To visit a sacred town is a great feeling, but to visit it at festival time is a big opportunity. So, if you want to visit Varanasi, ensure you’re there when they celebrate the Ganga Dussehra Festival. It is celebrated twice a year, in summer and winter. However, if that’s not possible and you want to get a good and quick view of this fascinating city, head over at any time of the year and take in all its spiritual practices.

One of the top things to see in Varanasi should always be the Ganga Aarti. In fact, you should include a Ganga Aarti in Varanasi Tour, or your visit to this holy city will be incomplete.

Legend of Ganga Aarti

There are two myths associated with this practice: One, the river is a creation of Lord Brahma to especially welcome Lord Shiva. And, two: During Dasa- Aswamedha Yajna, Lord Brahma sacrificed 10 horses. At the time, aarti descended from the Vedic notion of fire rituals.

Significance of Ganga Aarti

The reason this aarti is performed is to show gratitude to the divine form of God. This offering to the Ganga as the holiest river in India.

Where is Ganga Aarti Performed?

This aarti is performed every evening on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, Rishikesh and Haridwar. It is a very spiritually uplifting aarti that one must attend at least once in life. Though this ceremony is performed at these three centres, there is a difference in the way it is done at all the places.

In Varanasi, it is performed on the banks of the Ganga. This ritual is performed on the banks of the river and one must face the river while performing it. Lamps are lit and swirled around by the priests in a clockwise direction while they chant hymns in praise of the Ganga.

The idea behind this is that the lamps take on the deity’s power. After the aarti is completed, people take blessings from the flame of the lamps. They linger there for some time before reluctantly making tracks for their homes or hotels.

Where to stay in Varanasi

Accommodation in Varanasi depends on how much you want to spend. So, you can stay in hostels, paying guest hotels, budget hotels, luxury hotels, resorts and luxury tents. Take your pick. The amenities, food, view of the city, etc will vary according to your choice.

Before you leave Varanasi, ensure that you see a handful of the famous Ghats here. One of them is the Ganga Mahal Ghat in Varanasi, about 190 years old. It lies north of the AssiGhat and is worth a look.

To have a truly fulfilling trip to Varanasi, it would help you a lot to tie up with a seasoned travel agency who can make reservations for you. One good agency is Optima Travels, known for customizing itineraries, so let them know exactly what you’re looking for in this trip.

There isn’t just a spiritual side to Varanasi; there are other aspects to it too. So, be sure of all that you want to see and do in this city so that your agent can include them in the itinerary. To make swift and firm arrangements for your upcoming trip to Varanasi, speak to optimatravels.com today.