The Magic of Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh: A Spiritual Journey

Rishikesh has been referred to as the Yoga Capital of the World, though between the asanas and the meditation halls, there is a soul-soothing ritual, which makes Rishikesh what it is: the Ganga Aarti.

Yoga is practiced on a mat; however, we think that yoga can be lived by devotion and being in touch with nature as a part of our Himalayan Yoga Hiking Retreat. The flickering lights on the sacred Ganges are a meditative experience that you will never forget after watching the film.

We are going to go into the nitty-gritty of the Ganga Aarti of Rishikesh in this blog.

What is Ganga Aarti?

Aarti is one of the essential rituals in worship in the Hindu religion. It is like offering prayer to Goddess Ganga. The reason behind this everyday ritual is simple, which means we appreciate and thank the mighty river, which is also known as the life-giving river of India.

In the procession, the priests carry huge brass lamps with ghee and camphor. They also move them in circular movements with light and gratitude to the river. It is a manner of expressing gratitude to the water that provides life, cleanses the soul, and brings calm to the earth.

Ganga Aarti, spiritual meaning.

Aarti is a Sanskrit word, Aaratrika, which has the meaning of “light-removing.” The ritual, ritually, is a depiction of removing the ignorance from our minds and realizing the inner light.

The five elements, which are Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether, are all present in the Aarti and the reminder of the fact that we are so much of this universe. To a yoga practitioner, this is a Bhakti (devotion) period where the ego is non-existent as the chants are heard.

This is where the Ganga Aarti can be viewed best.

There are places of more meaning than others, even though the ritual is carried out virtually in all ghats (steps to the river) within Rishikesh.

The Ganga Aarti of Rishikesh:

Some of the famous spots are

• Triveni Ghat
• Parmarth Niketan Ashram
• Ram Jhula Ghat
• Lakshman Jhula Ghat
• Purnanand Ghat (Janki Jhula area)
• Shatrughan Ghat
• Tapavan Ghat

Rishikesh: When to do Ganga Aarti?

There is no weather consideration; there is the Aarti that is held every day. The time is slightly different throughout the year; it is the time of sunset.

Summer: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Winter: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

The guest is never allowed to be over 30 minutes late to the ceremony since this would make him acquire a nice seat where he can sit back and enjoy the ceremony.

Experience of Evening Aarti

People from around the world come here to experience the uniqueness and calmness they feel here, with lots and lots of positive energy.

It also becomes possible for all to hear the sound of conch shells (Shankh). The priests start the chants together. The golden light is bouncing on the flowing water as the large lamps are lit. Small leaf boats (donas) covered with flowers and candles are run down the river. These few minutes of silence in the world. You are not contemplating the past or the future; you are here and now. It is what we refer to as Living Yoga.

Why Ganga Aarti Is Sacred

The Ganges is not merely a river in Indian culture; she is actually Ma Ganga (Mother Ganga). It is thought that a plunge in her waters cleanses sins. This divine energy is sacred and the reason why the Aarti is sacred. It is a pathway between the materialistic world and the spiritual world. The fire that is used in Aarti is deemed to be a purifier, and water is a symbol of movement and life. When combined, they produce a high-vibration space, which is able to heal the mind.

Ganga Aarti & Yogic Lifestyle

At Atharv Yogshala, there is a teaching that yoga is not only about physical exercise. Vairagya (detachment) and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to a higher power) are a part of the real yogic lifestyle.

Sacrificing the Ganga Aarti will assist a yoga student to build up a sense of submission. It makes us thankful for the surrounding nature. Your practice is complete when you do your morning asanas at our Himalayan Yoga Hiking Retreat and then complete your day with the Aarti. It is a balance between the physical work of hiking and yoga and the emotional relaxation of devotion.

Exploring Beyond the Aarti

Rishikesh is a gateway into the inner Himalayas, and the Ganga Aarti is just a tip of the spiritual iceberg that is awaiting you.

We do not simply hang around the city in our retreat. Our students are taken on amazing hikes to view the crude beauty of the mountains. And you will be swept away by the Devprayag Sangam, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers unite to make the Ganga, in case you find the Aarti at Parmarth Niketan to be going on.

We tend to go as far as the mountains towards the Dhari Devi Temple, the protector of the Char Dham. When we desire a physical effort with a spiritual reward, we are climbing to Chandrashila Peak and perching on the clear water of Deoria Tal. Even there, we visit the high shrine of Kartik Swami, and the view there is as divine as the poems you listen to by the ghats.

Conclusion: The Tying of the Loose Ends.

The Ganga Aarti: A Spiritual Evening That Lights Up the Soul is the ideal means to settle down after or at the end of a long hike. We experience all these in our retreat as we interconnect them.

We begin with the exercise of yoga, proceed to the physical exertion of hiking in the Himalayas, and end with the emotional outburst of the Aarti. The Chandrashila hilltop and the riverbanks of Triveni Ghat are all schools.

We do invite you to be with us at Atharv Yogshala, and this will be more of a journey that begins with a breath and ends with a prayer. May the Ganga Aarti be the lamplight in your pathway in the mountains.

Are you now ready to have the magic? Visit our Himalayan Yoga Hiking Retreat and begin your change now.