Ganga Aarti Varanasi

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Ganga Aarti Varanasi
Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat in Varanasi on the Ganges River. It is located close to Kasi Vishwanath Temple and is probably the most spectacular ghat. Two Hindu theologies are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another legend, Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during Dasa -Ashwamedha yajna performed here.

A group of priests, daily in the evening at this ghat,  perform "Agni Pooja" wherein a dedication is made to Lord Shiva, River Ganga, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe.

There was a mela-like atmosphere at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. While there were people sitting on the steps of the Ghat waiting for the Ganga Aarti to begin, there were an equal number of people waiting in boats to view the aarti from the riverside. Then there were vendors selling flowers, tiny oil lamps, and incense sticks as offerings for the aarti. In the midst of all this, on five raised platforms, sat five saffron and cream clad pandas (priests) with all the aarti—an idol of the Goddess Ganga, a multi-tiered oil lamp, flowers, incense sticks, a conch shell, a brass lamp with a snake hood, and many other interesting looking, gleaming brass containers.