VARANASI: The Ganga Aarti Ceremony
Facebook March 26, 2018
By David Samuel Robbins Every evening of the year, without exception, the young Hindu Priests mount their platforms at Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of the holy Ganges and perform an astonishing, tightly choreographed offering of smoke, fire, prayer and song to the sacred river; hoisting a cobra-shaped flaming goblet in one hand and ringing a devotional bell with the other, each in perfect unison with their fellow priests. Many people in the huge crowd know this ritual well, and join in with the rhythmic chanting as the event builds to a climax - flower petals, thrown high in to the night sky, then showering down upon the priests as they finish their prayers to the Goddess Ganga, River of Life. Even for the veteran world traveler, Varanasi is an utterly unique and astounding experience. |
Unless otherwise noted, all text, photography, cartography and graphic design is © copyright David Samuel Robbins / Photo Nomad Ventures, Inc. All rights reserved. Except for personal reference, no reproduction in any medium is allowed without advance written consent. We vigorously monitor and protect our intellectual property rights.
|