Ganga Aarti, Varanasi: 7 Things You Should Know (2024)

Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and it is often described as the Spiritual Heart of India. This is the holiest city for Hindus and one of the top cultural destinations in India.

This ritual is performed at the banks of the holy River Ganges every evening, and it honours the Goddess Ganga. This is a beautiful spectacle not to be missed during a visit to this city.

You will find everything you need to know if you’re planning on attending the Ganga Aarti in this guide. As I visited Varanasi multiple times and spent a total of a month in this city, I attended this ritual multiple times.

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What is the Ganga Aarti?

First things first. If you’re going to attend the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, it might be interesting to learn a little bit more about what it is exactly.

The Ganga Aarti is performed every evening in the three holy cities; Varanasi, Haridwar and Rishikesh. This is a ritual that honours the River Ganga, which is holy for Hindus, and it is of great religious importance.

According to the legend, the Goddess Ganga descended to earth and turned into a river. You will see plenty of devotees bathing in these waters as this is believed to wash away sins.

The Aarti ceremony starts with the blowing of a conch shell. It is believed that this will eliminate negative energy and heighten the senses. Next, priests will thank the Goddess Ganga by chanting and performing rituals using brass lamps, which is quite a spectacle. Devotees believe that attending this ritual will wash away their sins and bring peace to the souls of their ancestors.

People also offer flowers or fruits accompanied by a candle to the Ganges, you will see these float on the river.

You will find a video of what the Ganga Aarti is like in Varanasi below.

7 things you need to know before attending the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi

1. It starts at 6:45 pm in Summer and 5:45 in Winter

The Ganga Aarti is held after sunset every evening, so the time differs according to the season. During Summer (April to June), the Aarti will start around 6:45 p.m., while it will start around 5:45 p.m. in Winter (October to March). The ritual lasts for 45 minutes in total.

If you’re visiting Varanasi in the monsoon season (July to September), it is good to ask your hotel at what time the Aarti is performed, as timings might vary.

2. There is a morning Ganga Aarti too

Although I’m sure it is less crowded, I never attended the morning Aarti myself because it is very early in the morning.

If you’re an early bird, however, attending the morning Aarti might be a good way to avoid crowds. It is performed every morning at 5 a.m. and it is held at Assi Ghat (see #3 on this list).

As the evening Aarti is the one I attended a couple of times, this is what this post focuses on. However, some tips will be relevant as well if you would like to attend the morning Aarti.

3. Assi Ghat is a great place to see the Aarti (but not during the rainy season)

The best place to see the Ganga Aarti is at Assi Ghat, which is one of the most famous landmarks in India. This is a wide, open space that can fit a lot of people. Therefore, it won’t feel so crowded here.

There will be seats at Assi Ghat from where you can watch the Aarti. It all depends on your personal preferences, but I loved walking around during the ceremony. This allowed me to take pictures (because Varanasi is a dream for photographers) from different angles and watch the rituals from multiple perspectives.

If you’re visiting Varanasi between July and October, however, the ghats might be flooded due to the monsoon. If this is the case, the Ganga Aarti will not be performed at the ghats. When I visited Varanasi in October, I found a place near Dashashwamedh Ghat where it was performed in the courtyard of a building.

4. It’s good to come early if you want a good seat

You will want to come to Assi Ghat early if you want a good seat. People start gathering here as far as 90 minutes before the Aarti starts and the best seats tend to fill up pretty quickly.

If you can’t grab a seat, you can still watch the Aarti while standing, which is what I do every time. Assi Ghat is a big place that can fit many, many people.

5. You can watch the Aarti from a boat too (but this is not free)

Another option is to watch the Ganga Aarti from a boat, which is popular among tourists. It is a good idea to be there on time if you want to book a boat seat. Once you reach the ghat, there will be plenty of boatmen selling tickets for boat seats.

There are also boat tours of the Ganges that include watching the Aarti at the end of the trip. You can book these online via GetYourGuide or directly in Varanasi.

>> Read: What to Wear in India: 5 Tips + Outfit Ideas

6. Know that it will be crowded at the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi

It is no secret that India is known for being very, very populated. This is the most populated country in the world, after all.

So, it is good to be prepared and know that it will be crowded during the Ganga Aarti. Many Hindu devotees flock to Varanasi every day and the Aarti is popular among foreign tourists as well.

Luckily, Assi Ghat is quite an open space, so you will have the space to walk around. After the Aarti is over and everyone leaves, however, there are many crowds in the streets.

7. Avoid weekends if you can

Many Indians are free during weekends and as Varanasi is the holiest city in Hinduism, this is an incredibly popular destination among locals.

So, if you’re flexible, it is better to attend the Aarti on a weekday, as it won’t be as crowded compared to the weekend.

I attended the Ganga Aarti both during the week as well as in the weekend, and I can confirm that it is a bit less crowded in the week.

Where to stay in Varanasi

There are many places to stay in Varanasi, from cheap dorms to luxury hotels. The best area to stay is close to the ghats, though, as this is the most interesting part of the city.

You will find my top recommendations below.

Wander Station Varanasi (⭐ 8.7): Located in the heart of Varanasi, this hotel has got both private rooms as well as dorms. They have a nice rooftop restaurant too with a view of the River Ganges.
Panchkote Raj Ganges (⭐ 8.6): Panchkote Raj Ganges is located in a quiet place in the centre of Varanasi. So if you’re looking for a nice place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the one for you! It is good to know that this place has a garden and on-site restaurant too.
Shree Ganesha Palace (⭐ 8.0): Shree Ganesha Palace is a heritage hotel that’s located within walking distance of the ghats. There’s an on-site restaurant and the hotel has beautiful and clean rooms.

Ganga Aarti in Varanasi: Final thoughs

Watching the Ganga Aarti is one of the highlights of Varanasi and something that you cannot miss during your visit to this city. This is one of these magical Indian travel bucket list experiences that you will remember for a lifetime.

As this is one of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it is good to come prepared so that you can enjoy this ceremony to the fullest. I hope that this guide will help you do just that and that you will have an amazing time watching the Ganga Aarti!

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