A travelling of Varanasi
is in incomplete without walk at Mystic Ghats of Varanasi and a boat ride in
River Ganga. The Mystic beauty of Ganga Ghats in Varanasi can’t be visualized
without roaming along ghats or a
boat ride on the river. It was early evening a breezy and clear blue sky day
of February.I happened a part of mystery that was happening there.
is in incomplete without walk at Mystic Ghats of Varanasi and a boat ride in
River Ganga. The Mystic beauty of Ganga Ghats in Varanasi can’t be visualized
without roaming along ghats or a
boat ride on the river. It was early evening a breezy and clear blue sky day
of February.I happened a part of mystery that was happening there.
 |
Maha Ganga Aarti of Varanasi |
Every evening thousands of visitors
assemble at Dashashwamedh Ghat, to view the spectacle of evening Maha Aarti in
Varanasi. Though this tradition itself may be thousands of years old, in the
modern days the Aarti is a choreographed show with priests in traditional
Indian clothes using huge deepams and mashals or Cressets, moving to the tune
of melodious Aarti and Bhajans.
assemble at Dashashwamedh Ghat, to view the spectacle of evening Maha Aarti in
Varanasi. Though this tradition itself may be thousands of years old, in the
modern days the Aarti is a choreographed show with priests in traditional
Indian clothes using huge deepams and mashals or Cressets, moving to the tune
of melodious Aarti and Bhajans.
 |
Evening Boating in Ganga in Varanasi |
The Ganga Ghats of
Varanasi are mystical and magical place.These Ghats are a place where the dead
and living play roles at same time.
A last breath of salvation at the Manikarna Ghat is well deserved for. So here it
is almost a beauty to watch death at burning pyres.
Varanasi are mystical and magical place.These Ghats are a place where the dead
and living play roles at same time.
A last breath of salvation at the Manikarna Ghat is well deserved for. So here it
is almost a beauty to watch death at burning pyres.
The dead body cremated here, in accordance to the Hindu rituals, would
attain moksha and be relived from the cycle of birth and death. A last breath
of salvation at the Manikarna Ghat is well deserved for.
attain moksha and be relived from the cycle of birth and death. A last breath
of salvation at the Manikarna Ghat is well deserved for.
 |
Burning Pyres in Mani-karma Ghats at Varanasi |
These Ghats are a place
where the dead and living plays role at same time. Pilgrims come here to wash
away a lifetime of sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones. So death here is almost a beauty to watch.
where the dead and living plays role at same time. Pilgrims come here to wash
away a lifetime of sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones. So death here is almost a beauty to watch.
So one fine morning I was in Varanasi. I decided to take the evening boat first. Hired un shared
boat only for my enjoyment. This boat ride costed me Rs 300:00. I took my seat
comfortable, and took my SLR canon ready to catch the magic.
 |
A Mystic Evening at Ganga Ghats in Varanasi |
Let’s start virtual
tour of of the Ghats the most mesmerizing beautiful journey.Few lines are not enough
to describe these moments.The boat was
floating freely down stream of river along with many other boats.
tour of of the Ghats the most mesmerizing beautiful journey.Few lines are not enough
to describe these moments.The boat was
floating freely down stream of river along with many other boats.
The boats man was singing a folk song in
pure eastern language tone. Sea guls were flying high, some v close to water
surface in search of small fishes for their food.
pure eastern language tone. Sea guls were flying high, some v close to water
surface in search of small fishes for their food.
 |
A Good Hello from visitor Enjoying boat ride in Ganga -Varanasi |
As the boat started receding from
the bank, from a distance, all the Ghats forms a crescent. It is fun to compare
the Ghats, how one looks so different from the other, though they stand next to
each other.
the bank, from a distance, all the Ghats forms a crescent. It is fun to compare
the Ghats, how one looks so different from the other, though they stand next to
each other.
Looking at the Ghats, floating in a
boat on the Ganges was making me more and more relaxed.I was totally lost in
magic and mystic atmosphere that enveloped me.It is not possible to narrate
this beautiful trip in few lines.
boat on the Ganges was making me more and more relaxed.I was totally lost in
magic and mystic atmosphere that enveloped me.It is not possible to narrate
this beautiful trip in few lines.
 |
A Beautiful view of Ganga Ghats from a boat |
The Maha Ganga Aarti Ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
The last and most spritul events were
awaiting me. That was Maha Aarti of Ganga Ceremny
at Dashashwamedh
Ghat.The Sun God was getting low near sky and Ganges water line.The sky was
turning from blue to orange.Light at various ghats and buildings were letting
on.
awaiting me. That was Maha Aarti of Ganga Ceremny
at Dashashwamedh
Ghat.The Sun God was getting low near sky and Ganges water line.The sky was
turning from blue to orange.Light at various ghats and buildings were letting
on.
My boatman turned direction of boat towards “Maha Aarti of Ganga”
Ceremony place. I saw the Aarti from my boat anchored in the river.
Ceremony place. I saw the Aarti from my boat anchored in the river.
 |
Maha Ganga Aarti in Varanasi |
Maha Ganga Aarti stared at 6:00 PM in the evening after the sunset for around 45 minutes.
Devotees use to come to see the Ganga Aarti at least one hour before.
Devotees use to come to see the Ganga Aarti at least one hour before.
 |
Boats in River Ganga at Varanasi |
The
ceremony initiates with the blowing of a conch shell and ringing bells.
The priests’ waves incense sticks and hold up large flaming lamps
while chanting mantras to the goddess Ganga. The priests’ movements are
synchronized and the crowd is quiet during the ceremonial acts.All the
priests who have to perform the Aarti, wear same cloth, the dhoti and kurta
which is tightly bind with a long towel.
ceremony initiates with the blowing of a conch shell and ringing bells.
The priests’ waves incense sticks and hold up large flaming lamps
while chanting mantras to the goddess Ganga. The priests’ movements are
synchronized and the crowd is quiet during the ceremonial acts.All the
priests who have to perform the Aarti, wear same cloth, the dhoti and kurta
which is tightly bind with a long towel.
 |
Beauty of Varanasi Ganga Ghats at Night |
After
completion of this Maha Ganga Aarti, I was hungry, so decided to have a dinner.I left the
Ghat around 8:00 pm. After dinner I went to a Thandai Shop. After drinking
Thandai, I bought famous sweet called Khirmohan and Chamcham ended with chewing
famous Banarsi Paan.
completion of this Maha Ganga Aarti, I was hungry, so decided to have a dinner.I left the
Ghat around 8:00 pm. After dinner I went to a Thandai Shop. After drinking
Thandai, I bought famous sweet called Khirmohan and Chamcham ended with chewing
famous Banarsi Paan.
This ended my full of fun and
memorable day in Varanasi. I enjoyed a boat ride and evening charm of Ganga
Ghats and the Traditional Maha Ganga Aarti. The memories of magical Boat ride
and Mystic spiritual Maha Aarti of Ganga has been etched on my heart for ever. My
camera too was full of those memories.
memorable day in Varanasi. I enjoyed a boat ride and evening charm of Ganga
Ghats and the Traditional Maha Ganga Aarti. The memories of magical Boat ride
and Mystic spiritual Maha Aarti of Ganga has been etched on my heart for ever. My
camera too was full of those memories.
Written,
photographed and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram
photographed and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram
