Ganga Aarti in Varanasi
This is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, and one of the holiest in Hinduism. Pilgrims come to the ghats lining the Ganges to wash away sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones. It's a particularly auspicious place to die, since expiring here offers moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).
Varanasi needs little introduction. Travellers can love it or hate it,be it the effervescent narrow streets that zig-zag behind the ghats, the rush to see the evening aarti, the irresistible food or the long boat rides along the stretch of ghats by the Ganga, the ironic celebration of life around the business of death is hard to miss. Thousands of travellers descend on the ghats each year to immerse in the spirit of Varanasi.
At Varanasi, you can still get glimpses of centuries-old rituals, customs and culture,The orange (dark saffron) in the flag stands for courage & sacrifice.The Hindus belief, orange represents the “sacral chakra”. Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric traditions of Hinduism.
Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Ganga Aarti is performed by young priests who are pursuing their vedas and upanishads, Devotees gather around the Dias to watch the holy event, Aarti will be offered to river ganga amid chanting mantras. Young Priests will make the sounds using conch shells, 7 priests will be offering Aarti to Holy river ganga by standing on the specially decorated Dias, The whole process will be performed in Rhythm with a unique dress code. Ganga Aarti will be performed with a seven layered camphor lighting.