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.
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.
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