present. Located in southern Asia, this country is known for its vast and wide territory, with cities like Agra or Varanasi that enrich the culture and architectural art, are epicenters of great festivals and rituals, managing to summon hundreds of parishioners every year. This time we will delve into the latter.
The Ganges River,
the gateway to sacred rituals in Varanasi
The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals. This important river flows through the city of Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world. This city is the epicenter of one of the largest ritual festivals in all of India, the Ganga Aarti.
The city is a center of learning and an example of how civilization began to take shape more than 3000 years ago. The Ganges River is said to have its origin in the tresses of Lord Shiva and in Varanasi it expands to become the mighty river we know today, flowing through the major holy cities of India. With Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, only 10 km away, Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Hindu knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to the gods, art and crafts have flourished here for centuries. Also a place of pilgrimage for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the 23rd Tirthankar. Vaishnavism and Shaivism have coexisted harmoniously in Varanasi.
The path to the connection with the sacred
The Ganges River is the lifeline that runs through Varanasi, is undoubtedly a space of transformation and connection to the divine for the Hindu culture. Perimetrically to this river, there is this portal, a platform that connects the earthly with the spiritual of the river, the so-called Ghats. Extensive embankments made of concrete steps extend along the river, these platforms allow descent from the city to meet the river Ganger, allowing pilgrims to perform religious rituals, offerings, domestic activities and in some, cremations.
In Varanasi there are 88 ghats, where people can descend to the banks of the river, being 2 of them only destined to the ceremony of cremation of the corpses.
While the Ganges is a sacred river that keeps the spirituality of the people alive, it is also a source of livelihood for millions of people in the country. The importance of the Ganges River is immense for the community in India as it helps people in fishing, tourism and water activities. This river acts as a backbone along the cities in India, serving as a meeting point between the communities.
► WHAT CAN WE SEE?
One of the ghats of Varanasi, you can appreciate the steps, buildings, boats and clusters of bonfires where the rituals of cremation are performed.
[ IMAGE BY A. ZEITLER ]
Ganga Aarti Ceremony
Every day, as the dusk descends, the Aarti ceremony on the Ganges or Ganga Aarti is performed in three of India's sacred cities: Haridwar, Rishikesh and Varanasi.
Ganga Aarti is the religious ritual or ceremony of Hindus dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Attending Ganga Arti Haridwar or other sacred destinations is a spiritual aspiration of every Hindu and acts as a crucial process in their life. It unites the human soul with the god and provides pilgrims with the peace of mind they seek.
Hindu devotees celebrate every evening the Ganga Arti ceremony as a ritual of thanksgiving, which consists of a series of rituals in which oil lamps are offered to the gods. The sound of bells, drums and devotional songs create a magical and emotional atmosphere, thus expressing their gratitude to the sacred Ganges for serving human beings spiritually and physically.
An Aarti is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering. It is usually in the form of a lighted lamp, and in the case of the Ganges River, a small diya with a candle and flowers floating downstream.
The Aarti ceremony on the Ganges is performed in front of India's holy river. The lamps are lit and surrounded by pandits (Hindu priests) in a clockwise direction, who sing songs in praise of Mother Ganga. The idea is that the lamps acquire the power of the deity. Once the ritual is completed, the devotees will place their hands on the flame and raise their palms to their foreheads to obtain the purification and blessing of the goddess.
► ABOUT THE LIGHT
The meaning and symbolism of the lamps is that they act as a channel for the deity to acquire the power to dedicate an offering to him.
[ IMAGE BY L. BELLUOMINI ]
► ABOUT THE PEOPLE
Once the ritual is concluded, the devotees place their hands on the flame and bring their palms to their foreheads to obtain the purification and blessing of the goddess.
[ IMAGE BY L. BELLUOMINI ]
Varanasi, the city that becomes a
city of fire at nightfall.
Since time immemorial man has had a special connection with light, presented through different cultures throughout history as a form of enlightenment, guidance or hope, finding light in an eternal darkness seems to be a path that unites them.
In rituals there are instances where light can evoke a feeling of solemnity, respect and search for the presence of divinity. To reach the light one must pass through the darkness, this is where the city of Varanasi presents such a ceremonial spectacle where thousands of people seek to connect with a deity through fire. To be in the presence of fire, to capture its energy, heat and illumination is an act of solemnity and respect for matter, living and vibrant energy.
Significance
This ceremony is a tribute and gratitude of humans towards this holy river. Ganga Arti teaches us that God is the controller of all human activities. This spiritual understanding gives us the power and strength to deal with all the positive and negative experiences in life.
Moreover, this ceremony generates spiritual peace of mind that Hindus seek for salvation. It is considered that people who often take part in the Ganga Aarti ceremony calm their ego, relieve them from stress and worries of everyday life.
[ IMAGE BY L. BELLUOMINI ]
[ IMAGE BY L. BELLUOMINI ]
The Aarti ceremony is performed on a stage by a group of young pandits, all dressed in saffron robes with their puja plates spread before them. It begins with the blowing of a conch shell, and continues with the movement of incense sticks in elaborate patterns and circles of large lighted lamps that create a bright hue in contrast to the dark sky. The movement of the lamps, held in the hands of the pandits, is closely synchronized with the rhythmic chanting of hymns and the metallic sound of the cymbals.
India is a cultural destination immersed in art, traditions and colors, it is our duty to respect and preserve ancient practices to keep alive the essence of things, the importance and the origin of them.
R E F E R E N C E S
Essential Guide to the Ganga Aarti in India (2019, July 20). Sharell Cook, <https://www.tripsavvy.com/ganga-aarti-india-guide-1539713>
History And Significance Of Ganga Arti Ceremony. (2022, March 30). Vyatra, <https://vyatra.online/blogs/history-and-significance-of-ganga-arti-ceremony/>.
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